Flowers, chocolates and cake are what children typically present on Mothering Sunday. However, this year, on 10th March, Wymondham Abbey welcomes the Robert Kett Primary School Choir to participate in a special musical eucharist service. The Abbey Choir and the Robert Kett Primary School Choir have collaborated several times before with performances at Harvest Thanksgiving and during Advent.

However, this performance will be extra special: The Abbey’s Musical Director, Rob Goodrich has made a new arrangement of a classic pop song 'Mother of Mine' by Bill Parkinson especially for Mothering Sunday, which incorporates the piano, a guitar, backing vocals and even a muted trumpet – all played by members of the Abbey Choir. “Mother of Mine” is a tender pop song, expressing depths of gratitude and love with a soulful catchy tune.

The Robert Kett Primary School Choir, will be singing the lead part, originally sung by Neil Reid, who at the age of 12 on 13 December 1971, won Opportunity Knocks singing his version of 'Mother of Mine'. The song [1] which, when released commercially by Decca Records shortly afterwards, went to number two on the UK Singles Chart following a performance on Top of the Pops.

The school choir, led by Julia Dove, will be joined by members of the Abbey Junior Choir to form a multitude of young voices between the ages of 5 – 13. Surely, Neil would be delighted. The combined choirs will also be performing John Rutter’s sacred choral composition from 1978 “For the beauty of the earth.” Recorded several times, it has been described as 'one of Rutter's more popular, enduring anthems'.[2]

Rob Goodrich: We are looking forward to welcoming Robert Kett Choir once again and to be able to continue to reach out our music making and fellowship into the community.

Julia Dove: I wanted to find a song which would reflect the meaning of Mothering Sunday, while remaining accessible to all – regardless of faith or belief. Not all our children have been in a church or attended a Sunday service before, and this can be overwhelming while exciting at the same time. The children have been practising hard and are very much looking forward to taking part in the Sunday celebrations and joining in the fun Messy Church activities, led by Lorna Goodrich.

Singing with the Abbey Choir is a wonderful opportunity for the children to experience some great music and see other musicians perform. The Abbey is extremely welcoming, and it is wonderful to have such a supportive local community for music in Wymondham. Come and hear the music for yourself - everyone is welcome. Mothering Sunday on 10th March at 10:30 in the Abbey. The Bishop of Norwich will be preaching. There will be tea, coffee and biscuits afterwards. Don’t forget to wear a roll-neck!