LATEST NEWS
from Wells Cathedral Choir
Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust Announces Appointment of New Trustee, Frances Henderson
The Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust is pleased to announce the appointment of Frances Henderson to its Board of Trustees. Frances brings with her a distinguished background in music and public service, and a deep personal connection to Wells.
Frances served as a Chorister at Wells Cathedral for eight years. She sang under esteemed directors Malcolm Archer, Rupert Gough, and Matthew Owens. Her chorister journey included tours and collaborations with renowned artists such as Dame Emma Kirkby and Jools Holland.
Following her time at Wells, Frances read Criminology at university. In 2017, Frances joined the police force, first serving as a Special Constable before becoming a full-time officer in 2020, in her current role she oversees a Response Team and serves as a key liaison between frontline officers and senior leadership.
Choral music remains central to Frances’ life, and she describes singing Evensong at the Cathedral as a return to her roots. Reflecting on her formative years, Frances remarked:
“It was an incredible, historical, and wonderful thing to have been part of. I'm extremely proud and honoured to have been a Wells Cathedral Chorister.”
The Trust warmly welcomes Frances and looks forward to her valuable contributions in supporting the next generation of Cathedral Choristers and promoting the enduring legacy of choral excellence at Wells.
'No Lost Voices' Article in Somerset Life Magazine
The WCCT has been featured in the September issue of Somerset Life magazine, in a beautifully crafted article by Andrea Cowan. The piece highlights WCCT’s dedication to ensuring Chorister life is accessible to all children and marks the remarkable achievement of raising £500,000 for the Coronation Fund.
Wells Cathedral’s ‘Be a Chorister for a Day’
Each autumn, Wells Cathedral holds a fabulous free event called Be a Chorister for a Day, where children can experience what it is like to be a Cathedral Chorister. The event is open to all children aged between 6 and 9, there are fun singing workshops, and the day ends with them taking part in the Evensong service alongside the Cathedral Choir
This year’s event will take place on Saturday, 20th September 2025, and booking is now open.
The experience includes singing games, learning about the Cathedral, and finding out what a Chorister really does. At the end of the afternoon the children sing Evensong with the Cathedral Choir. Parents can take a tour of the School if they wish, before enjoying the Evensong service.
For more details or to register your child, visit the Musical Outreach page at Wells Cathedral, or contact the Cathedral Music Office at musicoffice@wellscathedral.org.uk.
Tony Crossland
We hear today from Tony’s family that he died peacefully, on Sunday August 3rd, 2025, after a brief period of ill health.
Tony retired from Vicars’ Close as Organist and Master of the Choristers in 1996, after 35 years’ service, including a ten-year period as Assistant.
We send our love to his wife Barbara, and to their daughters Caroline and Vicky who were all with Tony as he died peacefully. They were able to keep their son and brother Nick up to date ‘long distance’ (as he is working in Japan).
Tony’s daughter Vicky says, ‘We’ve had time together over the last few weeks which has been really special. Please raise a glass to his amazing long, busy life (he would have been 94 on the 4 August). It's definitely what he would want! ‘
It seems fitting to share the article below when friends and family gathered in October 2021 to celebrate Tony’s 90th birthday at Evensong, when he conducted the choir for the anthem, I Was Glad, (Parry) and addressed, during Tea in Vicars Hall, former Choristers, former organist colleagues, and other friends and family.
Former Wells Cathedral Choristers and colleagues, especially from Tony’s time in Wells are encouraged to add their names to the link here for more details regarding a Memorial Celebration in the Autumn. (Vicky says ‘with lots of Elgar!’)
Wells Cathedral Choir Association - Please include your details here
Arnold Wills (Chair of Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust) says ‘Tony and Barbara have been marvellous supporters of Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust and of both Wells Cathedral and of so many former Choristers. They are both much loved’.
Chris Seaton (Chair of WCCA) says ‘We send our condolences and love to Barbara, Caroline, Vicky and Nick and all their family with very special memories especially of Tony’s 90th birthday celebrations.’
We look forward to a magnificent celebration in the Autumn. May he Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory’
Celebrating the WCCT Friends Scheme
The Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust (WCCT) proudly celebrates the ongoing success of its Friends scheme, a cornerstone of everything the Trust has achieved. Time and time again, it’s the unwavering support of our Friends and Ambassadors that enables us to fulfil our mission: to help talented children from all backgrounds experience the rich musical tradition of Wells Cathedral.
