Hazel Ricketts
@ricketts.bsky.social
Church Musician, Peripatetic music teacher, choral conductor, owned by 3 cats, a dog, & teenage children!
Not a bad view from my usual seat for evensong at Salisbury Cathedral. This is the south case of the Father Willis organ which dates from 1876 & is basically unaltered. A privilege to hear it so often especially when in the hands of @johnorganist.bsky.social who knows it so well.
September 19, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Not a bad view from my usual seat for evensong at Salisbury Cathedral. This is the south case of the Father Willis organ which dates from 1876 & is basically unaltered. A privilege to hear it so often especially when in the hands of @johnorganist.bsky.social who knows it so well.
Reposted by Hazel Ricketts
Pet parrots which typically live alone (whilst those in the wild live in large flocks) were given the technology to call each other. They would use it for up to three hours a day, and developed favourite friends 💔
on.ft.com/3K05vhS
on.ft.com/3K05vhS
September 12, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Pet parrots which typically live alone (whilst those in the wild live in large flocks) were given the technology to call each other. They would use it for up to three hours a day, and developed favourite friends 💔
on.ft.com/3K05vhS
on.ft.com/3K05vhS
When off work, feeling lousy thanks to a stomach bug cats can be great company. Keep one warm too! This was Piccolo & Duo's self appointed nursing job earlier in the week...
September 12, 2025 at 10:02 AM
When off work, feeling lousy thanks to a stomach bug cats can be great company. Keep one warm too! This was Piccolo & Duo's self appointed nursing job earlier in the week...
Photos of @salisburycathedral.bsky.social from Tuesday. My dog walk, just outside, and inside when suddenly there was nobody in sight for a moment!
August 28, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Photos of @salisburycathedral.bsky.social from Tuesday. My dog walk, just outside, and inside when suddenly there was nobody in sight for a moment!
Duo hasn't been allowed out for 10 days following a minor injury. He isn't impressed, but has finally settled in the sun. Cats manage to look like they are relaxing every single muscle and may just "pour" off the chair by mistake don't they?!
July 24, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Duo hasn't been allowed out for 10 days following a minor injury. He isn't impressed, but has finally settled in the sun. Cats manage to look like they are relaxing every single muscle and may just "pour" off the chair by mistake don't they?!
Out around 5.30am this morning before it was too hot for the dog. Salisbury Cathedral looked like this...
July 10, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Out around 5.30am this morning before it was too hot for the dog. Salisbury Cathedral looked like this...
Quick photo yesterday when dropping my lucky 16yr old off for work experience. Yes this is Salisbury Cathedral! Thanks to @johnorganist.bsky.social & colleagues for giving her a fascinating couple of days "behind the scenes".
June 20, 2025 at 6:26 AM
Quick photo yesterday when dropping my lucky 16yr old off for work experience. Yes this is Salisbury Cathedral! Thanks to @johnorganist.bsky.social & colleagues for giving her a fascinating couple of days "behind the scenes".
Having chased off the pigeon that had the audacity to land in HER garden, and drink from... "oh! I had forgotten this water bowl!" aka the birdbath, Solo sat on guard to make sure no other creatures were going to make the same mistake!
June 17, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Having chased off the pigeon that had the audacity to land in HER garden, and drink from... "oh! I had forgotten this water bowl!" aka the birdbath, Solo sat on guard to make sure no other creatures were going to make the same mistake!
Two photos of Salisbury Cathedral at dawn at 4.30am a couple of days ago. This view is from my house!
June 13, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Two photos of Salisbury Cathedral at dawn at 4.30am a couple of days ago. This view is from my house!
Quick photo of Salisbury Cathedral after evensong last night.
June 4, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Quick photo of Salisbury Cathedral after evensong last night.
When Piccolo turned up as a tiny scared feral kitten I was worried Solo & Duo wouldn't accept her. Solo cuddles & mother's her & Duo plays with her (piccolo is under that blanket!)... I hadn't been intending to get a 3rd cat but I'm so glad she found us.
May 21, 2025 at 10:48 AM
When Piccolo turned up as a tiny scared feral kitten I was worried Solo & Duo wouldn't accept her. Solo cuddles & mother's her & Duo plays with her (piccolo is under that blanket!)... I hadn't been intending to get a 3rd cat but I'm so glad she found us.
The bride has her heart set on this. The organ is notoriously unreliable, esp the pedals. What is your answer? Mine was my 16yr old (organist) daughter page turning, stop pulling, & playing the pedal part on the manuals!
And yes, I paid her for her contribution - much to her delight!
And yes, I paid her for her contribution - much to her delight!
May 17, 2025 at 3:36 PM
The bride has her heart set on this. The organ is notoriously unreliable, esp the pedals. What is your answer? Mine was my 16yr old (organist) daughter page turning, stop pulling, & playing the pedal part on the manuals!
And yes, I paid her for her contribution - much to her delight!
And yes, I paid her for her contribution - much to her delight!
At this time of the year, the last rays of the setting sun reflect off the tower windows of Salisbury Cathedral. This makes it look like the tower is on fire! Rest assured it isn't!
