Choir sings at Weatherill memorial

AUGUST 1: CMVC sang at the memorial service of Bernard Weatherill QC in Wimbledon on Friday July 30. At a packed St Mary’s Church, it performed two pieces: Be Still My Soul, the Hymn from Finlandia by Sibelius; and The Battle Hymn of the Republic, with the solo part by choir baritone Stewart Robinson.

CMVC assembles at St Mary's, Wimbledon

The choir was widely praised and thanked by audience members as they left the church afterwards.

The choir was conducted, in the absence of music director Roger Pinsent, by baritone and apres leader Dave Bannister. It was accompanied by the new choir pianist, David Terry.

Bernard Weatherill was a distinguished barrister and a keen sportsman who played real tennis at international level.  It was he who requested the choir’s appearance as he discussed plans for the memorial with his wife Claire shortly before he died of cancer on July 15. 

The choir had previously sung at two notable Weatherill family occasions. The first was the memorial service at Croydon Minster in 2007 for Lord Weatherill, the former House of Commons Speaker, and the late Bernard’s father.

Inside St Mary's

The second was the wedding at St Margaret’s Westminster in September 2013 of Julia Weatherill, granddaughter of Lord Weatherill and daughter of the late Bernard.  The choir had performed both his requested pieces on those two occasions.

The choir was conducted, in the absence of music director Roger Pinsent, by baritone and apres leader Dave Bannister. It was accompanied by the new choir pianist, David Terry.

After the service, some choir members attended the reception at the nearby Wimbledon All England Tennis Club. A majority gathered for informal singing at the Dog and Fox in Wimbledon village. Those who attended the Wimbledon tennis venue later joined their colleagues at the Dog and Fox.