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A hymn-tune written by the Rev'd John Hartley, vicar of Eccleshill, has been placed runner-up in a nationwide competition organised by the Settle Methodist Circuit. The winning entries were announced at St John's Settle on Friday 9th November.
Entrants were asked to write a tune to be called "Charles Wesley", in honour of the 300th anniversary of the hymn-writer's birth. "Charles Wesley didn't write tunes", says John Hartley, "and most of his well-known hymns also have well-known tunes. So I decided I would first write some words in the style of Charles Wesley, and then write a tune to match them." (In fact John was not allowed to enter the words for the competition!)
"The Settle Methodist Circuit's Annual Hymn Festival is about encouraging our members to join in singing together," said Jane Mansergh, organiser of the competition. "We need opportunities to come together and celebrate our rich heritage of hymns, and we have found these festivals very helpful. The competitions have been a lovely way of involving both local and national hymn-writers in our celebrations."
Although the performance of the running-up entries was not on the programme, those who attended the service at St John's Settle were treated to an impromptu rendering of "Hark! All creation stands in awe" after the service finished. The words and music can be found at http://www27.brinkster.com/johnhartley/music/song--137.html .
For more information contact:
John Hartley
