Grant to assist singing group's recruitment drive

Wilmslow Town Council has approved a £500 grant to help a local singing group with their recruitment drive.

Cheshire A Cappella has been going for 5 years, starting with about 20 women and has grown each year so they now have 44 members who rehearse each week at Morley Club. They have recently started doing their own fundraising events but are largely self-funded through monthly subscriptions.

Speaking at the Town Council meeting on Monday, 21st July, Hilary Pinnock explained "Our aim is to get to 60 members. One of the reasons we want to get to 60 is because we go each year to a UK national championships and 60 is the top number for the class in which we sing and we'll be stronger, sound better, we'll be more resonant and we'll win.

"At the moment we're in that division but with 44 we're sort of middle of the running. That's one of the reasons. Secondly, although we're Cheshire A Cappella we're based in Wilmslow so a lot of the ladies that come to us are from that general area."

Helen Wallage added "We are currently 7th in the UK in the barbershop competition and obviously we would like to have more members to assist us and get us higher in those rankings. We've risen quite well, I think we were 21st a few years ago and we managed to rise to 7, but we can't do without more ladies coming and joining us and enjoying what we do.

"We are a competing chorus but we also have fun, its a great place to hone your music skills, its great for your breathing, its great for your general well being and what you get out of it is not just going and singing."

Cllr Hilary Shepherd responded "I don't really see this as a Wilmslow Town Council grant responsibility."

However, all other councillors disagreed and supported the grant application.

The money will be used for the production of recruitment flyers, design and production of banners and display boards, recruitment packs and teach track CD.