Archbishop’s Awards for diocesan church musicians
People who dedicate their time to keeping music at the heart of services in churches and chapels across Wales, Sunday after Sunday, were recognised by the Archbishop of Wales at an award ceremony held at Bangor Cathedral on Saturday November 17. The awards are open to musicians from all denominations of Christian worship and, of the twelve presentations, four were made to musicians from the Diocese of Monmouth.
Geoffrey Jenkins, director of music for the past 20 years at St Cadoc, Caerleon, Newport, received the Archbishop of Wales’ Award in Church Music. This award aims to encourage and recognize the work of those achieving exceptional standards in church music, and who have devoted a significant amount of their time serving within Wales.
Geoffrey Jenkins was born in the Rhymney Valley. He joined the choir of St Michael’s, Tirphil, in 1951, and became organist there at the age of 14. He became organist at St Luke’s church, Newport, then in 1973, he was appointed Director of Music at St Cadoc’s, Caerleon. His work has resulted in a notable musical tradition at St Cadoc’s parish church.
Three people from the diocese received the Archbishop of Wales’ Certificate of Merit in Church Music.
Wendy Windsor of St Augustine’s, Blackwood;
Dorothy Jones of St Mary’s, Caldicot; and
Arthur Jones of
St Stephen’s, Newport.
Mrs Wendy Windsor has been the senior organist for the Benefice of Mynyddislwyn for fifty years, having begun her duties at the tender age of fourteen. She is a gifted musician endowed with perfect pitch. Canon Ray Summers says of Wendy, “her contribution to the liturgical life of this parish has been, and continues to be, immense. Wendy’s love of music is infectious; clergy and laity alike see her as a major assetr to the life and witness of Christian mission in this part of God’s Acre.”
The certificate is designed to be a way of affirming good and faithful work done in the field of church music throughout the churches and chapels of Wales. It is an interdenominational certificate, and one which is aimed at recognising the talents and devoted service of those who may be organists, choir-trainers, singers or leaders of instrumental groups within Wales. It aims to recognize those who are not professional musicians, and who have not necessarily had a professional training, but yet have done a recognisably significant work in the church or chapel where they are.
Born in Newport, Arthur Jones started playing th epiano and singing in the church choir when he was 10. Then, when he was 16, he was asked to stand in for the church organist. He has been playing the organ in church for the last 70 years, first at St Julius & St Aaron church and, for the last 35 years, at St Stephen's. He plays every Sunday except on holidays and on Christmas day though he now has a deputy for Midnight Mass.
Dorothy Jones has been organist at St Mary's, Caldicot, for 66 years. She, too, started by standing in for the organist after he went off to fight in WWII. She played for her 1000th wedding last year and has lost count of the funerals and other services she has played for. Last year, the parish mounted a plaque on the organ to mark their appreciation of Dorothy's contribution to their church life.