Crime & Safety
New book shines light on forgotten Magdalen College musician
John Varley Roberts, one of Victorian England’s most celebrated choral trainers and organist of Magdalen College, Oxford, is the subject of a new book by music scholar Professor David Baker.
It shines a light on the musician’s impact on British church music, tracing a career that took Roberts from Halifax Parish Church in Yorkshire to national recognition.
Professor Baker, director of the Halifax Organ Academy and an accredited tutor with the Royal College of Organists, said: “Roberts’ influence was considerable and enduring at a time when church music was undergoing a significant transformation in Britain.
“He influenced generations of choristers, musicians, and choir directors, sitting alongside John Stainer and Walter Parratt as one of the greats of his generation.
“After becoming organist and choirmaster at Halifax Parish Church in 1868, he transformed music there.”
Roberts went on to become organist at Magdalen, where he served from 1883 to 1918.
During his tenure, the choir was regarded as the best in the country, and his compositions—40 anthems, four full services, organ solos, songs, part songs, and the cantata Jonah—were widely performed.
His anthem Seek ye the Lord remains popular internationally.
Professor Baker first learned of Roberts while studying at Cambridge University in 1968.
He said: “At the time I was organist at St Paul’s, Stanningley, Leeds.
“An elderly lady was a regular attender; she introduced herself as the niece of a famous choirmaster.
“I thought little of the encounter until 1972, when, for my dissertation, I was researching the music of Halifax Parish Church, discovering that Dr John Varley Roberts had been organist and choirmaster there, and the music had been second to none.
“I made the connection and sought out Edith Annie Roberts, the lady in question. As I walked into her front parlour, I saw a huge photograph hanging over the fireplace: Roberts in his Oxford DMus robes.”
Professor Baker said: “I was struck by how little remembered he was.
“Roberts was one of those forgotten Victorians who, in their day, had a considerable impact and influence on Victorian church music.”
Roberts’ music, aside from his most famous anthem, had fallen out of use—even at Magdalen College.
To mark the centenary of Roberts’ death in 2020, Professor Baker edited all of Roberts’ organ works for publication and encouraged his choirs to perform them.
He said: “They all enjoyed doing so, and it became clear that Roberts’ rise from an upper working-class background in mid-nineteenth-century Leeds deserved further study.”
The biography, John Varley Roberts and Religious Musical Life in Nineteenth-Century Britain, will be published by Taylor and Francis on April 21.
Professor Baker will host recitals and lectures to launch the book in both Halifax and Oxford later in the year.
Results from a consultative ballot announced on Tuesday afternoon (March 31) reveal 94 per cent of firefighters said ‘yes’ to strike action on a 71 per cent turnout.
Threats have been made that unless the cuts are scrapped, strike action could be seen this summer.
Oxfordshire County Council‘s Fire and Rescue Service is looking to close five fire stations, remove six fire engines and axe 42 firefighters under the proposals.
Stations in Henley, Woodstock and Eynsham would be shut down while Rewley Road and Kidlington would also be shut to merge together in North Oxford.
Fire Brigade Union’s general secretary Steve Wright said the result “could not be clearer” and warned that if the council doesn’t “move quickly to scrap” the proposals, strike action “moves ever closer”.
Mr Wright, a firefighter in Oxfordshire for two decades, said: “The proposals we are facing will put public safety, firefighter safety and our communities at risk.
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“This is simply not something we can stand by and let happen.
“We have written to those responsible for proposing these cuts on this much valued public service to withdraw these proposals.
“There can be no price put on the safety of firefighters and the public we serve, and we will do all we can to stop these cuts from happening.
“If that means moving to a formal ballot for strike action then that is what we will do.
“It is not too late for those in authority to step back from the edge and do what is right for the fire and rescue service and for the public.
“As well as our message to Oxfordshire County Council, we will take this argument to government, to the fire minister and to the prime minister.
“They need to be aware of the real damage these cuts will have when it comes to the safety of the public we serve.”
Johnny Shuker, Oxfordshire brigade secretary, added firefighters are ready to strike as soon as this summer if the cuts are not abandoned.
“More wildfires and extreme weather events are expected during the summer months,” said Mr Shuker.
“By refusing to shelve these cuts, the county council is leaving firefighters with no choice but to go on strike during that time.
“It is playing fast and loose with public safety and that of firefighters by pressing ahead with these cutbacks.”
Oxfordshire County Council has been approached for further comment.
The former Top Gear and The Grand Tour presenter lives in Oxfordshire, where he runs Diddly Squat Farm in Chadlington and The Farmer’s Dog pub in Asthall, near Burford.
More recently, he has become known for starring in Clarkson’s Farm on Amazon Prime, which documents his time running the 1,000-acre farm.
He has been a vocal supporter of the UK’s farming industry, regularly highlighting the issues the sector is facing.
READ MORE: Wildlife TV legend praises Jeremy Clarkson over Clarkson’s Farm
In addition, in late 2024, he marched in London as part of a protest against a new 20 per cent inheritance tax on farms valued over £1 million from April 2026.
With the tax about to come into force, Mr Clarkson has revealed he has been making plans for his death in his latest The Sunday Times column.
It comes as he has previously revealed that he underwent emergency heart surgery in 2024 at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital after suffering pains.
Whilst setting down some brutally honest plans for his funeral as well as burial, and will, Mr Clarkson brought up the topic of organ donation.
READ MORE: Locals fear Jeremy Clarkson will move to town with Richard Hammond
Speaking on Organ Donor Cards, he revealed: “I know I should carry one. It’s the right thing to do.
“But I’ve always had a nagging doubt that I might be wrong about God and that if I give my eyes to a motorcyclist and it turns out there is a heaven, I’d be pretty cross with myself.”
Mr Clarkson will return to screens later this year with the fifth series of Clarkson’s Farm, which is expected to be released on Prime Video in May.
Football fans in the city are set for a memorable evening this autumn, as three former footballers will come together for a special live event at the Kassam Stadium.
Andy Cole, David May, and Clayton Blackmore will be speaking as part of An Evening with Manchester United Legends on Thursday, September 17.
This will give supporters a rare opportunity to hear first-hand stories from three players who were part of one of the most successful eras in the club’s history.
READ MORE: When Brazil legend and World Cup winner Pele held an Oxford United shirt
Hosted in a live, on-stage interview format, the event will take fans behind the scenes of life at one of the world’s biggest football clubs.
From dressing room moments to title-winning campaigns and unforgettable European nights, the evening promises insight, humour and plenty of untold stories.
A limited number of VIP tickets will also be available, offering fans the chance to meet Andy Cole, David May and Clayton Blackmore in person, along with a professional photograph.
The second half of the evening will feature an audience Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to ask their own questions and hear even more personal stories from the players.
READ MORE: Manchester City star spotted at Cotswolds hotel
A spokesperson for the event said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for fans to get up close to true Manchester United legends and hear stories you simply won’t hear anywhere else.
“It’s set to be a brilliant night for football fans in Oxford and beyond.”
The event is open to anyone aged 14 and over and will run for approximately two and a half hours, including an interval.
Standard tickets are priced from £39 while VIP tickets cost £79.
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