It was the end of an era when the much-loved singers and musicians gave their final performance in a world famous Norwich chapel.

For 40 glorious years they have given us so much pleasure at more than 350 concerts raising large amounts of money to help others far and wide at the beautiful and elegant Georgian Octagon Chapel in the city.

November’s concert was the last one for the musical director Mary Rae,  accompanist Judy Tovey and the Octagon Singers.

A collection of people who have never received fees or expenses so all the money raised went to charities and good causes nominated by the performers.

It started in 1984 with an idea from Octagon member Betty Rathbone. She had always realised the potential of the wonderful chapel and came up with a plan to launch the Octagon Concert Series.

She met music teacher Mary Rae…and the rest is history.

Mary Rae receiving her Curwen College of Music Fellowship from Nicholas Groves at the Octagon Chapel.  Photo: Rosie Rogers For the first concert Mary asked her friend and colleague from Heartsease High School, Shirley Hallums, to help find a choir and to conduct the concert.

They enjoyed singing and decided to stay together. After a few years it was suggested they should have a name. The Octagon Singers.

Mary took over from Shirley as conductor in 2000 and Judy Tovey has been the accompanist since 1987.

More than 200 charities and good causes have been supported by the concerts over the years where people have listened to a large range of music ranging from Elton John and Simon and Garfunkel to Handel and Bach…and so much more.

“It’s been an incredible journey to share so much beautiful music and raise vital funds for so many deserving causes over the past four decades,” said Mary, who was given a British Citizen Award for service to arts in 2015.

“I’m especially in awe of the dedication of Octagon Singers in freely giving up their time on countless occasions to raise money for charity,” she added.

The organ at the Octagon. Bought for £40, Rebuilt by the famous Norman and Beard company in 1899 and overhauled again in 2002. Photo: Newsquest. 

“I’d like to pay tribute to all those who have enabled the concerts to take place, whether they be the stewards, performers, attendees or narrators, thank you to each and every one of you. The Octagon Singers will always hold a very special in my heart,” said Mary, a teacher at Heartsease  School for 27 years.

And on behalf of all our readers I would like to thank them for all they have done over 40 years. Singing for us and raising money for others. The final concert raised money for Nelson’s Journey and the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

The Octagon Concert Series will continue with concerts booked for next year.

The Octagon Unitarian Chapel in Colegate, Norwich, from a drawing by James Sillett, 1828. (Image: Submitted)

*The Octagon Unitarian Chapel on Colegate was built in 1753-6, replacing a meeting house on the same site, built for the first minister in 1689.

It cost £5,174. 15s 8d and every penny had been raised by the congregation.

The Minister Dr John Taylor laid the foundation stone and when travelling preacher John Wesley visited in 1757 he said: “I was shown Dr Taylor’s new meeting house, perhaps the most elegant in all Europe.”

Today the Octagon Unitarian Chapel is a community of open hearts and minds who seek meaning, nourish the spirit and engage with our diverse and changing world.

The historic and important Octagon Unitarian Chapel in Norwich. (Image: Mary Rae)