At the annual Evensong, the Chair of the Trust, Arnold Wills reflected on the success of the past year and the opportunities to come.
Thank you to everyone today for being with us as we celebrate the ‘Chorister Cause’, giving thanks for the work of this joyous Trust and its family of supporters.
We are very pleased that The Very Reverend Toby Wright has become a Patron. We enjoy a happy and excellent relationship with both the School and the Cathedral, and this appointment for a Dean of Wells is long overdue.
The Annual Evensong is always a wonderful occasion but this year we especially celebrate the completion of the Coronation Fund Appeal. The idea of the Coronation Fund and an Appeal first came about when the Choristers visited St George’s Chapel, Windsor to sing Evensong in 2023, and after a conversation at that occasion with our Royal Patron.
The name Coronation Fund was thus agreed, and from September 2023, we began a two-year fundraising period to raise a separate fund of £500,000 that could only be used to support Choristers who required 95% or more bursaries. We had very generous support from so many individuals and grant-making bodies, and who are listed later here. The type of formal recognition of those names is yet to be agreed.
N.B. The general funds of the WCCT are used for other main Chorister bursaries. All Choristers receive a 6% bursary from WCCT these days as part of the Chorister offer, and for those who need additional help, we aim to assist after the School’s independent financial review.
In June 2024, WCCT organised the 30th Anniversary of the Wells Cathedral Girl Choristers, which was a magnificent success. Largely as a result of this, the administration and workings of the Wells Cathedral Choir Association have now been passed over to WCCT. We have the administrative resources in the Trust office to build the database and coordinate the Choir Association family, as well as the enthusiasm for the Chorister alumni.
The current Chair of the Choir Association is Chris Seaton who has indicated he will be stepping down at the Choir Reunion in April/May 2026, and generations of former Choristers have been grateful to Chris for his support and enthusiasm. Chris and his wife Catherine are also enthusiastic supporters of WCCT.
We welcome as a WCCT Trustee, former Wells Chorister Frances Henderson, and she, with another former Chorister Hugh Goodgame, former Chorister Coordinator Di Armstong, and others passionate about the Choir Association, will drive it forward. Former Wells Cathedral Choristers, and Cathedral Musicians can be in contact with the Wells Cathedral Choir Association at choirassociation@wcct.co.uk.
We thank Robert Powell (Trustee) who has stepped down after 21 years of service. His contribution, both as a Trustee with wise advice and enthusiasm, and as a good friend to the Trust, has been enormously appreciated. Current and former Trustees will have an occasion to thank Robert next month. Robert has now become the Chair of Governors at the School.
The Constitution of the WCCT is being revised. A draft, now with the Charity Commission, has been agreed by the sponsors of WCCT (Wells Cathedral School and the Chapter of Wells Cathedral).
During the year, the Friends of WCCT has continued to grow and we are almost at 100 regular donors. This is amazing — thank you. We hosted two tea parties for Friends which were well attended and will be repeated in 2026. Also on 25 September, there was the first of the Friends of WCCT Lunches, which we plan to hold quarterly.
The database and the quality of the information we hold is so important, and this as well as the general administration of the Trust and the Choir Association could not happen without the support of our Clerk, Fiona Clapp, and the Administrator, Emma Hall.
We said farewell last year to Hannah Candlin who had been Clerk for nearly two years and remains a much-valued member of the Chorister Trust family.
For me, it continues to be an exciting privilege to be Chair of Trustees. I took on this role from Jenny Kingston on 6 November 2019. At that time, the Trust didn’t even have a telephone number, let alone an office. Much has been achieved with the magnificent support of Trustees, current and past, and the ever-growing list of generous supporters.
The Trustees are aware that I feel it is right that I finish my time as Chair of Trustees before the end of 2027, although there is still more to do before that date. I will continue to support WCCT, of course. More to follow.
Please may I ask, if you are not already, do consider becoming a Friend of WCCT. People give what they can afford ranging from £10 per month, although we suggest a monthly donation of £30. Any regular contributions are very much appreciated.
During this year, we bade farewell to two of the Trust’s most fervent supporters. Dr Anthony Crossland was Organist and Master of the Choristers as well as Assistant for thirty-five years until 1991. I was privileged to attend the funeral service in Bath which was attended by a number of former Choristers and Organists, as well as our Dean. We will have the opportunity to attend a memorial Evensong in the early part of 2026 in Wells Cathedral; the date is to be announced. Barbara Dickinson was a most loyal supporter of the Trust and never missed an Annual WCCT Evensong. Her memorial service was yesterday in the Cathedral, and the Trust was represented. May they rest in peace and rise in glory.
Lastly, we look forward to the 25th Anniversary of the Chorister Trust, which falls in January 2028. We have set the year from 1 August 2027 to 31 July 2028 as one when we can celebrate all that is ‘Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust’.
Photo Credit: Bill Bradshaw