The Choir
Choir
The English Service
St Padarn’s is one of the few local churches to have an enthusiastic Church Choir, small but happy. We sing traditional, 4-part harmony music at the English Sunday service at 11.15 a.m. and at special mid week services.
We meet in Church to practice on Thursday nights from 6.00 – 6.45 pm. led by the acting Choirmaster, Keith Jones.
IF PRACTICE IS NOT TO TAKE PLACE, THERE WILL BE A NOTE TO THAT EFFECT ON THIS PAGE.
If you would like to join our small Choir, we would be very pleased to see you at the Thursday evening Choir Practice at 6 p.m.
Mrs Gwen Pugh
On Monday 5th February, 2024, the funeral of Mrs Gwen Pugh, former Choir Leader, took place at St Padarn’s Church, led by the Parish Priest, Revd Canon Andrew Loat, assisted by Licensed Reader, Keith Jones. Gwen was the widow of Roy Pugh, also a Chorister, and Mother of Stephen and Grandmother of Ffion. Gwen was met at the Church door by the Processional Cross which she had followed for much of her life and the Choir was present for the Service. Following the Service at which the Hymns and Psalm had been chosen by Gwen, the Processional Cross led Gwen to the Church door. A private committal was later held at the Crematorium.
Christine Winifred Price
On Thursday 15th November 2022, the funeral took place in St. Padarn’s Church of Mrs Christine Price, a former chorister here and an active participant in the local community. With her late husband, Glanville, they raised their, Gareth, Christopher, Eluned and Steven, and strove to support Gareth in his struggles with mental illness. Glanville died five years ago, and Gareth died with cancer a couple of years later.
During the service a comprehensive tribute from the family was given by Eluned, and at which the two of Christine’s grandchildren, Joey and Abigail, played Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber.
Christine was met at the Churchyard Gate by the Processional Cross which as a Chorister she had followed many times. At the end of the Service, the Processional Cross, followed by the Choir, led Christine to the Church Door.
The service was followed by a private committal at the Crematorium.
Choir Photograph – May 2016
MRS GWEN PUGH
Mrs Gwen Pugh stepped down from the position of Choir Mistress at the end of 2012. (Keith Jones is currently Acting Choir Master.) On 22nd March 2013, all of the available choristers assembled in the Black Lion on the village square to enjoy a meal together and pay tribute to Gwen for her service to the choir which dates back over 30 years. Archdeacon Hywel presented her with a cheque from her choristers and warmly thanked her for her services, noting that she had started coming to St Padarn’s when he was appointed Vicar at the beginning of the 1980’s.
QUEEN’S AWARD FOR CHORISTER
As a Parish, we warmly congratulate one of our Choristers, Professor Michael Hambrey —head of the Glaciology Department in the Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences at Aberystwyth University, on the recent announcement that Her Majesty the Queen has been graciously pleased to award him a second clasp to his Polar Medal. The award is in recognition of his continued outstanding work on glaciology which has contributed to the scientific service of the United Kingdom research and survey in Antarctica. Michael now joins an elite list of recipients who have earned the award a second time.
On Wednesday 28th March 2012, Professor Hambrey was one of the invitees to the National Service of Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of Captain Scott’s Expedition to the South Pole, in St Paul’s Cathedral in London and has now also been to Windsor Castle to receive the recently awarded second clasp to his Polar Medal
The Welsh Service
You will hear very fine congregational singing in the Welsh service as there are many excellent singers in the congregation Sunday by Sunday.
Dr. Michael Dewe
It was with great sadness that all in the church choir heard of the death after a cruel illness of Michael Dewe. Michael had been one of the stalwarts of the choir for many years and was the immediate past Choirmaster. His funeral was held on Monday 22nd December 2008 and the church was full with Mike’s family, friends, and colleagues. The church choir was at full strength for a moving and dignified service at which the Venerable Hywel Jones, presided, assisted by Father Paul, the Roman Catholic Parish Priest and his Assistant, Father Phillip and also by Mr Keith Jones, Reader at Llanbadarn Fawr. During the service three of Mike’s favourite hymns were sung and the Magnificat was recited. As a special tribute to Mike and to the glory of God, the choir sang the Ave Maria. After the last hymn—The day Thou gavest Lord, is ended– the Nunc Dimittis was also sung by the Choir. The robed choir then led the cortege, clergy and family out from the church and as far as the Lych gate. Mike will be greatly missed at St Padarn’s, especially by his colleagues in the Choir.
May he Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory.