The festive season at St Mary’s, South Walsham featured a carol service including a joint performance from local senior and school choirs – an event which united three generations of one family in song.
Holly, performing in the school choir, was joined by her father Luke and grandfather Malcolm – three generations of the Davey family. Her maternal grandmother Susie Kemp who sings soprano in the South Walsham choir was also performing.
Discussing the family’s musical connection, Malcolm Davey said:
“My late wife Sybil was the organist at St Helen’s church for 25 years and was the main influence in introducing the joy of music and singing to the children’s’ and grandchildren’s lives.”
The choirs jointly performed a new modern-day carol ‘The Star’, written and composed by choir director Cameron Barlow especially for the 2025 concert.
The senior choir was directed by Barlow, while the Fairhaven CofE Primary School choir was led by music teacher Naomi Brocklehurst and Headteacher Stephanie Lake.
Reflecting on the joy of the occassion, Revd Cheryl Ramballi, House for Duty Associate Priest to the Blofield and Broadside Benefice, said:
“This was an amazing event to mark my first Christmas in the Benefice. Working with the school and the children is always joyful and we are blessed to have Malcolm’s gifted singing in the congregation at St Helen’s, Ranworth.”
Having previously served as Assistant Curate at Kings Beck Benefice, Revd Cheryl was licensed as House for Duty Associate Priest to the Blofield and Broadside Benefice in 2025 at a ceremony in Ranworth.