Winifred Winter 1910 – 2003
A tribute by Julia Beeken (now Wilson)
Winifred was a
wonderful lady who was loved and respected by all who knew her. Born and bred in Badshot Lea, when she left
FGGS in 1928 she trained at Goldsmiths to become a teacher, and later specialised
in music. She was an accomplished violinist and her choir training was very
highly regarded.
Most of her teaching career was spent
locally, first in primary schools - Newport Road in Aldershot and later Badshot
Lea, and finally as Head of Music in Yeoman’s Bridge, Ash. She contributed a
great deal to the musical life of Aldershot and was a founder member of the
Aldershot Festival; she was in charge of the Choral Section of the Festival for
many years.
In the 1950s she was conductor of the
Laverock Singers, a ladies choir which became very well-known locally and was
in great demand for performances, then after her retirement from teaching she
conducted Trinity Singers, a ladies choir based in Holy Trinity Church,
Aldershot. Winifred herself was a
staunch Methodist and was a very enthusiastic member of the Methodist Circuit
Choir.
Until quite late in her life she was a
keen walker, often in the company of the Coxon sisters, Joan and Nancy, and her
frequent visits to the Lake District were a great joy to her. She was a widely travelled person; in the
early years of her retirement she went on a world tour, accompanied by Rose,
her College friend of long standing, and they had many a fascinating tale to
tell.
Through her inspired teaching, her
choirs, her long association with the Aldershot Festival and the Methodist
Church she touched and enriched the lives of many hundreds of people of all
ages. Winifred had the great gift of
being able to relate to anyone with whom she came in contact. Her genuine interest in everyone, her ready
wit and sense of humour, together with her wide knowledge and deep thinking
made her a very dear and valued friend.
Photograph
taken on the occasion of Winifred’s 90th birthday
13 September, 2003