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History
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1852
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The first organ was presented to St Mary's by Mr Cooke of Bencroft Lodge.
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1873
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The first mention of an organist at St Mary's.
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1875
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Joseph Enos Smith was appointed organist. He died on 30 August 1930 in his 80th year, having been organist for 55 years.
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1930
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Alfred Clarke was appointed from Burton Latimer Church. He wrote a set of Kyries and a chant for the Benedictite that we still sing during Lent. He also wrote a few hymn tunes that used to be sung in St Mary's. He died at the end of the war.
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Enos Smith and Alfred Clarke held the position of organist and choirmaster, and both had pupils as assistants to play for choir practises. Cyril Cave, being a pupil of Alfred Clarke, became assistant organist soon after Alfred Clarke took over.
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1945
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Cyril Cave was appointed organist. Daisy Underwood played for a time until Cyril had left the navy.
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Up to the war, the choir had consisted of gentlemen and choirboys. During the war, when many of the men had gone off to fight, ladies were allowed to help out in the choir, but at first, they had to be hidden from view behind the choir pews and screen! After the war they were allowed to 'robe up' and wore black gowns and caps (an example is on display).
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When Cyril Cave became organist, Ernest Robinson was appointed choirmaster. He retired in the late 1960's. Cyril took over as choirmaster as well as organist for twelve months until Mrs Palmer was appointed.
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Late 1960's
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to 1972 Mrs Palmer was choir mistress.
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1972 -1993
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Frank Willmer was choirmaster.
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1985
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Cyril Cave died having been assistant organist and then organist at St Mary's for over 50 years.
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Peter Dunkley took over for a while and Leslie George was a valued deputy organist.
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1988
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Jean Wignall was appointed organist. Jean had sung with the choir for over 20 years and had been a well known local soprano soloist. Jean's maiden name was (Bennett). She had been assistant organist for 17 years. |
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Other members of the choir who have given understanding long-term service are:-
Robert Bates (45 years)
David Robinson (42 years)
Joan Walker (30 years)
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| A further eight members have been in the choir for over fifteen years. We have four couples who belong to the choir; five sets of children with parents; Rob Bates' mother, Grace, sang for many years with the choir and both his children have belonged in the past, and now his sister Jean and brother-in-law John Tombling sing with us. |
| Both Monica Trenchard's sons have sung with the choir - Ben on his holidays from singing with Peterborough Cathedral Choir, and Jon joined sixteen years ago. Her daughter, Joanna Espin, joined three years ago. |
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We also have three generations from one family singing with us. Frank Willmer's wife, Ruby, joined fifteen years ago; his daughter Anne, has been singing since 1965 with an eight year break to bring up two children Thomas and Rachel, who have now joined the choir.
Choir Director Monica Trenchard
Organist JeanWignell
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As we enter the year 2000, St Mary's Choir is still going strong. We currently number twenty six. In the past month one of our contraltos, Hilda Chettle, has retired after more than 32 years of faithful service and already this year we have welcomed two new members.
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The choir at present consists of:
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| 3 Juniors |
Thomas Firm, Natasha Bailey and Rachel Firm |
| 7 Sopranos |
Margaret Buckley, Cathy Calder, Joanna Espin, Pearl Martin, Olive Ramshaw, Joan Walker, Ruby Willmer |
| 3 Altos |
Sylvia Brandford, Anne Firm, Jean Tombling |
| 5 Tenors |
David Blandford, Philip Savage, Jonathan Trenchard, John Tombling, Michael Wadsworth |
| 7 Basses |
Robert Bates, Roger Buckley, David Clarke, Desmond Martin, David Robinson, Peter White and Peter Wright |
