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Officers and Constitution

The choir is managed via a steering group composed of the officers and up to five other choir members as detailed below.

Musical Directors

Lester SimpsonLester Simpson

Lester is our Musical Director. He is a choir leader, singer, songwriter and musician. For 25 years he has been writing a range of songs, the overtly political, environmental, lullabies, songs of the Great War, love songs. Mojo magazine described him as “an exceptional song writer”. Most widely known for his work with acclaimed a cappella trio “Coope Boyes and Simpson”, surprisingly he also finds time to work as a soloist. He conducts our main Sunday rehearsals and often supplies new arrangements for the choir.



Penny BarfieldPenny Barfield

Penny is our Assistant Musical Director. Penny is a music teacher mainly specialising in younger people.



Janet RussellJanet Russell

Janet was the first Musical Director of the choir. She remains a good friend of the choir and occasionally acts as a visiting MD. Janet manages several other choirs.



Officers and Steering Group

Steering Group coordinator: Louise Lewis

Choir Treasurer: George Mahoney

The officers above plus the following comprise the Choir Steering Group.

  • Penny Barfield
  • Sue Sumner
  • Kate Ridley
  • Frances Naggs

Leek Peace Choir Constitution

  1. Name

The name of the Choir shall be Leek Peace Choir, hereafter referred to as 'the Choir' or ‘the membership’.

  1. Aims and Objectives

Through singing, to promote peace, friendship, reconciliation and a fair, sustainable world.
To sing together in a welcoming and supportive safe environment to foster friendship and well-being.
To organise or participate in events which correspond well to the above aims.

  1. Membership

Membership of the Choir is open to all over the age of eighteen.
There is no formal audition process or requirement to read music.
Membership fees will be determined by the Steering Group and reviewed annually.
Members’ contact details will be recorded solely for the purpose of communication.

  1. Officers and Steering Group

The officers of the Choir will consist of Steering Group Co-ordinator and Treasurer.
The Steering Group will consist of the above officers and between three and six other Choir members and will meet as necessary.
The Steering Group will have the power to co-opt additional help from the membership where appropriate.
Officers will be elected or re-elected at the AGM by vote of the Choir membership.
The Steering Group may notify matters of import to the Choir membership for discussion and decision, possibly entailing Extraordinary General Meetings of the Choir.

  1. Meetings and Annual General Meeting

There will be regular rehearsals led by the Musical Director (MD) and Assistant Musical Director (AMD) as appropriate.
Additional rehearsals may be arranged before performances.
There will be an AGM within two months following the end of the financial year. The Steering Group will provide reports, and election of Officers and Steering Group members will take place at the AGM.
Any proposed changes to this Constitution must be notified to the Steering Group Co-ordinator at least three weeks before the AGM and must be supported and seconded by Choir members. Proposed changes will be put to the membership for approval/rejection.

  1. Finances

The financial year will end on 31st March each year.
The Choir will maintain a bank account with cheques requiring two signatures. The Treasurer and two other Steering Group members will be designated as signatories as agreed by the membership.
The Choir will employ a Musical Director and Assistant Musical Director if appropriate who will negotiate terms and conditions with the Steering Group.
The Treasurer will make an annual report of finances at the AGM detailing income, expenditure and any distributions to charity or charities as agreed by the membership. This report will be made available for scrutiny to the membership.

  1. Quorum

Steering Group meetings shall comprise at least four members including officers.
AGMs shall comprise at least 50% of the Choir membership.

  1. Dissolution

In the event of the Choir being wound up, any assets remaining upon dissolution, after the payment of proper debts and liabilities, will be transferred to an appropriate charity as agreed by the membership.

Constitution amended 21 May 2024 for agreement by membership at EGM

All content is © Leek Peace Choir except where stated. This page last updated August 21, 2024