THE choral legacy of the late Lorraine Mulholland is set to be carried on with the revival of music in the Eddleston community.

The village has been silent for over a year.

COVID forced the church to close its doors, and since the death of musical legend Lorraine, the choirs she created have never reunited in person to sing together.

But next week, that is set you change, as the choirs warm up their vocal chords to carry on the melody in her memory.

Lorraine, who was the former Session Clerk of Eddleston Parish, was said to have been “blessed with a beautiful voice”.

And, she was one of the founding members of the choirs, Eddleston Voices and the Junior Choir.

Reverend Pamela Strachan says the groups coming together again is something Lorraine would have wanted, and it honours the dedication and devotion to music within the community.

She added: “Throughout the COVID lockdown, things have been very quiet as the church was not open for services. Sadly, we also lost our much-loved organist and choir director, Lorraine Mulholland, when she died very suddenly and unexpectedly in April 2020.

“This was a great shock to everyone, particularly for the Junior Choir and Eddleston Voices.

“Everyone is keen to re-start music in Eddleston and for Lorraine’s memory to live on.

“Throughout COVID lockdown, we’ve been without services in the Kirk, although Eddleston Voices continued with Zoom rehearsals with the group led by Roger and Anne Rogers.”

Musical director Andrew Henthorn has been appointed to ensure that Lorraine’s musical legacy is continued.

Born and brought up in Enfield, north London, Andrew started his church music career at St Andrew’s Parish Church as a young chorister, for it to continue, 47 years later, after he was appointed organist and choir leader at Eddleston Church.

Andrew intends to revive the former Junior Choir and is also taking over and conducting the Eddleston Voices.

Andrew moved to Peebles nearly two years ago with his wife, joining the choir at The Old Parish Church.

He sang and assisted the director of music, Sarah Brown, to occasionally lead the choir and play the organ.

During the COVID restrictions, Andrew has assisted with the production of the online Sunday services, the Christmas Festival of Lessons and Carols and the Holy Week Services.

In addition to church music, Andrew is a volunteer mentor with the Peebles Youth Trust.

And, up until the coronavirus restrictions, he was a volunteer teaching assistant and choir leader at Priorsford Primary School.

He said: “I am very much looking forward to leading the music at Eddleston Church, conducting ‘The Voices’ and revive the ‘Junior Choir’. I wish to increase the membership of singers from the whole community of and around Eddleston.

“My vision is to involve both choirs in community life to the benefit of all in and around Eddleston through concerts and local events where the range of music styles will be offered to the enjoyment of everyone.

“Also, in time, I would like to create an Eddleston Parish Church Choir to enhance services at the church and local community.”

Eddleston Kirk will be reopening for the first time after the COVID closure on Sunday, September 5 at 11.30am with Andrew at the organ.

Eddleston Voices re-starts on Thursday, September 9 at 7.30pm in Eddleston Parish Church. No audition is required, just a love of singing. Details on the Junior Choir will be announced soon.

For more information email: music.eddleston@gmail.com