On Sunday 22nd July the congregation at Haddenham Methodist Church marked a very special occasion. They made a presentation to Heather Woods to mark her fifty years as organist and pianist at the church.
She was given a beautiful hydrangea and a bird feeder for her garden with an ample supply of bird food!
Although a professionally qualified pianist, Heather received organ lessons from her father when she was about twelve years old and it wasn't long before she was deputising at church services.
In 1967 she moved to Haddenham and very soon afterwards was asked if she would play the harmonium at the Methodist Church. When the church bought a new digital organ in 1997 it was Heather who asked Nigel Ogden, the Radio 2 presenter of 'The Organist Entertains', to come and give, what turned out to be, a very enthusiastically received concert.
As well as being a highly sought-after piano accompanist Heather has also played for weddings, funerals and many other services at all the nearby village churches over the years. If that were not sufficient she also enjoys singing with the Thame Choral Society which only a few weeks ago presented a very well received concert with the Oxford Welsh Male Voice Choir at St. Mary's Parish Church in Haddenham.
She hopes to be able to continue playing and singing for some time to come, and we will continue to enjoy her musical talents.
(Photographs courtesy of Maurice Southwell)
