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The Parish Church of St Wulfram, Grantham

This church is a noble building in every aspect, one of the largest medieval churches in the country, seating around 700 people.  Simon  Jenkins in his book "England''s Thousand Best Churches" awards it a five star rating, in part for the tower and spire.  "Here is the finest steeple in England", he writes.  Constructed in the early 1300s, at 282 ft. the spire is one of the highest in the country on a parish church, dominating the views of the town. The church is built of Lincolnshire limestone, probably from around the Ancaster area.

This Parish Church has been fortunate to enjoy the benefits of a thriving musical tradition for many years based around an active choir and a magnificent 4 manual organ. This has enabled the church to fulfil its role as a place of worship for its parishioners as well as a centre for civic occasions for the town and local schools. It is an exciting challenge to sustain and build on this tradition.

The Music Director at St Wulfram's

Dr Tim Williams was appointed as Director of Music in January 2008. He is committed to a programme of steady growth and development of the music of the church.

In the short time he has been at St Wulfram's, the choir has grown substantially in both numbers and the quality and range of music performed. A Chamber Choir has been formed, and the outreach to schools has started. Our first organ scholar has been appointed.

The Philip Lank Trust

In October 2008, this foundation was established as a charitable Trust to underpin this work and attract the funds to enable this to happen.

The Objects of the Trust are: " To advance the education of the parishioners of St Wulfram’s Church Grantham and the town of Grantham and the local region by the provision of a centre of training to enhance, safeguard and sustain the highest standards of sacred and secular choral and organ music, and for the general benefit of the community and to further such charitable purpose or purposes as the trustees in their absolute discretion shall from time to time determine"

The trustees aim to provide, as its resources permit, financial support:

• for youth choristers for instrumental and vocal tuition
• keyboard tuition and training in church musicianship for musicians in local parish churches
• the running of choral workshops which are open to other local choirs
• outreach work involving the choirs of St Wulfram’s Church singing for services and workshops in neighbouring churches
• musical outreach to local schools.

These activities require the services and commitment of a full-time Music Director, as well as some supporting funds for the outreach activities. The Philip Lank Trust is seeking to create a substantial endowment, so that these may be funded on a permanent basis out of interest on the endowment.

As well as setting up the Trust, work has started on the musical outreach to local schools and the St Wulfram’s Chamber Choir has been formed.

As the endowment grows through donations, grants and bequests, we shall be able to increase the range of activities that the Trust can support.

The trustees aim to publish a newsletter approximately twice a year to keep donors, friends and choir members past and present informed on what we are doing. The latest newsletter is available to download here.

Philip Lank

The Trust has been named after Philip Lank, who has done so much for music making in Grantham, and St Wulfram’s in particular where he was Organist and Choirmaster for 23 years.

This picture was taken before the gilding of the organ case was done in 1972 as part of the Bishop Geoffrey Warde bequest.

He was also the first Conductor of the Grantham Choral Society which he led for over 30 years, and helped to launch the Grantham Music Festival.

He remains a strong supporter of those organisations he has contributed so much to.

A message from the Bishop of Grantham

"I am delighted to see the formation of the Philip Lank Trust and affirm and encourage the intentions of the Trustees to enhance, safeguard and sustain the highest levels of choral music in the Grantham area. Grantham has made substantial contributions to education, not least in music, over the centuries and the Church has often been at the centre of this worthwhile activity.

I am therefore also particularly pleased to note the intention to work in the surrounding schools and parishes in the Grantham area.

I wish this venture every success."

Rt Revd Dr Tim Ellis, Suffragan Bishop of Grantham