During the 1960's a group of young men, from Kingsway Chapel in Chester, decided to outreach to the young people of the city using the popular coffee bar culture and music. The outreach, under the name "Session", first ran Sunday night "meetings" in the Kingsway church building but soon out grew the facilities there. In the early days the music was provided by three men, Stan Sheward on organ, Stuart Millar on guitar and Ernest McQuoid on guitar and vocals. It was realised that to appeal to young people the music had to be upbeat and "with it" and soon the Sowers were formed with electric guitars, public address amplifiers and drums.
The line up became Stuart Millar (lead guitar), Brian Fawkes (drums), Ernest McQuoid (vocals) and Jim Porter (rhythm guitar). During the mid-sixties the Sowers acted as "house band" at Session but also travelled all over the North West of England, North Wales, Isle of Man, and Northern Ireland taking the gospel to the young people of those areas. Some highlights of those years were :-
As the "house band" for Session, a large repertoire of songs was required and the Sowers had about 120 songs they could use, from old hymns set to a beat, reworked popular songs, four part harmonies and some songs they wrote themselves. Towards the end of the '60's the group was joined by Jim McIlhiney (bass guitar) and John Humphries (12string guitar). Throughout all these years, the Sowers, were technically supported by Tony Sproston..
"Session" was a Christian Coffee Bar on a Sunday night which began in Kingsway Chapel, Newton, but relocated to the Gym at the Blue Coat School, in Northgate Street, to be more central and to accommodate the number of people attending. After a few years we moved to the Gateway Theatre on a monthly Sunday night basis. During these years, as well as performances from the Sowers, we had many guest groups and speakers. Some are mentions here :-
The Sowers broke up in the very early 1970's because of job moves, work pressures and many other factors. But hopefully seeds had been sown in the hearts of those who heard the message during those years.
Some of their songs can be listened to here.
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