Sidford WI Phoenix Choir in tune to gain fine reputation

A new choir, the Sidford WI Pheonix Choir, is already on song to make quite a name for itself.

It was in fine voice at only its third concert last week when it entertained the Sid Valley Memory Caf�, writes Kingsley Squire.

Now its reputation is in tune to grow with performances in June at the Newton Poppleford Jubilee Variety Show and the flower festival at St Peter’s Church, Sidford.

The choir is the latest in a range of popular craft, cookery and singing activities which have recruited 36 new members into Sidford WI in the past 18 months and with a membership of 92, it is the biggest in East Devon.

“The WI is about making friends, having fun, learning new skills and being part of the local community,” says president, Claire Crouch. “People enjoy doing things they have not done before and, as time goes on, it becomes an important part of their lifestyle.

“Some members of the choir, for example, are enjoying singing for the first time since their school days”

Claire is the conductor of the choir with former music teacher Frances Archer the accompanist on a new portable keyboard funded by the Keith Owen Fund.

It proved a talented combination last week with a finely balanced programme of 13 songs that ended, appropriately, with I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing. Who knows, they might indeed!