The Cranmer Company of Singers visited Christchurch Cathedral in Oxford in the middle of July 2025. It was a terrific experience for all to spend so much time in those esteemed buildings surrounded by history. The choir even managed to have their photograph taken from what was possibly the very spot where Thomas Cranmer was devested.
The singing was, on the whole, excellent and very much enjoyed by congregations of hundreds at each service. In their downtime, the choir members and partners managed to explore the area and even managed a picnic in the Meadows nearby. The choir kept in touch with each other, and avoided missing appointments during the weekend on WhatsApp. Below are some of the comments made by the exhausted group at the end of the adventure. Also a few of the photographs taken. A much, much larger set of photos and videos can be found HERE. Videos and recordings are HERE.
“It was a great weekend of singing and socialising. I was very pleased with the standard of singing and we received many lovely compliments from both the clergy and parishioners.
A very special thank you to Elizabeth, who supported us so brilliantly and who had to dash from organ to organ during every service. The organ at the back, that Elizabeth played for voluntaries and hymns, is accessed via a fairly hairy spiral staircase. On Saturday, I think Elizabeth climbed this about 8 times; no doubt more times on Sunday.
Anyway, it was a wonderful weekend and I was very proud of you all. I must also add that I was so pleased to see you warmly welcoming our additional singers who were kindly standing in for the missing regulars.
Love to all,
Deborah Xx”
“Kind words Deborah, I’m sure I speak for everyone in a ‘Response’ (pun intended) to thank you for your drive, efforts, patience and all round heroism in putting it all together 👏🏻🙌🏻💐💐
Colin”
“Yes it was all marvellous! My first cathedral Evensong and Eucharist!
William”
“Dear Deborah thank you so much for arranging and conducting a first class weekend of choral music at Christ Church Cathedral.The choir’s electrifying response to the awe-inspiring environment and to your calm but commanding direction was very special and the congregation’s positive response was really most gratifying. Thank you and Elizabeth too for your combined fabulous musicality and last but not least to the choir members whose musical and social gifts made it a weekend always to be remembered. Thank you,
Diana”
“Thank you Deborah for organising a lovely weekend and a chance to sing in the beautiful Christ Church.”
“Thank you also Elizabeth for your fantastic playing, I am impressed how you managed to get up and down those stairs safely and played the organ, in the right place at the right time, without us knowing you were doing it!
Hope you are both having a well deserved rest.
Clair”
“Thank you all for a lovely weekend! It’s been a pleasure to get the opportunity to sing at Christ Church, and to sing with you all again! Thank you Deborah for directing us and Elizabeth for accompanying us! I look forward to singing with you again (hopefully in the not too distant future 😅).
Ella”
“Thank you Deborah and Elizabeth a musical duo to be very proud of. Christ Church was Ed’s favourite second only to Chichester.🌟
Sall”
“It was indeed a marvellous weekend. And my Richard who was in the congregation for both evensongs said we sounded great. Thanks to all, and most especially Deborah and Elizabeth. Xx
Ana”
A random set of photos… many more HERE. Videos and recordings, HERE.
