Songways singing week on Lundy

A singing week on Lundy, a unique island off the North Devon coast - a glorious, remote and tranquil place, set apart from the mainland world. We will sing each day in different places around the island including the top of the Old Light and the newly restored church, with also plenty of free time to explore and relax. Led by Jane Harris, Director of Songways.

PRICE £800 - £930 depending on accommodation - full details below | INCLUDES all singing tuition, seven nights accommodation on Lundy, two-course meals in the Marisco Tavern on three evenings - Saturday, Sunday and Friday | EXCLUDES transport to and from Lundy.

DEPOSIT £200 (non-refundable - see below for details)

BALANCE If you have booked and paid your deposit, Jane will be in touch in due course with an Access Code to pay the balance.

Here's what singers said about our Lundy singing week in 2022:

The most wonderful week
Great leadership, skilled teaching and extraordinary enthusiasm from Jane which inspired us all
Outstanding organisation and great accommodation
Led with such warmth, sense of inclusion and generosity of spirit
Excellent balance of structured and free time
An unforgettable experience

Jane explains some of Lundy's magic:

Lundy has no cars, so from the moment you step onto the island, life moves at walking pace. Only three miles long & half a mile wide, it is a place of immense natural beauty & amazing contrasts. I first visited Lundy with my family twenty years ago and fell in love with the island. We have returned many times and are still discovering new delights. It is a very creative place for me and is where many of my own compositions have begun.

My favourite place is the top of the Old Light, where we will gather to sing with a 360 degree view of the whole island... magical at any time of the day. We will sing in the church, the tavern & the houses in which we will stay. I will also lead singing walks to sing in wonderful spots around the island including the atmospheric VC Quarry on the sheltered East side.

Lundy’s beauty, community and way of life make a world apart. Join us for a truly memorable week.

Please note:

• You will need good walking shoes or boots and waterproofs.
• You will need to be physically mobile to enjoy the island to the full.
• There is a half mile uphill walk from the jetty to the village when you arrive. Your main luggage will be delivered to your accommodation but you will need to walk up with your hand luggage.
• The Old Light has 147 steep steps and we will sing at the top!

More about Lundy

REPERTOIRE

The repertoire will include songs from a wide range of harmony singing traditions, including original songs by Jane inspired by Lundy, evocative English and Celtic folk songs, American harmony songs, songs of the sea, South African choruses. Many of the songs will reflect the natural beauty of the island. Songs will be taught by ear. A specially produced songbook will include lyrics for all the songs and some scores.

TYPICAL DAY

We will typically sing together each morning, have afternoons free and sing again for an hour or so before or after dinner, usually at the top of the Old Light. We will sing in the newly restored church, in sheltered spots on singing walks around the island including the natural amphitheatre of the VC Quarry, at the top of the Old Light with a 360 degree view of the island, and in the amazingly resonant stairwell of the Old Light tower. We will give an informal concert in the church on the Thursday afternoon for both staying and day visitors. It's also fun to sing in the Tavern some evenings - Jane will bring her violin - if you play an instrument, do bring it with you to play together. 

We will be flexible to make the most of the weather, to give you the chance to join some of the Warden events if you wish to and to have time to walk, relax and enjoy the peace and freedom of the island. There will be one free day during the week and our departure day, Saturday 6 July will also be a free day.

TUTOR

Jane Harris is an inspiring choir leader and Director of Songways, based in Bath, UK. Jane teaches by ear and loves to explore songs in different ways to enrich and deepen the singing experience. She has a clear, inclusive and enabling teaching style, uncovers the best in singers’ voices and draws people together with heartfelt, resonant singing.

Jane also plays the violin, which she will use to introduce some of the songs. She has a rich, vibrant voice and has released an album of her own songs, inspired by the natural world – One touch of nature. Jane performs with her own vocal group, Rolling Harmony.

A brilliant choir leader – always patient, positive and encouraging
Superb choice of songs & inspirational leadership

ACCOMMODATION

All 23 self-catering properties on the island are run by the Landmark Trust, a charity that rescues important buildings that would otherwise be lost and gives them new life as exceptional places to stay. The Landmark Trust has managed Lundy for 50 years, restoring the buildings & infrastructure, all in a distinctive way.

