Community Partners

ONE OF THE WAYS in which we support our community is by forming partnerships with other community-minded organisations, usually by providing a base location from which they may conduct all or a part of their activities

On this page you will find information regarding some of these organisations. To jump to a specific organisation please click one of the links below.

London Docklands Singers

Millwall Bangladeshi Association

London Docklands Singers

IN LATE 1992, Andrew Campling directed eight singers in the first rehearsal of the then Docklands Singers at Christ Church on the Isle of Dogs. Due to the ever-changing population of London's Docklands, only one original founder remains, namely Andrew himself. The choir was founded with the aim of providing classical music of a high artistic standard at affordable prices. The support of the London Docklands Development Corporation in the early years was invaluable, yet even after its demise and with the help of current sponsors and supporters; tickets still rarely exceed £10.

The inclusive joining policy of the London Docklands Singers welcomes experienced choristers and sight-singers as well as those with more limited skills and experience. Nowadays, LDS have c.50 registered members aged between 20 and 70, with as many established 'Eastenders' and Docklands residents as singers from further afield. In addition, LDS can call on some 45 former members and singers from other choirs as associate singers where needed. A high level of commitment, enthusiasm, mutual support and a friendly atmosphere ensure that all singers attain the musical standard required to perform in concert and produce the engaging performances for which LDS have become known.

LDS give three to four concerts each year, accompanied by their orchestra, the Marcel Sinfonia, mainly in Docklands. The choir predominantly performs sacred classical music including such works as Handel's Messiah, Bach's Passions and the Mass in B Minor, Mozart's Requiem and Dvorak's Te Deum but concerts have also features folksong and music from opera and Broadway musicals. LDS organise charity concerts when funds allow, regularly taking part in the worldwide 'Voices for Hospices' concerts in aid of local hospices and organising Christmas events in aid of the homeless charity CRISIS every winter.

In 2005, the London Docklands Singers joined the London Chorus and the New London Orchestra under conductor Ronald Corp for a performance of Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius at St Paul's Cathedral. "I was greatly privileged to celebrate my 80th birthday with a performance of Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius at St Paul's Cathedral" remarked Canon Eric James, who had invited LDS to join the performance after hearing their performance of Bach's Mass in B Minor in 2004. The choir was especially delighted to have been invited to perform at St Paul's as the former Musical Director to St Paul's, John Scott (now at St Thomas's in New York) and the Bishop of London, the Rt Revd Richard Chartres, are both LDS patrons.

For further information, please e-mail lds.info@virgin.net

Millwall Bangladeshi Association

THE ISLE OF DOGS is one of the true cosmopolitan areas of London being the home for people of many countries, cultures and faiths. One such community is the Bangladeshi community in the Millwall area of the island. The Millwall Bangladeshi Association was established with the objective of advancing the educational, social welfare, cultural, spiritual and recreational needs of this Bangladeshi community.

The Millwall Bangladeshi Association run several activities including Supplementary School's classes, youth activities and women's activities. Friday prayers are held in St Luke's Church Hall on Fridays.

In autumn 2004, the Millwall Bangladeshi Association entered into partnership with the parish and started using St Luke's Hall for Friday prayers and young people's programmes. This active relationship has led to the setting up of a monthly Christian-Muslim dialogue group and planning joint community activities.