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Lenton Parish Church was renowned locally for its music and choir, and
in the early days of the Church it was the custom to sing selections
from the works of the great composers before the evening service.
History tells us that the girls of Lenton Orphanage which was situated
in Friar Street, Old Lenton (the building has been occupied by a
textile manufacturer for many years), used to sing in the choir before
surplices were in use in Lenton Church choir. Surplices were
apparently unknown and indeed unwanted in the old Lenton Parish
church, as, to quote from old records, "much the same antagonism was
aroused when the first Vicar of the New Parish Church, the Reverend
George Browne, wore a surplice in which to preach in place of the
usual black gown, and also when the boys and girls in the Sunday
school were allowed to mix at the Sunday school treat".
Apparently there was consternation and dismay for some of the
ultra-protestant parishioners at the introduction of a sung Evening
Service. It was declared that such an innovation was nothing short of
a "Romanising tendency".
In the choir vestry is a photograph of the Lenton Church choir, taken
of the choir in the years 1920-1922, with the organist and
choirmaster, Vernon Read, who left Lenton Church for a similar post at
St. Mary's Church in Nottingham.
It was interesting to record that the choir. under its new organist
and choirmaster, Mr. Charles Pickard, was able to retain a full
complement of men and boys until World War II when unavoidably men
were called up for military service, five early in the war, while some
of the boys were evacuated to the so called "safer areas".
In the pre-war services there was usually an anthem by the choir, and
the anthems for the month were printed in advance in the magazine.
The Canticles were sometimes sung to special settings, especially the
Nunc Dimittis and Magnificat at the Evening Service. Even though the
Centenary celebrations of the New Lenton Parish Church were during
World War II, the choir (I understand, for I was many thousands of
miles away at that time) excelled itself.
The reversion to females on the front row of the choir stalls appears
to be about September 1944, when, to quote, "By the time you receive
this magazine, the girls of the choir should be fully robed in caps,
gowns, collars and cuffs". Apparently there had been some delay in the
arrival of these garments. Being war-time, what could one expect? By
the time the robes arrived the new recruits had had many months of
training and, knowing Mr. Pickard, I would add "thorough training".
The years immediately following the war saw the choir build up its
rear ranks with the return of the senior members from their war
duties, and encouraged by the Vicar, the Reverend R.J.R. Skipper, who
loved his music, the choir greatly assisted the services with their
music. After the Third Collect on each fourth Sunday Evening Service
the service was devoted to musical items by the choir. Unfortunately
the older members of the choir, by virtue of their age, gradually left
and the fact that girls had replaced the boys on the front row meant
there were no boys to succeed the ageing male members. Hence today's
shortage on the back row of the choir. Older members of the choir who
I remember giving a life-time of faithful service were Bob Hillery,
"Bill" Skellington, "Bill" Amos and Kenneth Lee. Ken was a friend of
mine from boyhood and a chorister all his life, bell ringer, and
served some years as Parish Treasurer. Two wrought-iron flower stands
are in the Church as a memorial to his long service, contributed by
the congregation.
Charles Pickard was choirmaster and organist at Lenton Parish church
for 29 years and left in April 1951 for a similar post at St. Andrew's
Church in Nottingham. Mr. W.H. Bland, who was the assistant organist,
succeeded Mr. Pickard, and although he has never been fortunate enough
to have the quantity has, by his hard work and dedication, it is felt,
preserved the quality. Charles Pickard, FRCO, LRAM, ARCM, with his
wife, had a music school at their home in West Bridgford, where
singing, piano, violin and organ lessons were given. He was also the
organist for the Nottingham Harmonic choir and for many years
conductor of the very successful prize-winning William Turner's Ladies
choir. Our present choirmaster and organist, W.H. (Harry) Bland,
served in the Royal Air Force in World War II, and when posted
overseas became organist at Delhi Cathedral, returning to Lenton
Church after the war as assistant to Charles Pickard.
At this time part of the organ is undergoing repair to damage by damp
from a leak in the roof. It really requires a complete overhaul but
unfortunately the financial situation of the Church at this time does
not allow for the spending of the very large sum of money that it
would require to bring the organ back to its high standard. When the
enormous debt for the roof timber replacement has been met then a full
restoration of the organ may be a possibility.
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