Church Events

Harold Cordell

Mr Music Hall – Harold Cordell (1931-2018)

3rd Sep '24
Harold Cordell
Harold Cordell

In 1957, Harold Crump joined a local group of amateur entertainers “The Young Revellers” run by Madge Moon. The group’s first public show ‘The Mad March Hare’ was at the newly built Upwey and Broadwey Memorial Hall on Friday 1st March that year. Harold’s debut performance was a solo comedy sketch “Life On The Railway”.

Harold went on to appear in many of Madge Moon’s shows, adding comedy mime and ventriloquism to his repertoire. During this time, Harold got to know fellow performer Douglas Thorne and they occasionally performed as a comedy double act.

In 1968, Harold presented his first Pavilion show “June Revels”.

Following ‘June Revels’ success, Harold was invited  to compere the Sunday night Pavilion shows during the 1968 summer season. The theatre manager suggested a stage name for Harold and so from July 7th onwards, Harold’s stage name would be Harold Cordell. As well as compering, Harold also performed his ventriloquist routine in some of the shows. Some of the artists that featured in that summer season were Tony Melody, Dick Emery, Arthur English, Ray Allan, Acker Bilk, Billy J. Kramer and Nancy Whiskey.

In 1972 and 1973, Harold and Douglas Thorne presented  ‘Variety Ahoy’ and ‘Variety Showtime’ at the Pavilion featuring local entertainers. Following the success of these shows and at the suggestion of Bill Duxbury, a friend from the days of “The Young Revellers”, Harold decided to try an Old Time Music Hall format for his next show on Friday 4th October 1974. The Music Hall was intended as a one off but was so successful that Harold kept the Music Hall format for all his subsequent Pavilion shows.

Each year’s show was a success and in 1977 there was such a demand for tickets that 1978 saw two nights of Music Hall which then continued each year. The 10th anniversary show was a sell out; 1986 and 1989 saw history made for the Pavilion with Royal guests of honour; the 20th anniversary show featured special guest star Don Maclean and in 1994 the show sold out four nights in a row as part of  Weymouth’s 50th anniversary commemorations of the D-Day landings.

The shows continued annually until 2007. A change of format was planned for his next show. Several ideas were discussed but that new show idea didn’t happen and Harold never organised any further shows at the Pavilion.

Throughout those 39 years of Pavilion shows Harold raised an amount, when adjusted for today’s value, of over £256,000 for local and national charities and he gave many local entertainers their first chance of performing in a prestigious 1,000 seat theatre. Harold flew the flag for Old Time Music Hall and kept the songs of that era alive with shows that were regularly supported by an audience who dressed for the occasion in Music Hall era attire! What would end up being Harold’s final Pavilion show rounded off his part in six decades of local entertainment that will always be an important part of Weymouth’s wonderful ‘Showbiz History’.

The local press affectionately referred to Harold as Weymouth’s ‘Mr Music Hall’.                       

For Harold, there could be no greater accolade.

by Brian Crump

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CELEBRATING LOVE AT HOLY TRINITY -  THE HARBOURSIDE CHURCH

CELEBRATING LOVE AT HOLY TRINITY –  THE HARBOURSIDE CHURCH

24th Jul '24

We were delighted that Donna and Chris chose our beautiful church, for their special day.

The images show a perfect example of how doing things ‘you won way’ can be the making of magical memories!

The happy couple, have spent each summer for many years on holiday at Weymouth, and with the annual trip, to their favourite holiday apartment which overlooked our magnificent church – they’d always dreamed one day of being married here.

As they live in Warrington, the best option was to book the church for a blessing ceremony. So they got married in a simple registry office service, then planned the special day with their 2 boys, making the wedding a very special occasion.

Rev Juliet was over the moon to help them make the day as memorable as possible. There were even some holiday makers sitting at the back, taking in the occasion…..there was plenty of spare confetti and rice, to make the happy couples day just perfect!

