Boldre's St Nicholas Singers disband after choirmaster Helen Woodgates retires
A NEW Forest choir that raised more than £100,000 for good causes has sung its last after losing its conductor.
Helen Woodgates has been described as “irreplaceable” by those who enjoyed her twice-yearly concerts at St John the Baptist in Boldre.
Having made the decision to retire, Helen was unfortunately not able to find a replacement and so the St Nicholas Singers have been disbanded after nearly 25 years.
She told the A&T: “They were a remarkable group of people and it was very much a family affair.
“We were also an adventurous group and performed in Ireland and on the Isle of Wight.
“But it was an enormous amount of work – which is probably the reason I haven’t found anyone to take it on – and with a new grandchild I don’t have as much time.”
St Nicholas Singers, whose members rehearsed weekly at St Nicholas’ Chapel in Pilley, was formed in 1999 to raise money for a piano for St John’s, and proved so popular it continued.
Helen took over in 2000 and went on to lead the choir in raising £100,000 for various charities including Hampshire’s air ambulance, local food banks, Oakhaven Hospice, Naomi House and St John’s church.
As a practising musician herself, primarily playing the piano, Helen said she had “high standards” and so gave her all to the choir over the years.
“We put on really terrific concerts every Easter and Christmas, and we’ve had a lot of supporters over the years, which I am very grateful for.
“I’d like to say thank you to the audiences, the businesses that took out adverts on our flyers and, of course, the church.”
Helen will remain involved in Romsey Singers as chair, and will be performing with them back at St John’s in Boldre on 1st April.
She added: “I’m pleased that although the choir has disbanded, lots of the singers have joined other local choirs, and we still meet once a month to catch up over a cuppa.
“I’m now picking up quite a bit of work doing piano accompaniment for diplomas, which I’m really enjoying.”
