By Rachael Grealish

Cumbrian choir members have been celebrated for their collective 260 years of loyal service to St Mary’s Church, in Wigton.

On Sunday, March 12, a special ceremony was held for seven members of the St Mary’s Church choir for their long and loyal service, and one member was even celebrated for 60 years devoted to the group.

Five members of the choir were presented with RSCM (Royal School of Church Music) certificates marking 30 years of service, while another member received a certificate for 50 years.

The presentations were made by Canon Geoffrey Ravalde, Chaplain to HM the King, who has been Vicar of Wigton since 1991:

• Alison Gilvey (alto, 30 years)
• Joanne Thomlinson (alto, 30 years)
• Julia Henderson (soprano, 30 years)
• Mary Snape (soprano, 30 years)
• Martin Snape (tenor, 30 years)
• Ruth Shingler (soprano, 50 years)
• Peter Shingler (tenor, 60 years)

As well as its long-serving older members, the choir of St Mary’s comprises a range of other ages – including a few members in their 20s as well as several children of primary and secondary school age.

Under the leadership of David Shingler BA ARCO, who has been organist and choirmaster at St Mary’s for 31 years, the choir sings weekly on Sunday mornings for the parish eucharist and fortnightly for Evensong.