HARTFORD-based choir The Bostock Singers have said a fond farewell to their musical director, Alison Richards.

Members said farewell to Alison at a Family and Friends concert at Hartford Methodist Church.

The concert included sacred music, a gospel song, popular tunes and songs from the shows.

Alison has been musical director since September 2009, when the choir was founded, and the tenors and basses performed a personalised rendition of There ain't Nothing like a Dame and the whole choir sang their own version of My Funny Valentine for Alison, which caused much laughter and some tears.

At the end of the concert Barbara Crellin spoke on behalf of the whole choir when she expressed her regret at Alison’s leaving; and offered her thanks for Alison's wonderfully cheerful and enthusiastic teaching style.

Alison was presented with flowers and a bracelet, and thanks were also expressed to Peter Drew, the accompanist; Shirley Barnwell, the chairperson and secretary; and Barbara for her compèring at all the choir’s concerts. Nicola Howbrigg has been appointed to start as the new musical director in September.

Nicola studied at the University of Central Lancashire and was awarded a diploma in singing from the London College of Music.

She is currently musical director of the Winsford Education Partnership Staff Choir and the Junior Choir, both based in Winsford. She is also a music and modern foreign languages teacher at a special needs secondary school.

Nicola is a keen singer, competing and winning with choirs at the Llangollen Eisteddfod and the North Wales Choral Festival.