Maggie Pedder, our Chair of Trustees, wins the Family Volunteer of the Year award

Eleanor Pullen • May 2, 2022

On Friday 29th April 2022, the Military Wives Choirs had the pleasure of attending and performing at the 2022 Celebrating Forces Families Awards—and we were delighted to watch our Chair of Trustees, Maggie Pedder, win the Family Volunteer of the Year award. 

 

Maggie is a modest person, having spent most of her life in a “behind the scenes” role, with very little public recognition. She started volunteering in the 1990s with SSAFA and Relate whilst her husband was serving in the Army in Germany. Maggie continued to volunteer her time with the Army Families Federation, the Army Widows Association, the Peter Cowley African Trust, ABF the Soldiers’ Charity, and the Military Wives Choirs—both since its inception in 2012 and as Chair over the past three years. 

 

As a charity, we have benefitted greatly from Maggie’s support since she joined us, and we are so pleased that her valuable contributions to the charity sector have been marked with such a prestigious award. We look forward to continuing to progress under the guidance of Maggie, and we are very excited to see how we grow over the coming months and years. 


February 27, 2025
Military Wives Choirs Bids Farewell to Hilary Davan Wetton and Appoints Joanna Tomlinson as the new Artistic Director
November 8, 2024
We are delighted to have received a letter of thanks from The King, expressing his appreciation for our new single, ‘November Sunday’, a song presented as an early birthday gift to celebrate His Majesty’s forthcoming birthday on 14th November. In the letter, The King said: “I am writing to express my warmest possible gratitude for your very kind early birthday present, in the form of your new single, ‘November Sunday’. While those of us of a certain age may feel the need for any such birthday celebrations is in inverse proportion to our advancing years, I am none the less deeply touched by your wonderfully thoughtful tribute. “I also wanted to thank you for your steadfast support not only for your loved ones serving in our Military, who sacrifice so much time away from you and your families to protect us, but also for one another. “Having sung in a choir myself when I was at school, I know the joy of performing together can create close-knit friendships and support groups, and I remain a firm believer that music has a unique power to unite and inspire us all. My wife joins me in sending you all our blessings and kindest wishes.” ‘November Sunday’, released on 1st November, is a tribute to His Majesty and reflects the strong ties between the Royal Family and the Armed Forces. The song’s evocative lyrics reflect the joy brought to post-war Britain on 14th November 1948, marking the birth of the future King and celebrating the enduring bond with his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.  The piece was recorded by 100 singers from the Military Wives Choirs, drawn from the network in the UK and overseas, alongside the magnificent sounds of The Band of the Household Cavalry. With music and lyrics by John McLaren, the track brings together the nostalgia of the 1940s, enhanced by the artistry of platinum-selling producer Sean Hargreaves (Sigala, Paloma Faith, Ella Eyre) and arranger Steve Turner. This cross-genre production offers both the formality of a military ensemble and a bright, pop-influenced appeal. ‘November Sunday’ is available on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube: all links to the project can be found here .
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