Nigel Hess (1991)

The journey begins at the source of the River Thames at Kemble in Wiltshire, first with just a few drops of water, but gaining strength as the flow starts. A horn solo introduces the main theme, based on an old Wiltshire melody “Through the Groves”, which dates back to the eighteenth century. A solo trumpet announces that the voyage has well and truly begun, and very soon we cross into Oxfordshire, passing close to the village of Brampton – where morris dancing was invented, with its jingles and stamping sticks. Along the river we can glimpse many Elizabethan manor-houses, and, at Godstow we pause to view the nunnery, founded in 1133, hearing an ancient plainsong melody, “Domino”, from the school of Notre Dame in about 1200. Then Oxford itself, with its dreaming spires and steeple bells, and the abbey at Abingdon.

The World Poohsticks Championships are held on the river at Little Wittenham, an event to which trombones and tubas pay tribute. As we cross borders again into Berkshire, an old folk tune of that county, although of Irish origin, is heard – “The Pride of Kildare”. A well-known boating-song intrudes, reminding us of halcyon days spent in Henley, but soon we arrive at Windsor with “Here’s a Health unto His Majesty” a popular song during the reign of Charles II. Passing Runnymede, where the Magna Carta was signed in 1215, we sight Hampton Court and hear Henry VIII’s gentle “Greensleeves”. Rounding a bend in the river, “The Lass of Richmond Hill” greets us with a broad smile. As we sail through Barnes, the house where composer Gustav Holst lived is spotted closely followed by Miss Pinkerton’s Academy (from “Vanity Fair”) at Hammersmith. A wave to Lambeth, and Big Ben hoves majestically into view. Nostalgically we remember London Bridge before arriving at Greenwich, starting-point of many a heroic voyage, and we hear the sailors’ hymn “Eternal Father, Strong to Save”. Smelling the salt in the air, we can sense the open sea and as the journey reaches its end and the pier at Southend comes and goes, our Wiltshire melody sweeps out to meet the ocean. The Thames Journey is complete.