Sunbury Walled Gardens' tranquil beauty was disturbed only by gently falling rain on Saturday, but the rafters of the famous Millennium Embroidery Exhibition rang with reverberating sound waves emanating from Thameside Harmony Chorus.

We were honoured to be the first singers to grace this establishment thanks to the kindness of the staff who saved us from the 'raindrops falling on our heads' outside. Fortified by delicious tea and cakes from the gardens' cafe next door, Thameside gave a resounding performance to the garden visitors also sheltering from the rain, leaving the leonine guardian of the walls, all alone to survey his domain.

We began with 'One More Song', followed by a gentle selection of Beatles songs. We lulled them with 'Lullaby', soothed them with 'Always' and had them shimmying to 'Java Jive'. Some of the little children in the audience had to cover their ears when the ragtime beat was bouncing off the surfaces of this elliptical building.

Thameside Harmony are very happy to be part of Spelthorne's riverside festivities, and look forward to coming along and gathering around the lion statue or among the beautifully embroidered panels depicting scenes in Sunbury Village. Thank you for having us, we all had a very pleasant afternoon.