The Choir was privileged, humbled and proud to be invited by Helen Pipe to sing at the Memorial Service of her brother Andrew Merton Jones at St Michael and All Angels Church in Lambourn, Berkshire on 15th February 2024.
Andrew was the son of the late Colin Jones, a former chorister who served over 50 years in the choir. Andrew had a great love of horses and as a young man moved to Lambourn to become a stable hand in Lambourn where he lived the rest of his life.
The Memorial Service, presided over by Revd. Julie Mintern and its content were arranged by Andrew himself and he was keen to revive memories of listening to the choir with his father and he specifically asked that the choir sings ‘My Grandfather’s Clock’ conducted by David Gould and ‘Eli Jenkins’ Prayer’ from Under Milk Wood conducted by Shirley Anne James and accompanied on the church organ by John Nicholson. Both pieces were enthusiastically received and appreciated by a full church in attendance.
In the congregation were Andrew’s sister Helen Pipe and his mother Margaret. Helen gave a fitting and moving tribute to her brother by relaying memories of their childhood together. Hymns included ‘Morning has Broken’, ‘Blaenwern – Love Divine, all loves excelling ‘ and ‘Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer’ to the tune Cwm Rhondda, well know to all Welsh Male Choir.
In the words of Revd Julie Mintern the memorial arrangements brought together three families, Andrew’s own in Caldicot, his Lambourn family and the community family of Caldicot represented by Caldicot Male Voice Choir.
Following the service, the choir retired to the George Inn opposite the church to a warm welcome and traditional afterglow singing enjoyed by all who took part.