This year’s Act of Worship for Good Friday was held in St Mary’s, CHESHUNT, EN8 9NH. A lovely church with a good organ which EHCCA last visited before but a good few years ago. The rehearsal was at 4.30 and the service at 7.30 p.m.
39 singers gathered to sing the Requiem by Gabriel Fauré. Derek Harrison directed; Jonathan Eyre was the organist. (We used the Novello/Ratcliffe edition.). Our soloists were Amelia James (soprano) and Hugh Legg (baritone).
It was particularly encouraging to be joined by a sizeable congregation who sang with us in the hymns that began and ended the service (“When I survey the wondrous Cross” and “O sacred heard sore wounded”). There were three Bible readings between movements of the Requiem. We were very grateful to Rev Mark Escott for leading the service. Mark is a former Curate at St Mary’s, and now Vicar at St Paul’s Hoddesdon (a member church of EHCCA)
On the previous Saturday (April 12th), a good majority of the singers came to a rehearsal in St Mary, STANDON (High St, Standon SG11 1LA; 9.30-11.30 with coffee available from 9.00).
We were very grateful to members of the the church for splendid refreshments between the rehearsal and the service.
We were also very grateful to Vicky Clarke (Churchwarden) for all her help in making arrangements at the church (particularly as they were still in an interregnum).