Out and about
        LOCAL STARS TURN OUT
FOR WILLOW WOOD
Willow Wood are proud to announce that the well-known, and well-loved, local celebrities Mark Llewellin and Jane Hodson will be donating their services as Master and Mistress of Ceremonies at the forthcoming Willow Ball.
  The wonderful Mark Llewellin and Jane Hodson.
150 years of song
Following their weekly rehearsal on
the 28th August 2019, members of the Saddleworth Male Voice Choir congregated in the Uppermill Conservative Club to honour three of their members with long service awards.
John Lapworth who sings with the bass section has served 40 years. In 1979 John was a member of the Bamford Chapel Choir in Rochdale and was invited to join SMVC by Walter Brisk who was musical director of both choirs. He has really enjoyed his time singing with the choir, both at concerts and festivals in the UK, and the overseas visits to Germany, Holland, Italy and Slovenia.
Stuart Iles joined the fifirst tenor section of the choir in1969 and has completed 50 years service. Stuart has held several posts on the choir committee, having been choir secretary for 10 years, membership secretary for 11 years and is currently the choir librarian, a post he has held since 2002. He has also sung with the Colne Valley Male Voice Choir for the past 33 years and was made an Honorary Life Member of SMVC in 2013.
John Redfearn has completed an astonishing 60 years membership with the choir. John’s father was a founder member of the choir and John became a member when he completed his post school studies. He has had a phenomenal relationship with the choir, having served in every position on the committee and even marrying the choir’s founding MD Denis Jones’s daughter back in 1967.
John says,“Several members and friends of both our families have been involved with and supported the choir on many occasions. I recall one particular performance of Messiah conducted by Denis when I, my father, brother, wife, her mother, uncle and cousin all took part in the chorus. John was made an Honorary Life Member of SMVC in 2012.”
The event concluded with a presentation to Mr. Malcolm Hill, who has completed 35 years as the Choir President.
Rear L to R, John Redfearn (60 yrs), Malcolm John Watts (Chairman), Front L to R, Stuart Margaret Hill, John Lapworth (40 yrs)
Hill (President), Dorian Kelly (MD),
Iles (50 yrs), Brends Iles, Dilys Redfearn,
Mark is a patron of the Hospice and has hosted a number of fundraising events at Daisy Nook Garden Centre, where he juggles his directorship with after-dinner speaking, hosting events and writing. Jane is also no stranger to Willow Wood, they were co-hosts of the Ashton Variety Show, produced and directed by Mark at the sadly missed Tameside Hippodrome. They have worked together for 27 years after meeting while working on a radio documentary and have delighted audiences ever since as after-dinner speakers, broadcasters and more.
The Willow Ball is being held at the Best Western Smokies Park Hotel on Saturday 5 October, with the wonderful Andy Powell and His Swing Band as the headline entertainers. This eight piece band will be playing a mix of classic American standards together with more up-tempo hits to get everyone on the dance flfloor.
Elaine McConnell is the organiser of the Ball and said “I can’t tell you how much we’re all looking forward to the evening. It’s a celebration of Willow Wood’s 20 years here at the heart of our community,
and we’d love as many of our supporters as possible to join us for an amazing night out. As well as the Andy Powell Band we’ll be having a number of other guests – we can’t tell you who they are, as we don’t want to spoil the fun!
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank local businesses Your Tax Shop who have taken out the Platinum Sponsorship Package and the Liz Pollard Consultancy for their Bronze Sponsorship. By making these fantastic donations, they are ensuring that more of the proceeds will come back to Willow Wood where they will be used to care for our patients and their families.”
Whether you would like to book two tickets as a special night out with a partner, or a table of ten as a thank you to clients or colleagues, Elaine urges you to book early. “We’ve already sold around half of the tables, so please don’t leave it too late. Just go to www.willowwood.info where you can book online, easily, quickly and securely.”
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www.AroundSADDLEWORTH.co.uk
Rear L to R, Malcolm Hill (President), Dorian Kelly (MD), John Watts (Chairman), Front L to R, Stuart Iles (50 yrs), John Redfearn (60 yrs), John Lapworth (40 yrs)