We will stay in Old House South, Government House, The Quarters, Old House North, Bramble Villa East, Bramble Villa West, the Radio Room and Old Light Cottage. As with all Landmarks, every Lundy property is simply but elegantly furnished in a way that reflects its individuality. Historic paintings and photographs are carefully selected, as are the small libraries in the bookcases. There are no televisions or Wifi in the properties and the electric supply is usually turned off between midnight and 6am. There is some mobile phone coverage around the island and limited public Wifi is accessible in the church.

Old House South is an elegant and spacious house for five in a superb position in the heart of the village, with stunning views and its own terrace.
1 double bedroom £870 per person
1 twin bedroom £850 per person
1 single bedroom £900

Government House is a handsome house for five beautifully situated just below the village. It has spacious and elegant rooms all with sea views.
1 double en-suite bedroom £890 per person
1 twin bedroom £850 per person
1 single bedroom £900

The Quarters is a simple wooden building, comfortably furnished for five with a spacious, light living room and a maritime feel. It enjoys one of the best views of the island to the church and beyond to Hartland Point in one direction and to the Old Light in the other.
1 double bedroom £820 per person
1 twin bedroom £820 per person
1 single bedroom £880

Bramble Villa East and Bramble Villa West are two halves of a simple wooden villa each for up to four people well-situated in St John's Valley. A five minute walk up to the Tavern and shop.

Bramble Villa East
1 double bedroom with sea view £820 per person
1 twin bedroom with sea view £820 per person

Bramble Villa West
1 double bedroom £800 per person
1 twin bedroom £800 per person

Old House North is a very comfortable property for two in a superb position in the heart of the village, with beautiful sea views.
1 twin bedroom in own house £900 per person

The Radio Room is a cosy self-contained property for one person in the heart of the village within the same courtyard as Old House South and Old House North. Close to the Tavern, church and shop. £930

Old Light Cottage was the lighthouse keepers’ store, and is a self-contained property for one person. It stands close to the Old Light with a wonderful view to the north of the island. 10 minutes walk from the Tavern, church and shop £930

FOOD

The Marisco Tavern serves excellent food. We will eat there on the Saturday, Sunday & Friday evenings, which is included in the singing retreat. Monday to Thursday evening meal arrangements will be flexible - you can choose to eat in the Tavern or cook in your own house or cottage. Breakfasts and lunches will be self-catering or you can visit the Tavern. The island shop is excellent.

GETTING TO LUNDY

During the summer season, the Island’s own supply ship and ferry, the MS Oldenburg departs several times a week from either Bideford or Ilfracombe. Our sailings will be:

Saturday 29 June | Depart from Ilfracombe at 10am (Check in at Lundy Shore Office 9am)

Saturday 6 July | Arrive back at Bideford at 6pm

Please note:

• You will need to book your own boat ticket by calling the Lundy Shore Office (01271) 863636. Timetable and ticket prices | Further MS Oldenburg information
• You will need to make your own way to Ilfracombe for the boat. You may choose to stay overnight on Friday 28 June to be ready for the 9am check-in at the Shore Office.
• The Lundy Shore Office can recommend suitable parking arrangements for your car in Ilfracombe while you are on Lundy.
• On Saturday 6 July, a coach will be provided by the Landmark Trust to transport you from Bideford back to Ilfracombe. You will need to book the coach when you book your boat ticket.
• If the boat is cancelled due to weather conditions, transport is likely to be by helicopter from Hartland Point, with a supplement payable. Further details

MORE INFORMATION about staying on Lundy

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Do not attend if you have any Covid-19 symptoms or a recent positive Covid test, or if you feel unwell.

CANCELLATION POLICY

£200 deposit is non-refundable*

If you cancel after you have paid your balance but before 14 May and we are able to fill the space with another person, we will refund 50% of your balance. If your place is not filled, no refund will be paid.

If you cancel after 14 May, no refund will paid.

*Exceptional circumstances:

• If the singing week cannot take place due to UK government Covid restrictions (e.g. if Lundy is closed to visitors or if it is not permitted to share accommodation with someone from a different household) you would be offered a refund of your deposit and balance minus £50 (to cover the organisation and administration costs involved).

We strongly recommend that you take out your own travel insurance.

DISCLAIMER
 You will be responsible for your own health and safety at all times.

REVIEW of the 2022 Songways Singing on Lundy week