Who We Are

MUSIC DIRECTOR HAZEL RICKETTS

Hazel Ricketts has been our Music Director since 2019, but has now decided (reluctantly) that she must relinquish this post by September because of her other committments and the burden of travelling from Salisbury to Wareham on Monday evenings.

We are sorry to see her go! She steered the choir through Covid and the subsequent period when membership fell to a level that was barely sustainable, and we are thankful that under her stewardship membership numbers are slowly recovering.

We are extremely fortunate that our accompanist Paul Ellis has agreed to become our new MD, as well as continuing to accompany us during rehearsals.

Born in Nottinghamshire, Paul Ellis studied at Manchester University and the Royal Northern College of Music, where his main instrument was the organ.

He developed a love of choral music whilst at university and choral conducting has been a major part of his career ever since. He has worked with many choirs throughout the South West, earning a reputation for high standards of performance and innovative programming of an extensive range of music, from Renaissance to contemporary.

He was Director of Music at Sherborne Abbey from 2006 until his retirement.
PATRON RT HON DAVID MELLOR KC

David Mellor is a broadcaster, barrister, after-dinner speaker and former MP for Putney and government minister. David was born in Wareham and educated at Swanage Grammar School and Christ's College, Cambridge. He has a home in Corfe Castle with his partner Penelope Viscountess Cobham.
David has a weekly programme on Classic FM radio and is the opera critic for the Mail on Sunday.

WCS COMMITTEE

Chairman                         Teresa Rekowska
Treasurer                          Eve Baker
Secretary/Librarian         Bob Newnham
Safeguarding Officer      Sarah Welton
Members                          Maureen Bayliss
                                         Paul Cady