Embedded Files
Organists/Choir Directors
About 1854 - 1872 : Henry Truslove
About 1854 - 1872 : Henry Truslove
Born in Bilton in 1817 and Christened at St Mark's. He was Schoolmaster in Bilton and later worked at Rugby School as 'Collector and Accountant'. He died in Rugby aged 72 in 1889. He would also accompany services from the Gallery on the fiddle. (He played the earlier Bishop Instrument - see bottom picture on 'T Thamer Case' page). About this time there was also Gallery harmonium, played by Mr Lawrence from Rugby. Also, probably prior to the Bishop organ there was a Barrel Organ which had about 12 Hymn Tunes.
1872 – 1878: William J. Hassall:
1872 – 1878: William J. Hassall:
Aged 31 in 1872, Schoolmaster in Bilton. Later Schoolmaster at Stretton on Dunsmore.
1878 – 1885: Richard Washbrook:
1878 – 1885: Richard Washbrook:
Schoolmaster in Bilton
1887 – 1889: Alfred H Denny
1887 – 1889: Alfred H Denny
Schoolmaster in Bilton
1890 – 1895: George Chapple
1890 – 1895: George Chapple
Schoolmaster in Bilton
1895 – 1915: John Wilson Higgie
1895 – 1915: John Wilson Higgie
Schoolmaster till 1932
1916 – 1917: Mr Stevenson & Mr E.J. Boynton
1916 – 1917: Mr Stevenson & Mr E.J. Boynton
Mr Higgie was in the War in a training roleMr Boynton. previously at St James Briercliffe Lancashire.
1917 – 1928: Edward H. Hall
1917 – 1928: Edward H. Hall
He ran a musical instrument repair shop in Regent Street, Rugby.He fitted the Great 4’ Flute and Swell 8' Celeste Rank in 1924. He lived in Claremont Road, Rugby and was 70 in 1928 when he retired.
1928 – 1948: Clement J Small
(ARCO 1910)
1928 – 1948: Clement J Small
(ARCO 1910)
He worked in Railway Administration and lived in Clifton on Dunsmore at 'The Elms' where his wife ran the farm they owned. He was a Piano Teacher and his Organist career started at Brownsover in 1906. After that Ashby St Ledgers, then Bilton. After 1948 he was organist at Yelvertoft but became deaf. His only son John, who was severely injured in the 1939-45 war, died in 1946 and is buried in Bilton church yard with a 'War Graves' headstone.
1948 – 1991: Peter Bourton
(LTCL 1952)
Longest serving. 43 years service(Twin Brother still alive at 97 in 2019)1948 – 1991: Peter Bourton
(LTCL 1952)
A Technical Standards Engineer working for BTH/AEI/GEC in Mill Road Rugby. Between 1954 and 1964 he sometimes acted as Assistant Organist at Holy Trinity Coventry. Although retired from GEC, whilst still Organist and Choirmaster, he died of a heart attack in November 1991 at 69.
His assistants were:
John Tole 1950–1965
David Wilson 1965–1973
Peter Lock 1974–1976
Ann Stott 1978–1982
David Parry-Smith 1982–1986 (ARCO 1992)
His assistants were:
John Tole 1950–1965
David Wilson 1965–1973
Peter Lock 1974–1976
Ann Stott 1978–1982
David Parry-Smith 1982–1986 (ARCO 1992)
1992 - 1994: Lorretta Henderson/Grace
1992 - 1994: Lorretta Henderson/Grace
A talented Pianist who was a school music teacher at Bloxham Primary School Rugby. Now St.Matthew's Bloxam C of E (VC) Primary School. Assisted by Christopher Harratt from July 1992, previously Director of Music at St John’s Cambridge Street Rugby. This church closed in June 1992 and merged with nearby church of St Peter's in Clifton Road. Chris died in 2021 to read his Obituary, please click HERE
1994-2005: Peter Lock
(ARSM 2018)
Joint Organist, working with Gill Clark and later Patsy Howes, from 01-09-2005 till 18-07-2010
1994-2005: Peter Lock
(ARSM 2018)
Joint Organist, working with Gill Clark and later Patsy Howes, from 01-09-2005 till 18-07-2010
An Electrical Engineering Teacher, 29 years at Rugby College of F. E. Later working for Warwickshire County Council & The Imagineering Foundation developing STEM initiatives. Finally running the JLR Gaydon Education Partnership Centre. for 4 years. Peter was previously organist & Choirmaster at: St Peter’s Grandborough 1963 – 1971, then St Peter's Clifton Road Rugby July 1976 – June 1990.
Peter was assisted at St Mark's by: The late Christopher Harratt, then additionally Judith Lee from 1997.
Judith, Chris & Peter were Joint Organists from Sept 2005 to July 2010 for Director's Gill Clark and Patsy Howes. * Peter returned to St Peter John, Clifton Road Rugby as Organist in July 2010 Judy Lee continued as Sub Organist and main Funeral Organist till April 2019, when she moved to Upper Shincliffe near Durham, thus serving for about 22 Years at St Mark's.
