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TERRY WAITE CBE
Patron, Warrington Male Voice Choir
Terry Waite has led a
remarkable life both as a diplomat and a humanitarian. As a world-renowned
agent of peace, he is a testament to the power and resilience of the human
spirit. Long devoted to humanitarian causes, inter-cultural relations, and
conflict resolution, Terry gained international recognition in the 1980s when,
serving as a special envoy to the Archbishop of Canterbury, he successfully
negotiated the release of hostages in Iran and Libya. In 1987, while negotiating
the release of hostages in Beirut, Terry Waite was himself taken hostage.
In captivity for 1,763 days - four years of which were in solitary confinement -
he was chained to a wall, often left in darkness, beaten and subjected to mock
executions.
Stress,
loneliness and negotiating under acute pressure are just some of the issues with
which he has unique experience, and his ability to communicate clearly and with
a good humour has placed him in constant demand internationally as a speaker.
Terry provides a perspective of World affairs founded upon open communication,
cooperation and a deep understanding of diverse cultures. In January 1996
he accepted an invitation to become Patron of the Warrington Male Voice Choir,
and since that time has been the choir’s greatest advocate.
He says of the choir:
The
choir has a long and distinguished history. Its roots are deep within the
Christian tradition. It was nourished within a small industrial town in
the North of England. Across the generations, men from every walk of life
have blended their voices together to make music. There have been times in
the history of Warrington when life has seemed dark indeed. Times when
unemployment with all its attendant evils has stalked the town. In good
times, as in bad, the Choir has continued in the belief that music has the
capacity to raise our spirits to a higher plane, and to bring harmony into
troubled souls.
(Taken from the sermon in Christ Church
Cathedral, Dublin, December 1997) .
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