The sun shone on the righteous this morning… no, not the band, but the good burghers and burghesses of Lichfield who passed along Dam Street (yes, there was a busker already at our favoured spot in Market Street, and a very accomplished busker by all accounts) and chose to add their contributions to our hat box. Most generous they were.

Of course this could be because we now make clear that all donations will be forwarded to Crisis, the charity aiming to eradicate homelessness in our wealthy first-world country, rather than the Serenaders themselves. We’re more obviously not middle-class beggars now, in other words.

And the band were in particularly fine form, overcoming various age-linked ailments and musical limitations as they so often need to do in order to comment on a smelly bit of roadkill, celebrate a beautiful morning, identify a source of sunshine, imitate wayfaring strangers, as well as knocking (or, more correctly, knockin’) on heaven’s door, imploring the same burghers and burghesses to enjoy themselves (for it is later than they think) and bidding goodnight to Irene.

“You’ve all acquitted yourselves to the very best of your abilities. Well done,” The Rev J. Olly Glum could be heard muttering afterwards in his usual pompous and patronising fashion.

The band’s accountant is pleased to report that a total of £102 and 3 pence, plus a metal token bearing the word Calabria, found its way into the hatbox, and, with the exception of the token, will be sent on to Crisis without delay. And many thanks to Kevin Terry who volunteered to take some pictures without having to be asked.