St Mary’s chosen for recordings

Members of the Royal British Legion like Bert Allan, chairman of the town branch, pinned on early poppies and enjoyed listening to the rector, Rev Dr Vaughan Roberts, as he offered prayers and ten standard bearers processed down the aisle.

Mr Allan said: “We enjoyed listening to the choirs and also had to play our part by rehearsing several hymns such as Eternal Father, Strong to Save.

“We pinned on our poppies and I think we all had to stand up and sit down again about 50 times as we practised the hymns - but it was a good day.”

Dr Roberts will be conducting the official Remembrance Sunday service on the morning of November 10th, the nearest Sunday to November 11. But the pre-recorded Songs of Praise will offer a flavour of the significance of the day and be broadcast for national viewers during the early evening.

BBC director Garry Boon also took the opportunity to use St Mary’s to record a second service set around the theme of New Life, which features St Nicholas Church in Radford Semele which suffered from an arson attack in 2008. Earlier this year St Nicholas was re-opened again for services although its journey of renewal is not due to be seen by viewers until January 26 next year.

Following both recordings Mr Boon told Rev Roberts he was stunned by the beauty of St Mary’s and the wonderful singing of the choirs.