St. Mary's and St. Agnes' 
St.Mary's Choir
I can go back to 1969, when I joined the choir as a boy. The choir stalls were full of men and boys. Where most of the members were fathers and sons. There were two choir practices a week, as the boys had a separate practice.
The then Organist and Leader was Mr.Thomas Stonham. We sung many anthems in those days, the following list :
- I was Glad By Sir.G. Elvly
- Zadok The Priest By G.H.Handel
- Thou Visitest The Earth By Dr.Greene
- Great Is The Lord and Marvelous By Bruce Steane
- O Gladsome Light By A.Sullivan
- Christ The Lord Is Risen Again By Eric Thimen
- Turn Thy Face From My Sins By Thomas Attwood
- I Am Alpha and Omega By J.Stainer
- The Wilderness By Sir.G.Goss
- If Ye Love Me By E.Bennett
- O Thou That Bringest Good Tidings By J.Stainer
- God So Loved The World By J.Stainer
- Jesu,Joy Of Man Desiring By J.S.Bach
- Hear My Prayer Music By F.Mandellsohn Words By Bartholdy
- Lead Me Lord In Thy Rightousness By S.Wesley
- O Saviour Of The World By Sir.G.Goss
- The Radiant Morn Has Past Away By Rev.H.H.Woodward
- Stainer's Crucifixion
We sung carols at the Rutland, around the Christmas tree, also the then Hospital - we went round all 12 wards in an evening. At Harvest time we went to Withersfield Cambridgeshire to sing at their Harvest, they provided the Coach - and what a feast afterwards!!
As time went by the choir reduced in size as members passed away or moved on. About 1980 ladies were introduced to the choir, which has been a good encouragement for others to come along.
In January 1991 my predecessor passed away, I took over on Palm Sunday of that year. As a small choir, they show commitment in their singing, at Eucharist and at Evensong to this day.
In 2008 I felt it was time to introduce Taize music, which I find so spiritually close to our Christian faith here, to the understanding of what we are and share with others around us. This I hope will encourage others to join us. The help of Fr. John Hardy and his wife Liz have been of great inspiration, bringing freshness into the life of St.Mary's. This I hope will encourage others to join us, to grow in the spiritual chanting of Taize. WE WELCOME YOU.
Organist Mark Rodman