Parish of St Helen Witton Northwich Cheshire - People Profiles: David Nangreave

Profile of David Nangreave

I was born and bred in Wolverhampton and baptised at Tettenhall Wood Congregational (URC) Church. At age 7 I became a chorister and the influence of my father, who played the organ occasionally, led me to start on the piano and then to the organ. The same church was the venue on April 1st, 1967 (no April fool jokes, please) for my marriage to Jan who has tolerated my foibles (or maybe the other way round) for 40 years. Both of our children, Mark and Ruth, were baptised there.

A change of employment (in design engineering) fortuitously led to a move to Stratford-upon-Avon where I was appointed Organist and Choirmaster at St Peter-ad-Vincula, Hampton Lucy, where I inherited a choir of 25 mixed voices. A highlight of the years in Warwickshire was a weekend with the choir at Addington Palace in Surrey which was then the Headquarters of the Royal School of Church Music. It was a time of intense preparation and singing services in the Chapel, then a rush back to Hampton Lucy for Evensong.

After 21 happy years in Warwickshire, early retirement gave the opportunity for a move to West Somerset which is an area that through holidays we had come to know and love. Soon after moving I obtained the post of organist at St John the Baptist Carhampton (9:30 am) and St George Dunster (11:00 am). Both churches being in the same benefice.

In late July this year, we moved to Winsford following the birth of our grandson to our daughter in Stockport because the journey from Somerset is too long for frequent visits. We are currently in the throes of alterations to our bungalow – the bathroom is completed and as I write the extended kitchen / dining area is being fitted out.

We have two retired greyhounds who ensure that we get plenty of fresh air and exercise. Having previously sung in Stratford-upon-Avon and Taunton Choral Societies I have joined Sandbach Voices with concerts in November, December and March.

Due to our move, my wife Jan has had to leave her job as a senior carer in a care home and she is now looking for employment on a private basis. I am delighted to have been appointed to St Helens and hope to be of service and contribute to the worship for many years.

Mr E H Bickersteth, sometime Bishop of Exeter, wrote “The ideal voluntary is one which shall prepare the mind of the listener for the service which is to follow; or it outgoing shall not distract the thoughts of the worshippers”, an ideal to which I shall continue to strive.

David Nangreave