Members of the Parish Church of Chingford choir sang choral evensong in Exeter Cathedral earlier this month — an experience they described as "demanding and rewarding".
From Monday 3rd to Sunday 9th August, the choir spent a week as the visiting choir at the cathedral. Each day centred upon rehearsing and singing choral evensong there.
The choir said singing the daily offices in "such a magnificent setting was both demanding and rewarding", adding that they "greatly appreciated the warm welcome received throughout the week".
A day at the seaside, and one more service
It was not all rehearsal rooms and stone naves. Choir members spent a day on the beach at Exmouth, with pizza funded by the choir's ongoing support from the Jack Petchey Foundation. The boy and girl choristers then sang evensong together at All Saints' Exmouth.
Lynne, parish administrator at All Saints, wrote afterwards: "On behalf of All Saints' Church and the wider community of Exmouth, thank you for bringing the Chingford Parish Church Youth Group to sing the Choral Evensong at our church. Please can you convey our thanks to all the wonderful young people who sang so beautifully.
"We have had a lot of people commenting on what a beautiful and moving service it was. It was a delight to have so many young people in church and to hear the young organist who I am sure will go far."
Father John Sweatman added: "It was also encouraging to hear from a thriving choir where the young people clearly valued their time together as well as their ministry as choristers."
