The Peterborough Cathedral Old Choir Boys Association (as it was originally called) was formed in the summer of 1910. The prime movers in the formation of the Association were Mr Charles Dack and the then Precentor, the Revd. (later Canon) R. E. Roberts, son-in-law of Bishop Clayton. Charles Dack was the first Secretary; he was also Hon. Curator of the Peterborough Natural History, Scientific and Archaeological Society (now known as The Museum Society). The Association flourished for several years and then fell into desuetude owing to the First World War. It lay in neglect until the mid nineteen-thirties, when the then Precentor, the Revd. John Humphries, made great efforts to revive it. Again the society flourished for a while, until the outbreak of the Second World War brought its activities to a halt. It was not until 1954 that the Association was brought back into being. The society’s minute book records that the Revd. Roy Dawe (Precentor) sent out over one hundred letters to those ex-choristers whose names were in the register. Many of these letters undoubtedly went astray owing to deaths and removals, but about fifty replies were received and thus the Association began once more. The two mainstays for many years were Cyril Laxton (Secretary for twenty years), and Alec Cattaway (Treasurer from 1938-1994). The Association has flourished over the years and has been in particularly good heart during the notable Secretaryship of Tim Hurst-Brown (1976-2006).

The Association currently boasts over 375 male and female members and continues to meet annually in September, for the Annual General Meeting, to join with the current choir to sing Choral Evensong and the annual reunion dinner, along with making new and reuniting old friendships. The association’s annual Christmas newsletter continues to provide news of the Cathedral, members and other announcements to members right across the world.

Honorary Secretary:

Simon Wilkinson
Glapthorn Manor
Glapthorn
Oundle
Peterborough
PE8 5BJ

Tel: 07946 224167