The Church of England

It was only two years ago that Sophie Preece started sprint training at the Altrincham and District Athletic Club in Timperley and yet last season she won all her races in local competitions. From those events she progressed to representing Greater Manchester in the English Schools contest in Gateshead, where she was selected to run for the England team in the UK Schools Games held in Sheffield over the first weekend in September. Her events were the 300 metre sprint and the 4 x 300 metre relay. Aged 16, she is rather quaintly known as an 'inter girl' but her next step is to join the senior girls, when she will be running in 400 metre races. She has not yet known the thrill of the winner's podium in a national competition but Sophie loves the buzz of competition and her recent experience has spurred her on to train even harder. Three or four times a week she does work-outs at the Athletic Club to develop strength and fitness, as well as sprint training on the track. Although it's a demanding regime, 'I love going down there,' she says simply.

While Sophie was running in Sheffield, Isabel Sinagola was singing in Durham with our church choir. Having joined the choir at the age of eight, she has now enjoyed ten summers singing for a week in different cathedrals. Other special experiences afforded by her choir membership include singing at weddings—recently performing her first solo—and recording with the BBC. Isabel has had formal singing lessons since she was 11, first at Altrincham Girls' Grammar School and more recently with distinguished local singing teacher Jayne Wilson (whose son Michael is a treble in our choir). The splendid outcome of her dedication and hard work is a choral scholarship which she will hold for three years in the University of Oxford, at Somerville College, where her mother, Sue—also a member of the choir—was a student before her. Starting this October, Isabel will be studying for a degree in English, while singing a service each week, and performing at recitals and formal college events. Not surprisingly, she is very excited about it. She is also very grateful to our Director of Music, Sasha Johnson Manning, who encouraged her to aim for a scholarship from the age of 12. 'It's a wonderful opportunity,' Isabel says, 'and I couldn't have done it without all I have gained from the church choir.'

We offer our warmest congratulations to these two young members of our congregation, whose commitment and dedication have brought them deserved success.

www.altrincham-athletics.co.uk www.jaynewilson.net