The Welland Valley Benefice Choir were in fine voice at St Mary Magdalene Church, Cottingham on Good Friday, 3 April 2026, performing Faure’s Requiem as part of the Easter Vigil.
The 25-strong choir had been gathered together from local villages by Darren Oliver, who also rehearsed and conducted the choir to perform the piece, accompanied on the day by Philip Millward on the newly-refurbished church organ, with solos from Helena Oliver (soprano), David Lawton (baritone) and Qyan Arnachellum (baritone).
With the service led by Rev Amanda Oliver and a reading from John 19, V1-30, delivered with passion and reverence by Richard Haigh, the Vigil was a poignant and moving start to the Easter period. It was certainly appreciated by the large congregation who filled the church.
Cottingham Church Organ
Qyan Arnachellum
Helena Oliver
David Lawton
The Welland Valley Benefice Choir
SOPRANOS
Claire Bowles, Dinah Berry, Ellie O’Brien, Helena Oliver, Hilary Lawton, Hilary Miles, Julie van Haperen, Kay Arnachellum, Lin Wheway, Megan Fulham,
ALTOS
Angela White, Carol-Ann Morgan, Diana Sharvill, Jane Smith, Julia Trustrum-Eve
TENORS
Andrew Bowles, Ben Ramsden, David James, Mike Turney
BASSES
David Lawton, Dirk Arnachellum, Noel Tyler, Philip Carr, Qyan Arnachellum