I am very proud and humbled that the RSCM Council (Royal School of Church Music) have conferred upon me an Honorary Award for my work in the St Albans, Hertford and Bedford Area over the past 40 years.

The Certificate of Special Service is awarded for a significant contribution to church music and/or liturgy at a local level.

As the local chairman over the past 17 years, it has been good to meet with so many affiliates, to listen to their concerns, and then to try to respond with innovation (e.g. Area Conventions) and through the bread-and-butter desired for regular events.  I’ve particularly enjoyed taking the Area Choir Festival Rehearsals over the past 20 years and also conducting the Festival on two occasions.  I am particularly delighted that our local Area Chamber Choir continues to go from strength-to-strength, celebrating its tenth anniversary in February.

All this sits on top of working back from  the mid-1970’s as a leader on 3-day courses, many other events, and with ten years responsibility for the Area’s Bishop and Dean’s Awards.

Alas, I can’t attend the RSCM Celebration Day in Salisbury Cathedral on 8th September when the Awards will be presented.  The “local level” Area Chamber Choir has a full singing weekend in St Albans Cathedral!

Thank you, RSCM, and good luck to the new Director who starts work in September.