Congratulations Margery Wakefield BCAc
| Type of post: | Choir news item |
| Sub-type: | No sub-type |
| Posted By: | Mark Kusionowicz |
| Status: | Current |
| Date Posted: | Thu, 30 Jan 2025 |
After forty years of being unpaid accompanist to our choir Margery has earned her retirement!
Not only that, the powers that be have awarded her the The British Citizen Award for Services to the Community (BCAc) in recognition of her support to us, and we were delighted to present it to her during our rehearsal on Monday, along with our gifts and a rendition of "What would I do without my music". Attached is the press release announcing the award to Margery. In it the citation reads:
SURREY CHOIR ACCOMPANIST HONOURED WITH THE BRITISH CITIZEN AWARD
Margery Wakefield, from Surrey, is among 26 exceptional individuals to be honoured with the esteemed British Citizen Award (BCA).
Margery was presented with her BCA Medal of Honour and Certificate of Honour at a local presentation attended by members of her local community, family, friends and Hampshire and Surrey Hills Men’s Choir. Margery received the coveted BCA Medal of Honour for Service to Community (BCAc). Recipients of The British Citizen Award are entitled to use the post-nominals to commemorate their achievements.
The Rushmoor Odd Fellows Male Voice Choir, (now the “Hampshire and Surrey Hills Men’s Choir”), was formed in 1960 and since then has performed to raise money for charities large and small locally and nationally. In 1984, Margery joined as the Choir’s accompanist and has just retired after 40 years volunteering. She has been instrumental in entertaining the public, improving the musicality of the choir members, and was an ever-present volunteer at every rehearsal and performance.
Over the last 40 years, Margery rehearsed with the choir every week for 40 weeks a year, supporting around eight concerts per year, accompanying four different musical directors. Now 87, Margery’s volunteering still continues as she turns all of her attention to ‘The Kindred Spirits’, a choir formed from women recovering from breast cancer.
With Margery’s four decades’ support, the choir has raised over £400,000 for many projects within the local area including local Hospices, Make a Wish Foundation, The Hope Hub, a homeless charity and nationally contributing to the Parkinsons Disease Society. Margery’s dedication to improving the choir’s performance has been diligent and she has engaged all choir members with humour and ensured a sense of teamwork runs through the charity.
Stephanie Wood from BCA Partner One Stop commented, "This year's medalists exemplify the incredible support within our communities, especially during challenging times. We're honoured to partner with the BCA and play a part in recognising these exceptional individuals.
Happy Retirement Margery Wakefield BCAc!
Not only that, the powers that be have awarded her the The British Citizen Award for Services to the Community (BCAc) in recognition of her support to us, and we were delighted to present it to her during our rehearsal on Monday, along with our gifts and a rendition of "What would I do without my music". Attached is the press release announcing the award to Margery. In it the citation reads:
SURREY CHOIR ACCOMPANIST HONOURED WITH THE BRITISH CITIZEN AWARD
Margery Wakefield, from Surrey, is among 26 exceptional individuals to be honoured with the esteemed British Citizen Award (BCA).
Margery was presented with her BCA Medal of Honour and Certificate of Honour at a local presentation attended by members of her local community, family, friends and Hampshire and Surrey Hills Men’s Choir. Margery received the coveted BCA Medal of Honour for Service to Community (BCAc). Recipients of The British Citizen Award are entitled to use the post-nominals to commemorate their achievements.
The Rushmoor Odd Fellows Male Voice Choir, (now the “Hampshire and Surrey Hills Men’s Choir”), was formed in 1960 and since then has performed to raise money for charities large and small locally and nationally. In 1984, Margery joined as the Choir’s accompanist and has just retired after 40 years volunteering. She has been instrumental in entertaining the public, improving the musicality of the choir members, and was an ever-present volunteer at every rehearsal and performance.
Over the last 40 years, Margery rehearsed with the choir every week for 40 weeks a year, supporting around eight concerts per year, accompanying four different musical directors. Now 87, Margery’s volunteering still continues as she turns all of her attention to ‘The Kindred Spirits’, a choir formed from women recovering from breast cancer.
With Margery’s four decades’ support, the choir has raised over £400,000 for many projects within the local area including local Hospices, Make a Wish Foundation, The Hope Hub, a homeless charity and nationally contributing to the Parkinsons Disease Society. Margery’s dedication to improving the choir’s performance has been diligent and she has engaged all choir members with humour and ensured a sense of teamwork runs through the charity.
Stephanie Wood from BCA Partner One Stop commented, "This year's medalists exemplify the incredible support within our communities, especially during challenging times. We're honoured to partner with the BCA and play a part in recognising these exceptional individuals.
Happy Retirement Margery Wakefield BCAc!
