2012 Choral Evensong for the Commemoration of Charles, King and Martyr.
On a bitterly cold January evening, a group of Old Carolians and their wives attended a Choral Evensong at the Parish Church of St Mary and All Saints, to commemorate the death of Charles I on 30th January 1649.
As in previous years, Canon Owain Bell, Vicar of St Marys, led the service. On this occasion, however, the service was held, not in the usual Whittall Chapel, but in the main body of this lovely church. In the past, there has been usually only a select gathering for this Evensong, taken from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, but, on this occasion, St Mary's was packed. Canon Bell, Old Carolian David Morgan and his fellow Directors of Music from four other local churches, had agreed to bring all the choirs together for this Evensong Service on a special day: this year marks the 350th anniversary of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. Choirs from St Mary's, St John's, St George's, St Barnabas' (Franche) and St Cassian's (Chaddesley Corbett) took part, and the individual Directors of Music shared the conducting and organ-playing duties. Although there are many lovers of the quiet serenity within the Whittall Chapel, it has to be said that this Evensong was a hugely successful occasion, helped by some superb singing from the joint choirs and a large congregation. Particularly memorable were the Magnificat, the Nunc Dimittis, the Anthem, 'Non Nobis' and the descant singing in the final hymn, 'O worship the King, all glorious above'. How perfectly appropriate is that?
The first lesson was read by the Headteacher of King Charles I School, Tim Gulliver (2 Samuel, Chapter 18, Verses 24 to 33) while the second was read by Old Carolians Association President Andy Moule (St John, Chapter 18, Verses 28 to 38).
Canon Bell, in his interesting and lively address, mentioned his academic background in modern history and his love of real historical stories. He drew together and reflected the parallels in the three tragedies of King Richard II and his death at Pontefract Castle, the Old Testament story of King David mourning the loss of his rebellious son Absalom, and the tragic martyrdom of King Charles in Whitehall in 1649.
As the congregation left the church, there were many expressing the hope that this joint Evensong could be repeated on this date in 2013. Fellow Old Carolians also noted the absence of our esteemed Magazine Editor, Norman Broadfield, who has not missed the Evensong in all his years wedded to the Old Carolians Association. We have it on good authority that the reason he was unable to attend the service was that he had not awoken from an afternoon's drinking session at Kidderminster Cricket Club. He did attempt to lessen his embarrassment by claiming that at least he had been drinking Abbot Ale. Those of us from the same generation will be enormously sympathetic: the man has gone through so much in the past year and is such an integral part of Kidderminster sporting life that almost anything - and certainly a few relaxing jars - is instantly forgiveable.
'Captain' Peter Vaughan, World Affairs Correspondent