Committee Members

Elaine Campey –Choir Chairman

Elaine joined the choir in 1974 as a young mother of two small daughters. After a very short time she became librarian and on the retirement of Doris Fellows, she took over the post of Secretary for the next 25 years. She was elected Chairman in February 2009 and her caring nature along with management and leadership skills has contributed to the general well being of the choir.

Her successful introduction to the Kelsborrow Choir Christmas Concert in Chester Cathedral with the Famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band helped to make a truly memorable evening.

Alan Hibbert - Secretary

Alan joined the choir in 1992 soon after moving to Chester from Whitchurch.  He is still a member even though he moved back to Whitchurch in 2002.  He started singing as an alto in the school choir at City of London Freemen's school and soon became a tenor then a bass.  He has been a member of Whitchurch Operatic Society for over 30 years and has taken part in a great many of their productions, usually in the chorus but occasionally has taken a small part.  Now he also sings in the Fauls Singers, a mixed choir based near Whitchurch.

Irene Wilkinson - Choir Social Secretary

Irene moved to Chester in 1986 and did not waste any time in joining the Kelsborrow Choir. Having previously had musical training she took little time to settle into the contralto section.  Shortly after her first choir visit to Holland she took the position of social secretary and was able to use her organising skills in the preparation of social events, Choir dinners etc. and help raise a considerable amount for Choir funds, which enabled us to finance the visits of the Grimethorpe Band and several other events.

Irene is married to Alan Wilkinson our Concert /Front of house Manager.

Ann Woodward- Vice Chair/ Stage Manager

Ann Woodward being married to a member of the Front of House attended all the concerts and was persuaded to join the choir so became a member of the contralto section.

Her first experience of oritoria was to learn from scratch Stainer’s Crucifixion and to all accounts was glad when it was ready for Performance.

In 2001 she became interested in committee and served as assistant to both Secretary and Librarian and now holds her present position as Vice Chair/Stage Manager.

She was able to join us on our trips to Holland, Germany and France.

Bruce Guy

Bruce is a Lancastrian by birth but later settled in Cheshire. In his first year at Leigh Grammar School he was in a production of The Mikado, in the chorus, as a girl, it was not a mixed school! He sang in a church choir, and in the scouts there were camp fire sing songs, but when his voice broke he put all that behind him and concentrated on passing school exams. Then, as a lab assistant in ICI, he had a kindly boss who became his mentor and introduced him to classical music and jazz.

As a teenager he enjoyed hill walking with chums who would sing folksongs around the fire in the evenings; he still has a well thumbed copy of Burl Ives’ Song Book. But college and then industry took over and singing was confined to the bathroom.

In 2004 he heard Stainer’s Crucifixion, given by the Kelsborrow Choir. He enjoyed the evening, had a coffee afterwards and a chat with the choir’s musical director…..!

Janice Anderson - Librarian

Janice has been a lifelong singer, coming from a musical family, singing in many formats as a soloist and chorister. She joined Kelsborrow Choir in 1988 shortly after moving to Cheshire from her native Liverpool. Since 2001 Janice has served on the committee as Librarian, having previously been assistant librarian. She is currently ably assisted by fellow soprano chorister Sylvia Rigby. Janice's husband, Robert, is an honorary life member who enjoys helping as part of the front of house team at many of the choir's performances.

Joan Pidgeon

It was at the end of a Christmas concert some 17 years ago that the MD invited any who would like to sing the Hallelujah Chorus to join the choir on stage, and Joan decided she must be part of this choir. Since then she has become an active member, committee member and "Raffle Queen", raising a great amount for choir funds. Although the oldest member of the choir Joan is always there and makes her presence felt.

Anne Shepherd

Anne regularly sang in the church choir from the age of 14 where she sang in a number of different oratorios as well as hymns and Christmas carols. Then came marriage and three daughters. When the children were old enough to leave she followed the Kelsborrow Choir for many years supporting her husband Barrie who sings in the Tenor section. After taking early retirement from her teaching job in1995 she was able to join the choir in the Contralto Section and in her first year was thrilled to be included in the choir party who visited Vriezenveen in Holland for a week of concerts with other choirs including The Westminster Singers and a youth choir from St. Petersburg and the Vriezenveen Male Voice Choir. There followed visits to France and Germany and another visit to Vriezenveen. Lasting friendships were formed on all these visits and we are still in regular contact.

It is great to be part of the Kelsborrow Choir and to serve on the committee.