Passion for choir bridges the age gap

HALIFAX, NS — Peter Dalby and his grand-daughter Belinda are
in perfect harmony despite a 52-year age gap.

A keen singer and member of three choirs, Peter has been
associated with Overgate Hospice Choir for almost 20 years. Now his
grand-daughter Belinda, aged 19, has become the choir’s newest
recruit – and its youngest member by some distance.

Belinda, a former pupil at Rastrick High School, can read music
and used to play the cello but had no ambitions to take up choral
singing until encouraged by her grandparents.

“I saw how much my grandad enjoyed it and how much it meant to
him and decided I’d give it a try. My first appearance with the
choir was at Halifax Minster at Christmas and it was a great
experience. Everyone has taken me under their wing and made me feel
very welcome,” said Belinda, whose ambition is to be a police
officer.

Peter, of Smithy Carr Lane, Brighouse, sings with Coley Church
Choir and Elland Male Voice Choir as well as turning out for
Overgate. “I love the camaraderie and the social side as well as
the singing. I’ve made a lot of good friends through choral singing
but with Overgate Hospice Choir there is the bonus of knowing that
we are helping people in need. So far the choir has raised £200,000
to support services for patients at the hospice.”

2011 is an important year for Overgate. Not only is it the
Elland hospice’s 30th anniversary but the choir is also marking 20
years of fund-raising. Peter and Belinda, along with other members,
are busy rehearsing for the choir’s next public appearance – a
concert performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s ‘The Gondoliers’ at
All Saints’ Church, Elland, on Saturday, June 11.