Vergers
When I arrived in the village, people were still talking very lovingly about the Verger, John Lively who had died in the 1950’s. The extract from the Stratford Herald gives a good picture of him:-
“His dignified walk up the nave, his steady gait while mounting the steps of the Chancel, and the methodical way he turns to his desk and reaches for his spectacles, all belie his years. In the truly traditional manner, he leads the people, being first with the amens and responses saying them in a loud voice.”
Jack Radbourne was the Verger when I arrived, and he based his conduct in serving as Verger, on John Lively, with perfect accomplishment – including the loud amens. Jack also had a strong bass singing voice. So did Ralph Dodd who sat opposite him.
Ralph sang each bass note with perfect precision and timing. Jack wandered a bit in his bass notes, occasionally hitting the same note as Ralph – and sometimes not! Both men entirely obscured the trebles who sat behind them, boys one side and women and girls the other, and their strong bass voices almost drowned theirs! The congregation didn’t fare very well either! But the two mens’voices could be heard clearly outside in the street.