Clare Oliver

MD Andover Ladies, Hampshire Harmony and Farleigh School Chapel Choirs, Singing and piano teacher, Soprano, VHFA, prolific reader, spaniel lover and family girl

[Clare Oliver @ClareFOliver]

@arealmofwonder A

[Clare Oliver @ClareFOliver]

@CarlBovisNature The thrush

[Clare Oliver @ClareFOliver]

@OrganistBarbie Yay! Hope you continue to feel brighter ☀️

[Clare Oliver @ClareFOliver]

@EllaBeard11 They are stunning!🤩

[Clare Oliver @ClareFOliver]

@arealmofwonder Wow!

[Clare Oliver @ClareFOliver]

@OrganistBarbie After two??

[Clare Oliver @ClareFOliver]

@HelenaDix Gosh! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[AndoverLadiesChoir @AndoverLadies]

We’re still on a high from last week’s concert @TheLights to help support @ParkinsonsUK ! Back to rehearsal tonight- our amazing Founder & MD @ClareFOliver has plans for 2026….See you for our Christmas concerts too! 💖

[Clare Oliver @ClareFOliver]

@arealmofwonder Excellent word!

[Caroline Farrow @CF_Farrow]

A little story about M&S vs Waitrose - and how kindness wins.

On Monday I went to M&S to order sandwich platters for a parish event this weekend. They’re easier to drive to and park at than my local Waitrose.

But the assistant told me their ordering system was still down due to the recent security breach.

“That’s a shame,” I said. “I’ll pop to Waitrose instead.”

“No, don’t do that!” she replied. “Come back Saturday evening — we’ll have platters left. I’ll put some aside for you.” She took my name and assured me it was sorted.

Saturday evening: I turn up. No platters. None. Nada. 🤯

Panic mode.

I drove to another M&S. One lonely 14-piece platter left. I grabbed it. Still nowhere near enough.

On a whim, I went to Waitrose, praying they might have had a cancelled order.

I explained everything to the customer service desk. The supervisor, John, told me they don’t sell sandwich platters off the shelf and had nothing available.

“Fair enough,” I said. “Can’t believe M&S let me down.”

Then John said something remarkable:

“Tell you what. Grab a basket, take as many sandwiches as you need. I’ll authorise them for free so you don’t have to pay.”

I was stunned. “That’s incredibly kind, but really — there’s no need. I’m happy to pay, I just regret not coming to you first.”

He insisted. Walked to the fridge section with me. I was picking out basics, trying not to take the mick — but he was the one loading up the trolley. Sandwiches. Wraps. Enough to feed a parish.

No fuss. Just generosity.

That small act of kindness turned a stressful evening into something beautiful. And now a whole community knows about it.

Waitrose: you rock.
M&S: maybe don’t make promises you can’t keep.

[Clare Oliver @ClareFOliver]

@HelenaDix I’d have never got that!

[Clare Oliver @ClareFOliver]

@HelenaDix Falstaff?

[Clare Oliver @ClareFOliver]

@arealmofwonder Take care, Cian 😊

[Clare Oliver @ClareFOliver]

@arealmofwonder Been madly teaching and gigging but have now more time to relax 🎉
Hope all well with you, Cian!

[AndoverLadiesChoir @AndoverLadies]

A great reason to support our concert and help raise money for @ParkinsonsUK from one of our choir!
Tickets on the door tonight as well as at

https://t.co/X6EEjqbyKJ

[Clare Oliver @ClareFOliver]

@MDbrunch @jeremy @ollie @jim @JULIET Can’t wait!🎶

[Clare Oliver @ClareFOliver]

@petemorristwit Many, but definitely mine: conductor, solo singer and singing teacher 🎼

[Clare Oliver @ClareFOliver]

@arealmofwonder I am!! Hope you are too, Cian!