The Founding of Pirton Community Choir
The founding of Pirton Community Choir was only made possible because of the substantial and generous bequest left to St Mary’s Church, Pirton for the music of the church by much-loved longstanding parishioners Dick and Bette Woodward in 2022.
Dick, Bette and their children moved to Pirton in 1980’s following Dick’s appointment as manager of a local farm. They soon became very involved in the life of St Mary’s and the wider Pirton Community. During the following years both Dick and Bette served as Churchwarden at St Mary’s.
Bette was a fine musician who taught piano and recorder to adults and children, played the piano for school assemblies, sang in St Mary’s Church Choir and until ill-health prevented her, was St Mary’s Church organist.
Bette had a deep, quiet Christian faith and she loved to sing. Her favourite songs included the hymns “There is a Redeemer” and “Be Still for the Presence of the Lord” and the anthems “Lead me Lord” by Samuel Sebastian Wesley and “O God, you Search Me and You Know Me” by Bernadette Farrell.
After Bette’s untimely death in 2017, although other organists had been found, except for special events, the Church Choir gradually folded, partly because there was no one to lead it.
Following Bette & Dick’s gift, and after some thought and prayer Marc de Salis, husband of the Vicar, Reverend Mary de Salis had the idea of using the money as seed corn to employ a paid Singing Champion. It was estimated that there were sufficient funds in to pay the Champion for three years. Long enough for us to ‘test the water!’ Consequently, during St Mary’s Parochial Church Council meeting on January 24th 2023 it was unanimously agreed to “advertise for a Choir Director for a three-year term.”
Some of the reasons for the decision to appoint a Singing Champion included the knowledge that:
- Singing has huge spiritual, physical and psychological benefits
- Choral singing builds community
- A choir rehearsal provides a safe way for people to enter the church building
- St Mary’s would have a choir for special services and maybe weddings and funerals
- An inclusive welcoming approach provides a safe pathway for people to come to faith or reconnect with their faith.
Following an interview Heather Fuller was appointed and began working in September 2023. About 20 people, including Pat Parkins and Val Clendon the two remaining members of St Mary’s Choir, attended the first rehearsal on October 10th 2023 held on a Tuesday evening from 7:30pm - 9:00pm in St Mary’s Church, Pirton.
Amazingly by November the choir were ready to sing at their first event! They bravely sang at the War Memorial in torrential rain during Pirton’s annual Remembrance Sunday Service. The anthem chosen was the Kontakion of the Dead which had recently been sung during the Burial Service for Queen Elizabeth II in St George’s Chapel Windsor.
Subsequently, after a busy few weeks rehearsing The Christmas Medley and traditional carols, the choir was ready for its First Christmas. Its outings included carol singing in the Motte and Bailey Pub, singing at St Mary’s Christmas Market and during St Mary’s Candlelit Carol Service and Midnight Mass.
During 2024 the closing of a choir in Shillington led to a sudden surge in numbers attending rehearsals. This resulted in the formation of a Choir Committee with a view to establishing the choir as a separate charity from the Church so that members could pay subs and the choir could continue after Bette’s gift had been spent. Consequently, an Interim Committee with Michael Tackley as Chairman was formed. Eventually all the legal processes were completed, and the choir was constituted as a charity and expects in due course to be registered. The additional income meant that Georgie Cole was appointed as Choir accompanist and the Choir began rehearsing weekly for their first Concert. By now Maxine Shearer had become Choir Librarian. Her diligence, efficiency and patience mean that we all have the vocal scores we need!
During 2024 and 2025 the choir’s activities increased so that they were invited to sing during a number of St Mary’s Pirton services, a wedding and to join with St Mary’s Hitchin Church Choir to sing choral Evensong in St Mary’s Hitchin. Then on a hot summer’s evening in June 2025 they gave their first concert, ‘Let the People Sing’ in Pirton Village Hall. The theme was “Songs from Musical Theatre.” It was a sell out and due to the Musical Director Heather’s patient and inspirational teaching, a huge success!
The exhilaration and joy after the concert were extended when we learned that following an application by two Committee Members Kate Wyatt (Fundraising) and Beryl Whiting (Publicity) on behalf of the Choir, North Herts District Council had awarded a grant of £1073 to purchase a keyboard and other ancillary equipment.
In naming the members of the initial Committee we must not forget others who work behind the scenes to keep the administrative wheels turning: Marc De Salis (Treasurer), who set up the initial banking facilities and John Flynn (Secretary), who set up the website. Thank you.
By the end of term in July 2025 with 50 adult paying members aged 20 - 85 from Pirton, Hitchin, Holwell, Luton, Stotfold and Whitwell, the choir had become an established part of Church and Village life!
Thank you, Reverend Mary, for acting on Marc's inspiration and for all the encouragement you give the choir.
Most of all thank you Bette and Dick for your kindness and generosity!
*****
Whilst writing this short history I spoke with Dick & Bette’s son David and he commented:“Both Mum and Dad did a lot for St Marys' over the years, and I know Dad was very keen to ensure that Mum's association with music was not forgotten which has been realised thanks to Heather's hard work and the dedication and enthusiasm of all those in the choir. On a personal note, I have lost count of the number of people who have told me that it's such a fitting tribute to Mum's memory and am delighted that the choir is now a self-sustaining group and such an asset to both the church and village as a whole.”
Gena Edwards 12.08.2025
