Belvoir choirmaster becomes MBE
Warmest congratulations to Geoffrey Cherry who was awarded the MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List announced just over a week ago.
Geoffrey is the Principal of Pond Park Primary School, Lisburn, and has been honoured for services to Education. Many of us in Down and Dromore will also know him as the popular choirmaster and pianist in Belvoir Parish where he has served for almost 25 years.
He said: “I was obviously delighted to receive the news a few weeks ago! It is an honour I accept on behalf of many people who have journeyed with me. I’ve been blessed to have worked with outstanding colleagues who have supported me professionally and personally throughout my career. I also value the role of my school Governors who have selflessly invested so much time into Pond Park.
“I only ever wanted to teach and this award is dedicated too to the children I’ve met along the way.
“I have been involved in the music team in Belvoir for close on 25 years. Belvoir is a wonderful, accepting community of people. I’m ‘in charge’ of the choir and we meet weekly; a unique group of people who support each other in so many ways.
“Belvoir is such an exciting church to belong to and the music and worship is valued and appreciated by all…so much so that our Rector Adrian is also a member of the choir too!”
Rector, Revd Adrian McCartney, couldn’t speak more highly of his dedicated and modest choirmaster:
“Geoffrey runs a choir that goes way beyond choir. Last week the child of one of the choir was in hospital and the choir took the hours right through the night on rota to keep this child constantly in prayer. Sometimes music is way down the list, but that is Geoffrey all over. He pursues the important, provides for the people, shapes the systems to create opportunity and welcomes the contributions of all. We all love him to bits and love that he has been noticed.”