A SERVICE at Wroughton Parish Church celebrated 25 years since its organist joined.

Dr John Henderson has tinkled the ivories at the church since 1994 and he held a cathedral-style Choral Evensong to mark the quarter century of directing music and song.

He said: “I am pleased to report that the service was a great success.

"The large choir sang complex music with both enthusiasm and sensitive musicality to a good-sized congregation.

“It was all about celebrating the day with my friends who enjoy singing their hearts out – it’s a powerful thing.

“The church is like a family. Working with the vicar Michael Johnson, who retired a couple of years ago, has been a pleasure. He left all the music up to me.”

The service was taken by Rev Teresa Townsend, an ordained minister in Lydiard Tregoze and a former member of Wroughton Church Choir.

Dr Herderson remembered when he first came to the church and started Wroughton Choral Society which continues to this day.

He said: “I used to be the organist in Fairford Church and looked around for somewhere else to play and someone from Wroughton invited me here and I just slipped into the role and never left. I’ve really enjoyed my time here.

“I used to be a doctor in Fairford but I decided to become a full-time musician.”