The GSers met ace snapper John Watson in a churchyard somewhere in the English Midlands for a little photo shoot this week… some of the results are already adorning this website.

Many thanks to John, and the guys and a girl for making it all look suitably mournful. A fine time was had by all…

The next performance by the Graveside Serenaders will be at a private party on the estate of Peter and Emily Bacon…

They had a shed… It was rotting from poor drainage around its base coupled with inexcusable neglect on the part of the estate manager. They were going to knock it down and spend a fortune on a new shed.

But then a good friend (and drummer) named Pete, encouraged them with the words: “This shed can be saved!” And so, with the help of a terrific gardener called Ian, a  handyman called Martin went to work with wood and hammer and nails, and – Geronimo! – a once sad shed is smiling again.

Newly splashed with wood preserver and adorned with an old VW hubcap, its rebirth will be celebrated on 2 December with a grand re-opening. There will be a ribbon and a guest of honour to cut it. There may be bunting; there may be a red carpet. There will definitely be a few drinks, some hot (well, warmish) snacks for the few warmly dressed friends muttering about how cold their feet are getting.

And the Graveside Serenaders will be trying out a few new tunes, including a sea shanty, a Christmas tune or two, and possibly a new rousing sing-along finale! Look out for them appropriately positioned near the compost bins… or in the kitchen if it’s raining.

If you are a Serenaders fan and haven’t already been invited, please give us a shout!

Our good friend Andy Paterson has designed and painted (with a little help from the Very Revd J. Olly Glum) the Graveside Serenaders’ iconic instrument: the tea chest bass. And here it is in near completed state: