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Sir Jack Layden, former leader of Rotherham Borough Council, was choir president from 1993 to 1996, sadly Sir Jack died in 1996.

He was born in 1926 in the nearby mining community of Maltby, were he witnessed the poverty and heart ache which was the norm for daily life in such areas. He started work down the pit at the age of 14.

Prior to becoming President Sir Jack and his wife, Lady Brenda, had followed our progress with interest and regarded our invitation to become president as an honour.

It was an honour to have him as President and we were privileged to sing at a memorial service held in Rotherham Parish Church in July 1996.

Howard's dynamic and positive approach together with his dedication and enthusiasm has brought us on to greater heights since he first took up the baton in 1989.

A Welshman, he came to live in Anston in 1976. Howard was brought up in a musical tradition of choral singing. He has sung with Gwent Youth Choir, University College, London Society, The London Student Chorale (with whom he sang in concert at The Royal Festival Hall and The Royal Albert Hall). He also toured with them abroad. He has also been a member of Leicester Male Voice Choir.

Cynthia, our accompanist, studied music at Ripon College of Education and has trained various school choirs and recorder groups during her teaching career. She was the accompanist for Woodsetts Choral Group for several years and succeeded Winnie Pearce as our accompanist in 1983.

Wilf Clarke had such a natural talent for music he was a proficient organist at the age of 12, an instrument he studied under Sheffield City Organist Professor H.C. Bitcliffe, he obtained his choral training under Dr. Desmond McMahon.

Most of his musical life was spent in the south of England where he held posts as Organist and Choirmaster of Welling Parish Church, Margate Parish Church and the historic church of Long Melford, Suffolk.

Over the years he has trained and conducted various choirs many of which achieved considerable reputations and a vast experience in directing massed and augmented choirs in major festivals. He was also much in demand as a competition adjudicator.

On his return to the area he lost no time in joining our choir and was quickly appointed deputy Conductor and Deputy to the accompanist. He sang in the Bass section an experience which he at the time was new, relaxing and extremely enjoyable.

On the retirement of Jim Thompson he was appointed Musical Director with Howard Thomas as his Deputy and once again the choir was to reap the benefit of being under the leadership of an exceptional and gifted musician. Unfortunately due to ill health Wilf had to cut down on his commitment and handed over over the leadership to Howard.

Jim had a very varied and successful musical career, as early as 1929 he was a bandsman with the famous Callenders Cable Works Band taking part with them in their 150th radio broadcast. In 1939, along with his brother George (who became famous in brass band circles), Jim founded Belvedere Male Voice Choir.

Because of the war Jim was transferred to Coventry in 1940 where he also formed a choir. In 1942 he moved to Grimethorpe having been offered a position with their famous colliery band. He made over a hundred with the Grimethorpe band. During his time at Grimethorpe he also conducted Houghton Main Band and Stocksbridge Band where he enjoyed great success.

Jim was proud to think that in 1947 he was offered a position in the BBC Northern Orchestra but as at the time he was also conducting Frickley Colliery Band as well as other bands he was unable to accept the offer. However in 1953 an opportunity came to conduct Odhams Press Band where he also enjoyed great success.

Having formed three Male Voice Choirs Jim could have claimed that this was his second love after Brass Bands, we were very lucky to have enjoyed the services of such a gifted musician who could have proudly claimed to have participated in over 300 broadcast during hid career.

Details to follow soon

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