May 12, 2025 at 10:03 AM
At this time of the year, the last rays of the setting sun reflect off the tower windows of Salisbury Cathedral. This makes it look like the tower is on fire! Rest assured it isn't!
I live in a city. But that city is Salisbury which has 5 rivers, water meadows, and a cathedral. Therefore views like this are pretty normal! Salisbury is not your average city!
May 1, 2025 at 3:47 PM
I live in a city. But that city is Salisbury which has 5 rivers, water meadows, and a cathedral. Therefore views like this are pretty normal! Salisbury is not your average city!
Menopause is starting to be a more open subject generally, and hopefully the impact of this change on the voice will become as mainstream and as well understood as that which happens in teenage years.
Revisiting some writing this morning reminded me that I've got exciting things to share in the next Singing Through Menopause newsletter. Sign up and find more information on resources that are currently available here:
www.kathleencronie.com/copy-of-sing...
www.kathleencronie.com/copy-of-sing...
April 24, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Menopause is starting to be a more open subject generally, and hopefully the impact of this change on the voice will become as mainstream and as well understood as that which happens in teenage years.
Salisbury cathedral a few days ago.
April 24, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Salisbury cathedral a few days ago.
Brave little Piccolo cat in the garden! No beetle or spider is safe!
April 11, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Brave little Piccolo cat in the garden! No beetle or spider is safe!
Wareham Choral Society and Quayside Choir, Saturday 29th March. Looking forward to conducting this!
March 24, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Wareham Choral Society and Quayside Choir, Saturday 29th March. Looking forward to conducting this!
Something else I enjoy doing is baking. My son's 18th birthday cake is a recent "bake".
March 14, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Something else I enjoy doing is baking. My son's 18th birthday cake is a recent "bake".
My little Piccolo: I think the terrified wild hissing feral kitten has discovered the joys of a lap and fuss! Yes she was purring loudly. She is now about 5 months old probably maybe! And seems very pleased to be domesticated!
March 8, 2025 at 7:22 PM
My little Piccolo: I think the terrified wild hissing feral kitten has discovered the joys of a lap and fuss! Yes she was purring loudly. She is now about 5 months old probably maybe! And seems very pleased to be domesticated!
Reposted by Hazel Ricketts
From the current Private Eye. My Irony Meter may be about to overheat...
March 7, 2025 at 4:26 PM
From the current Private Eye. My Irony Meter may be about to overheat...
A "eureka!" moment today for a 2ndry aged pupil recently diagnosed with dyslexia. Suddenly, after years, she can see how the notes are on different lines etc & therefore how reading music works. "I feel like I could play anything!". Some days I love my job!
March 7, 2025 at 2:29 PM
A "eureka!" moment today for a 2ndry aged pupil recently diagnosed with dyslexia. Suddenly, after years, she can see how the notes are on different lines etc & therefore how reading music works. "I feel like I could play anything!". Some days I love my job!
A different view of my favourite window at St Mary's Church, Fordingbridge, after today's service. I love the way the stonework is lit up.
March 2, 2025 at 11:55 AM
A different view of my favourite window at St Mary's Church, Fordingbridge, after today's service. I love the way the stonework is lit up.
Salisbury Cathedral from the cloisters earlier today.
February 27, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Salisbury Cathedral from the cloisters earlier today.
Reposted by Hazel Ricketts
MUM: Let’s call him Ian
DAD: I prefer Greg
MUM: Ian
DAD: Greg
MUM: Ian!
DAD: Greg!
MUM: Give me an I! Give me an A! Give me an N! Ian!
DAD: Greg, Greg, Greg! Oi, oi, oi!
MUM: What do we want? Ian! When do we want it? Now!
DAD: Let’s go Greggg! Let’s go! Let’s go Greggg! Let’s go!
(Gregorian chants)
DAD: I prefer Greg
MUM: Ian
DAD: Greg
MUM: Ian!
DAD: Greg!
MUM: Give me an I! Give me an A! Give me an N! Ian!
DAD: Greg, Greg, Greg! Oi, oi, oi!
MUM: What do we want? Ian! When do we want it? Now!
DAD: Let’s go Greggg! Let’s go! Let’s go Greggg! Let’s go!
(Gregorian chants)
February 24, 2025 at 2:28 PM
MUM: Let’s call him Ian
DAD: I prefer Greg
MUM: Ian
DAD: Greg
MUM: Ian!
DAD: Greg!
MUM: Give me an I! Give me an A! Give me an N! Ian!
DAD: Greg, Greg, Greg! Oi, oi, oi!
MUM: What do we want? Ian! When do we want it? Now!
DAD: Let’s go Greggg! Let’s go! Let’s go Greggg! Let’s go!
(Gregorian chants)
DAD: I prefer Greg
MUM: Ian
DAD: Greg
MUM: Ian!
DAD: Greg!
MUM: Give me an I! Give me an A! Give me an N! Ian!
DAD: Greg, Greg, Greg! Oi, oi, oi!
MUM: What do we want? Ian! When do we want it? Now!
DAD: Let’s go Greggg! Let’s go! Let’s go Greggg! Let’s go!
(Gregorian chants)