Faith Features

It was the best kept secret.

Parishioners at St Mary the Virgin in Sundon thought they were celebrating the cross by parading behind a relic of the very cross. And indeed they did. But there was another agenda behind Bishop Richard Inwood's visit.

The priest in charge, Father Yenda Smejcal had worked out that Joan Clarke, the church organist has been playing at services for sixty years. Joan suspected nothing until Bishop Richard, The Bishop of Bedford, presented her with a present. A large cake was produced and a buffet lunch appeared as if by magic.

Joan has been playing at services for sixty years

Churchwarden George Bath had another surprise. George had seen a woman celebrating forty years as an organist being presented to the Queen at the Maundy Thursday service.  George wrote to Her Majesty. A really impressive letter from Buckingham Palace was framed and presented to Joan. Joan was delighted as she said she was very fond of the Queen.

Father Yenda follows the pre-1960 Catholic tradition at St Mary's. Services include a sung creed and Joan has been influential in introducing this form of worship and he says she plays the organ in a way that is easy to sing to.

89 year old Joan has no plans to retire while her beloved Yenda is at the church.

"When Yenda retires, I shall be 117!", she said with a sparkle in her eye..