A HAMPSHIRE couple will soon be learning the true meaning behind singing for your supper.

As readers may well know singing for your supper means doing something for someone else in return for something – particularly food.

And that’s just what musical duo Annie and David Tatnall will be doing at a special Victorian-themed Harvest supper.

The thanksgiving service is being held at Lockerley and East Dean War Memorial Hall tomorrow at 7.30pm.

This year is the 125th anniversary of St John’s Church in the village and Lockerley and East Dean’s Harvest Supper features by having a Victorian theme.

Annie and husband David along with two other singers will be dressed for the occasion in costumes dating back to the era when the parish church was built in 1890.

Up and down the UK, congregations have and still are marking the safe gathering in of the harvest and food gifts are brought into schools and churches and distributed amongst the most needy in communities and at Lockerley, it is no different.

Speaking in advance of Sunday’s Harvest Supper, Mr Tatnall, a tenor, said: “The songs will be cheerful and possibly rowdy, as befits a Harvest Supper.”

His wife Annie added: “People really like joining in, so there will be a number of choruses when they can sing along.”

Vicar of the Lockerley Benefice, the Revd James Pitkin said before the supper, a special harvest service will be held at St John’s Church.

It will start at 6pm and the choir of St John’s and Lockerley Silver Band will be taking part in it.

Mr Pitkin added: “The Supper is an occasion to give thanks for all that is good in life – especially the good things of this part of Hampshire.

“This is reflected in the first course of soup, which is made from vegetables grown locally, in gardens and allotments.”

He added that money collected during the service will go to the Trussell Trust’s local food banks which provides the less fortunate with food and after the church service concludes, men of the community have been invited to bring refreshments.

These include cider, bread, cakes, jams, cheese and chutney.

Mrs Tatnall will be singing again at St John’s Church on October 24.

This is to mark the 125th anniversary of St John’s and 20 years on since Romsey Male Voice Choir held its first concert in the church.

St John’s organist and choir master Ray Trickey said: “It’s a double anniversary.

“As well as the church’s 125th birthday, it’s also exactly 20 years since the Male Voice Choir had it’s very first concert.

“That was also at Lockerley church and one of the soloists back then was a very young girl called Annie Masters now Annie Tatnall.”

Annie will be performing solo and join the 50-strong Male Voice Choir for a rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone.

Tickets for the Romsey Male Voice Choir Concert are £10 and are available from Terry Morrison 01794 513015.