A very early member of the choir, First Tenor, Charles, joined Joe Ripley’s Minstrels, in September, 1950, the small group of singers who became Gledholt Male Voice Choir in 1951. Charles was a Committee Member and also a supporter of the National Male Voice Choir Championships for very many years. In 1984 he was elected Vice President of the choir. Charles was, from 1936, also a singing member of the Huddersfield Choral Society. He was choir master of Paddock Methodist Church and sang with other chapel choirs and Huddersfield Methodist Choir for a number of years.
In his youth, Charles was a keen runner and ran with the Longwood Harriers, his pride and joy being a mantle clock he won in a road race. Charles worked in various industries, finishing his working life in the Woollen Textile Industry. He went on to become the eldest member of the choir and still sang, in fine voice, and in concerts well into his 80’s only stopping when he could no longer stand for long periods. Charles was made a Life Member of the choir and he kept up with attending choir rehearsals pretty much to the end.
Keith Watson
Some of Keith’s other interests were with the Huddersfield Probus group and also stewarding at Colne Valley Museum. Many of the choir members and their partners will remember Keith’s involvement with TocH and his voluntary work, along with his wife, Winifred, in carrying out ‘wardening’ at Talbot house in Poperinge, Belgium. It was through Keith and Winifred’s connection with Talbot House that the choir had the wonderful and emotional experience in May, 2007, of travelling to Belgium, singing at the Menin Gate, Ypres and visiting Talbot House.
Gordon Bairstow
Kenneth Richmond
As a Dental Technician, Ken’s talents and workmanship also extended to Instrument repair. He was also a keen monologist and could be relied upon to perform part of his monologue repertoire at choir concerts.
To add a tribute to a past member of Gledholt Male Voice Choir, please contact the Choir Secretary
Keen choral singer, Keith, joined Gledholt Male Voice Choir in 1981 though his love of singing started much earlier than that. As a teenager he sang in Elland’s Bethseda Chapel Choir and after moving to Lindley, joined Lindley Methodist choir where he sang until it disbanded. Keith also sang in the Huddersfield Methodist choir for a number of years before coming to sing for 28 years with the Gledholt male voices, where he was a well-loved and popular member. Winifred, Keith’s wife was also very involved in choir life and active with the Friends of Gledholt (FOG), helping to raise funds for choir activities. A member of the Bass section, Keith served on the Committee and was the Recruitment Officer for the choir.
Gordon had been a member of Gledholt Male Voice Choir for 8 years and enjoyed singing with the Baritone section of the choir. Gordon was keenly interested in the aims of the choir, always helpful to others and also a member of the Committee between 2003 and 2006. Gordon, along with his wife, Josie, was supportive of choir activities and participated in the many of the choir trips which took place both in the UK and abroad. Gordon was also a member of Probus.
Ken was a valued member of the Baritone Section of Gledholt Male Voice Choir and as a singer, raconteur and compere was always heavily involved at concerts, competitions and social events. Ken also served on the Committee and was involved with the organisation of the National Male Voice Choir Championships, an event which was organised by Gledholt Male Voice Choir for many years.