Through scholarships and bursaries, WCCT empowers children to become choristers, offering them a transformative start in life, not only musically, but academically and personally. Yet each year, many gifted children are unable to realise this opportunity due to the cost of education fees. That’s where our Friends make all the difference.
Supporting WCCT goes far beyond an appreciation for beautiful choral music; it’s about building a future grounded in discipline, teamwork, confidence, and community. Long-time Friend Michael Cansdale expresses it perfectly:
“Putting aside the sheer joy of the music, I am very keen that youngsters are encouraged to become Choristers, not necessarily with a view of a musical career, but as a life skill. The ability to work as part of a team – now, that’s invaluable.” (Michael Cansdale, 2025)
If you are interested in becoming a Friend, please take a look at the Friends page for more information Friends of WCCT — Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust.
Wishing Our Choristers a Wonderful Summer Break
As another academic year comes to a close, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our Choristers for their dedication, talent, and hard work. Your incredible services throughout the year, have brought music and joy to so many.
We hope you enjoy a restful and refreshing holiday, ready to return in the autumn for another exciting chapter.
For those who are moving on, we wish you all the best in your next adventures. May the music and memories you’ve made here stay with you always. Please keep in touch to hear about future WCCA reunions.
Have a fantastic summer!
Coronation Fund Success
We are delighted to bring you some exciting news.
Three months before the official deadline, we have already reached the £500,000 target of our Coronation Fund Appeal. It is a truly significant amount to have raised, and a great achievement.
Through this unique fund, we will be able to offer the life-changing opportunity of becoming a Chorister to a child whose family need 95-100% of the school fees to be covered.
We give heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed to the fund, and to our Patron, HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh, for her ongoing support. She has been a great inspiration, urging people to “support this very special Appeal to ensure ‘that there are no lost voices’ by providing opportunities for these amazing children.”
To discover more, please visit Coronation Fund.
Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust Hosts Second Summer Tea Party
On Thursday, 5th June, the Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust (WCCT) hosted its second Summer Tea Party, welcoming a fantastic turnout of Friends & Ambassadors for another lovely afternoon.
Guests enjoyed an afternoon gathering filled with conversation, updates on the Trust’s initiatives, and, of course, a traditional afternoon tea. A special highlight of the event was a captivating violin performance by one of the Choristers, which left attendees thoroughly impressed.
The WCCT extends its thanks to Wells Cathedral School for once again providing wonderful catering, ensuring a truly enjoyable experience for all. It was a pleasure to host this event for our valued supporters.
Following the success of this year’s gatherings, we will add the Summer Tea Parties to our annual calendar and look forward to welcoming Friends again soon to more events.
Summer Tea Party Welcomes Friends of the Trust
Last week, the Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust hosted the first of two Summer Tea Parties, welcoming a group of Friends of the Trust for a delightful afternoon.
Guests enjoyed a traditional afternoon tea while receiving an update on the Trust’s ongoing activities and initiatives. A highlight of the event was a special appearance by current Head Chorister, Bea, who captivated the audience with her performance, accompanied on the piano by Cathedral Director of Music, Timothy Parsons.
The WCCT was honoured to host such a wonderful gathering and looks forward to welcoming more Friends at the next Summer Tea Party on Thursday 5th June.
The Anniversary of the Coronation
On the anniversary of the Coronation of His Majesty The King we are delighted to share some exciting news about our Coronation Fund Appeal.
Inspired by the Coronation and the theme of inclusion, the Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust, with the support of our Patron HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh, has been running a two year Coronation Fund Appeal, which aims to raise £500,000 by September 2025 and can only be used to support Choristers whose families can contribute less than 5% of the required school fees, and in many cases need a full bursary. The Coronation Fund will enable bursary support of between 95%-100% to these Chorister families, and details of our Coronation Fund Appeal are on our website if you would like to learn more.
This is such an exciting project, and we are very close to completing the whole sum. A very generous donor has agreed to match fund any final contributions that we are able to raise, to ‘take us over the line’.
We are very grateful for the ongoing support we receive from our many regular contributors to the Chorister cause. We have also been pleased to receive many individual donations specifically for the Coronation Fund. All contributions are very gratefully received and if you would like to be involved then donations can be made via this form.
If you would like to talk to the Chair, Mr Arnold Wills, please contact him on chairman@wcct.co.uk.
The annual evensong for the Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust will be on Saturday 11 October 2025, when we will especially celebrate the completion of the Coronation Fund Appeal. Please put that in the diary.