Peter was assisted at St Mark's by: The late Christopher Harratt, then additionally Judith Lee from 1997.
Judith, Chris & Peter were Joint Organists from Sept 2005 to July 2010 for Director's Gill Clark and Patsy Howes. * Peter returned to St Peter John, Clifton Road Rugby as Organist in July 2010 Judy Lee continued as Sub Organist and main Funeral Organist till April 2019, when she moved to Upper Shincliffe near Durham, thus serving for about 22 Years at St Mark's.
2005 - 2010: Gill Clark Choir Director*
2005 - 2010: Gill Clark Choir Director*
A Teacher, formerly Head of ICT at Bilton High School. She is a private singing teacher and was Musical Director of the leading local ladies choir ‘The Woodlands Singers’ from 1993 to 2018
2010 (Feb to July) : Patricia Howes Choir Director*
2010 (Feb to July) : Patricia Howes Choir Director*
See Below
2010 - 2021: David Noble
(23rd July 2010 - 2nd April 2021)
2010 - 2021: David Noble
(23rd July 2010 - 2nd April 2021)
July 2021 - Christopher Harratt RIP
Late - Longest serving
ASSISTANT ORGANIST from 1992 to 2021 - 29 Years.
Chris died suddenly aged 66 on 27th July 2021 For a short obituary please click
HERE
July 2021 - Christopher Harratt RIP
Late - Longest serving
ASSISTANT ORGANIST from 1992 to 2021 - 29 Years.
Chris died suddenly aged 66 on 27th July 2021 For a short obituary please click
HERE
2021 - 2025: Philip Johnson Organist
(4th April 2021 - 20th April 2025)
2021 - 2025: Philip Johnson Organist
(4th April 2021 - 20th April 2025)
A project manager in the telecoms industry, Phil started learning the organ under Timothy Hone at Coventry Cathedral and then Trevor Davies at St. Mary's Abbey Church in Nuneaton. He was organist at St. James Weddington (Nuneaton) during his school years. With work and family life getting in the way of both singing and organ playing, it wasn't until 2011 after a gap of almost 20-years, that he started playing again after being invited to be an Assistant Organist at St. Mark's.After David Noble withdrew, Phil took up the position of 'acting organist' at Easter 2020 during COVID and, with his partner Jayne Waddington, and other choir members, they provided most of the music for the online Communion Service and monthly Choral Evensongs for the the church during COVID lockdown periods 23-3-2020 to 12-4-2021, with gaps.Whilst Organist, Phil split his time between the organ bench at St. Mark's and singing with Poscimur and Te Decet Hymnus in cathedrals around the country whilst the choir is on holiday. He also occasionally accompanies those choirs and for St. Mark's choir cathderal weekends E.G. Lichfield in September 2023.
Phil is the 3rd Longest serving Assistant Organist and the 5th overall longest Serving Organist since 1854. Phil Johnson is now The Organist at St James the Greater Leicester working with a team of three other musicians and an Organ Scholar.
For more information on St James Music Staff CLICK HERE.
As Phil is on a rota at St James he is able to continue helping at St Mark's on 'Free Sundays' and is now designated as the Official 'Assitant Organist at St Marks' - see below.
Phil is the 3rd Longest serving Assistant Organist and the 5th overall longest Serving Organist since 1854. Phil Johnson is now The Organist at St James the Greater Leicester working with a team of three other musicians and an Organ Scholar.
For more information on St James Music Staff CLICK HERE.
As Phil is on a rota at St James he is able to continue helping at St Mark's on 'Free Sundays' and is now designated as the Official 'Assitant Organist at St Marks' - see below.
(From 4th April 2021⇨⇨ ⇨ )
Current Director of Music
Patricia Howes
(From 4th April 2021⇨⇨ ⇨ )
Current Director of Music
Patricia Howes
A Teacher, for some time ,Head of the Junior Section at the Independent Quaker School, SibfordPatsy Howes is now a part time teacher at Bilton Grange School .As well as DOM, Patsy is currently also the Choir Secretary.
( From 27th April 2025⇨⇨ ⇨ )
Current Organist
Alexander Hooton
( From 27th April 2025⇨⇨ ⇨ )
Current Organist
Alexander Hooton
Alexander added Organ to his Pianistic skills after he attended a Coventry and Warwickshire Organists Association 'Organs for Pianists' event in 2023. He is currently studying for A level music and has achieved Grade 7 on the Piano and Grade 4 on the Organ - both at distinction level.
( From 27th April 2025⇨⇨ ⇨ )
Assistant Organist
( From 27th April 2025⇨⇨ ⇨ )
Assistant Organist
Members of the Assisting Organists Team - 2026
Members of the Assisting Organists Team - 2026
Occasional Practice Organist
Peter Lock,
Organist at St Peter John Rugby.
YOUNG ORGANIST
Sam Horton
Up to date information on activities, services and visits for St Mark's Choir Bilton can be found on their Facebook Page.
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