You won’t find many of the Billinghurst family in the pews of St John the Baptist Church, Cookham Dean, this Christmas. But only because the majority of them will be taking their place in the church choir stalls, in what is becoming a musical family tradition.
Like Mum, Nicky, and her sisters before them, all five of the Billinghurst children are valued members of the choir, from Michael (18) and Rebecca (16) to Christopher (14), Katherine (11) and Elizabeth (seven). And all, except Elizabeth who is too young, have gained Bishop Chorister awards.
Nicky told the DOOR: ‘My father, the Revd John Copping, was vicar of the church for 32 years and my sisters and I all enjoyed singing in the choir as we were growing up. It’s lovely that the children have all shown an interest in becoming choristers and I’m told they have good voices. It is becoming quite a family affair.’
The choir practises and performs under the experienced eye of choirmaster and organist David Colthup, who has been in position for more than 40 years.
David says: ‘We have 16 juniors and 12 seniors and I work them quite hard, but we are rewarded with some beautiful music.’
As well as the special Christmas services the choir sings an anthem each Sunday.
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