If you would like to have a similar celebration, perhaps a wedding blessing, renewal of vows or indeed a wedding…get in touch! 

We would LOVE to celebrate YOUR LOVE!!!

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D Day Celebration

Celebrating D Day

3rd Jul '24

Saturday 08th June saw us celebrating D Day with a fun quiz night, lots of dressing up and a food theme in line with D Day.

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Weymouth Folk Festival

Weymouth Folk Festival

3rd Jul '24

Sunday 2nd June saw us celebrate the folk festival that was in town with a wonderful service of celebration.

Weymouth Folk Festival
Weymouth Folk Festival
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pentecost

Pentecost at Holy Trinity

31st May '24

On the 19th May we celebrated Pentecost with Rev Juliet including in her sermon about how one of our congregation who is from Uzbekistan must find it difficult to understand what is happening during the service which can be related to the story of Pentecost. We have now produced a service sheet and readings in Russian. We also had a visit from a Pentecostal parrot which made a guest appearance during the sermon speaking in “so called tongues”.

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Holy Trinity Patronal Festival

Holy Trinity Patronal Festival

30th May '24

On the 26th May we celebrated the Feast of the Holy Trinity with one of our old vicars Richard Franklin returning to preach. It was lovely to welcome him back with an excellent sermon and following our 1000 service we all stopped for a bring and share lunch to celebrate ours and Alison’s birthdays. It was a wonderful festive time and enjoyed by all.

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St George's Day service

Former Scout to attend St George’s Day Service in Weymouth

23rd Apr '24

From the Dorset Echo,

One of the last recipients of a royal award will be a guest at a St George’s Day service in Weymouth this Sunday.

Peter Poyser, 89, is a member of the Holy Trinity Church in Weymouth and Rev Juliet Stephenson has invited him to lead the procession of colours at this Sunday’s parade service from the church at 3pm.

He is one of the last ever boys to have received the King’s Scout award from our previous King. In July 1951, Peter aged 16, travelled to Hampton Court Palace to be given the accolade by King George VI.

Read the full article on The Dorset Echo website

Former scout to attend St George’s Day service in Weymouth

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Palm Sunday

Easter Celebrations at Holy Trinity

6th Apr '24

Following our Lent fasting and reflections.

We began Holy week on Palm Sunday where we celebrated Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. With the church decorated with beautiful palms and a procession with donkeys. We got the chance to meet Annie and Dainty at the end of the service and have our photos taken and treat them to a few carrots.

Thank you so much to Mel from West Hill Donkeys for bringing her beautiful girls along. We loved having you.

Maundy Thursday Rev Juliet and some of us attended the Chrism Eucharist at Salisbury Cathedral which was a beautiful service led by Bishop Stephen.

Thursday evening we held our washing of feet and stripping of the altar with communion followed by the watch.

Good Friday was a a busy solemn day for us. Starting with an 0800 Mass of the Pre-Sanctified followed by Good Friday activities for children and their families including the making of our Easter Garden.

We concluded Good Friday with Silent Devotions and the last hour at the foot of the Cross.

Saturday evening we held a vigil and service of light with a bonfire and renewal of our baptismal vows.

Easter Sunday we celebrated our risen Lord Jesus with a full Sung Eucharist followed by champagne and smoked salmon.

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First Sunday of Lent

First Sunday of Lent

19th Feb '24

“Holy Trinity do it different”

Due to a power cut across Weymouth the 0800 service was without lights, so we improvised with loads of candles and it turned out to be a very atmospheric service which everyone really enjoyed and got into the spirit of.

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Shrove Tuesday Pancake Party

16th Feb '24

In preparation of Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent we held a pancake party and beetle drive.

We held two rounds of beetle drive with pancakes in between.  Rev Juliet and Churchwarden Philippa were busy in the kitchen cooking and serving pancakes which were delicious and everyone tucked into.

Alyson was busy keeping us all under control whilst we were beetle driving.  Got to say some of us did get a bit competitive.

It was a great night and much fun was had by all.

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