Choir’s on song as members mark 25th anniversary

By Rhianne Pope »

WHEN a handful of friends set up a singing group in 1985, they
never thought it would go beyond that.

But next month the Headington Singers celebrate their 25th
anniversary with a special concert.

And the 90 members, comprising men and women aged 20 to 80, have
been packing out churches across the city.

Founder member Carolyn Gulliver, 71, said: “We were originally
just a little group of women who thought there was no choir in
Headington, so we started a group called Singing for Pleasure, at
the Headington Community Centre.

“We got all sorts of interesting people coming along, including
those who liked folk or opera, but we wanted to do something a bit
more traditional.”

The only other original member is Maureen Cooper, who has
provided piano accompaniment.

Mrs Gulliver said: “We asked for a piano player at the
beginning, and saw this little hand go up.

“I think Maureen was just trying to get a bit of relief from her
two young children, but she is the most fantastic accompaniment in
the world.”