Tower and Town, November 2017

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Family News

Congratulations to Georgie Hibberd and her partner, Russ, on the birth of a beautiful baby girl, Betsy Florence Smith, a sister for Arley. Georgie edits the St. John’s edition of Tower and Town this month and each year.

Ruth Dain died in September and her service was held in St George's, the church she worked so hard for. Our sympathy to Michael and their family, Sarah, Rachel and Richard, the 10 grandchildren and great-granddaughter. Ruth was one of only three girls evacuated to a boys' school during the war. She trained to be a RSCN at Great Ormond St and Addenbrooke's hospitals. She and Michael met at a school boys' camp in North Wales. They married in 1956, and she was a busy housemaster's wife and dame until 1988. A skilled cook she loved entertaining. She was a trustee of Norland Nursery Training College and an enrolling member at St. Georges. Ruth's was a life of self-giving love, especially to the youngest, based on a firm faith in Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

On Sunday, October 1st, Cyril Ford retired from St. Mary's Choir after 74 years. What an achievement! He was presented with flowers and chocolates and a photograph of the choir when he was 17 was projected for us to see. Good luck to Cyril in his retirement. He has written some of his memories.

I joined the choir age 9 in 1943 and have sung under the direction of 5 choir masters. We have sung countless hymns, psalms and anthems and also the canticles of matins and evensong. We used to sing at regional choir festivals in places like Salisbury, Taunton and Sherborne. In 1951 our choir was chosen from the diocese to sing at the Festival of Britain and visit the Festival. In 1962 and again a few years later we were invited twice to sing evensong at Salisbury Cathedral while their choir was on holiday. In my early days we enjoyed outings to Lulworth Cove, London Airport, the Tower of London, etc. We went to pantomimes with Mr Pomfret. There were annual cricket matches. Boys v choirmen were eagerly looked forward to (at least by the boys!) I will, naturally miss singing with the choir after so many years but my passion for singing will continue with the Marlborough Choral Society.

I would love to see the choir increase in members (all voices) and finally - one forlorn hope - become a robed choir as of old.

Audrey Peck