Press and News - 25th March 2012

Elizabeth Hollingsworth retires as organist

Elizabeth - organist in the Benefice for the last 20 years. Talking to the congregation before receiving her gifts.

A lovely morning for a Benefice service at Stradishall and also a very special occasion. The occasion being the retirement of Elizabeth Hollingsworth as organist in the Bansfield Benefice. Elizabeth, who turns 90 later this year has decided to retire after 20 years of devoted service to the benefice. Elizabeth's main churches were All Saints' Wickhambrook and St Margaret's Stradishall. In a short address at the end of the service the Benefice's Lay Reader, Dr Philip Draycott, spoke about Elizabeth's contribution to the Benefice over the years and thanked her for all her hard work and devoted service. Following the address Elizabeth was presented with a gift, a card and a bouquet of flowers which she clearly was delighted by. She thanked the congregation and concluded the address with a few reminiscences about amusing things she had seen over the years as an organist.

After the service people chatted with Elizabeth over refreshments at the back of church which gave people the chance to thank Elizabeth for all her work as an organist over the years.

Thank you Elizabeth!

Elizabeth - playing the organ at St Margaret's for the last occasion before retiring.

Elizabeth with Sarah and her daughter Elizabeth for whose baptism she played at 12 years ago.