Previous Society News

18th July 2016

It is with great sadness we announce the death of David Steedman on 18th July 2016 following a long and courageous battle against cancer. David was our principal accompanist for all our rehearsals, concerts and shows for a period of 9 years. David joined us in 2002/03 to play for 'My Fair Lady' at the Royal Court (the first WKLOS production with Rob Bowness as our MD). Thereafter, David became a 'permanent fixture' at WKLOS and a much loved and valued member of our family. David was often referred to as our 'mini-maestro' giving invaluable musical support to our 'maestro' Rob! 

David was a hugely talented musician and an extremely sympathetic accompanist. He was always there to rescue the singer whatever mistakes were made! Aside from his musical talents David will, I am sure, be remembered as being a true 'gentle' man and a friend to us all. His quietly spoken manner, his perennial good humour and above all his lovely smile are just a few of the qualities which made David the charming man that he was. David carried on in his post with WKLOS until 'Guys and Dolls' at the Floral Pavilion in 2011 at which time his illness necessitated his withdrawal from further active participation in the Society. His immediate loss was felt by all of us on so many levels. However, despite his illness, David continued to support our productions and concerts as an audience member for several years thereafter. 

Throughout his life David had a strong religious faith which was to carry him through the dark days of his illness: May he rest in peace. I am sure we will all join in sending our sincere condolences to his family and friends on their sad loss.

******************************************************************************************************* 

WKLOS get a special mention in Cheshire Life Sept 2010

click to enlarge each page

*******************************************************************************************************  

27th September 2010

Ray Davies was elected Chairman of WKLOS.

 

 

    ========================================================================

    June 19th 2010

   WKLOS celebrated its 60th Anniversary with a Gala dinner
at the Thornton Hall Hotel, Thornton Hough, Wirral

Michael Kennedy and Chairman Tony Clare, Paul and Lucy Kirkbright
Former chairman Michael Kennedy with Chairman Tony Clare and Paul and Lucy Kirkbright

     

         Click here for more photographs - 1    2    3    4
 

******************************************************************************************************** 

NODA Annual Awards - May 2010

Following the Annual NODA Award ceremony in Blackpool on 2nd May 2010, Robert Bowness won the  Best Musical Director award for  the WKLOS 2009 production of 'Chess' - congratulations Rob on this well-deserved award.


 

WKLOS also received nominations in 4 other categories for 'Chess'

Sarah Hardman-Gardner      - best actress in a musical 
Mark Gardner                       - best actor in a musical
Paul Kirkbright                      - best actor in a musical
Chess                                     - best staging of a musical

                *********************************************************************************

Sir Tim Rice comes to hear WKLOS again

WKLOS  had the pleasure of performing before Sir Tim Rice
 on 25th July 2009 at an open-air event in Hoylake, Wirral.

He had previously visited the Company during preparations
for the 2005 production of
 'Titanic'

Read what Cheshire Life and Esther McVey said about the event -

Visit of Sir Tim Rice

                            

      Sept 2008

Michael Kennedy retired after 11 years as Chairman of WKLOS and was succeeded by Tony Clare. 
This tribute to his leadership of the Society was published in the Rodgers and Hammerstein Concert programme of May 2008.

*******************************************************************************************************  

        July 2008

 Paul England    

                          

            Rodgers & Hammerstein Concert - May 2008                 Seussical-the musical -  June 2007

We are very sad to announce the recent death of Society member Paul England.  Although Paul had only been with the Society for 2 years, he had quickly integrated with the group and become a very popular member.  He discovered he had a talent to perform and had been affectionately christened 'On the ball, Paul' by our Musical Director, because of the accuracy and reliability of  his notes, his words and his moves.   He was a friend to everyone and we are all very shocked by his passing. This tribute was included in the programme 'Oh What a Lovely War' from October 2008.

*******************************************************************************************************

               April 2007

                 
The following article appeared in the Wirral News, asking for identification of 6 'Bathing Beauties'. 

*****************************************************

       May 2007

       
The reply  identified them as dancers rehearsing for the 1968 WKLOS production of 'The Boyfriend' 

The article unfortunately contained a mistake, of course. The 4th dancer  from the left is Jennifer Kaye.

*******************************************************************************************************  
        May 2006

Jean Bower 


Land of Smiles 1962            Jean in 2005                     My Fair Lady 2003

We are sad to announce the death of  Jean Bower, who was a much-loved member of the Society.

Jean's first show was 'The Merry Widow' in 1960 and she appeared in virtually every production in the intervening years.  Her last performance was in 'Titanic - the musical'  in June 2005.  Although ill at the time, she very much wanted to perform at the Liverpool Empire, the first time WKLOS had played there.  With a very determined effort ( and Jean was a very determined lady ), she managed to appear onstage for the last night of  'Titanic'  and joined with the rest of the cast for several of the big numbers.  She was very excited to have been a part of the show and was enormously proud of WKLOS when the Society won the NODA Best Musical of the Year - 2005.

Jean had served on the main committee since 1980 and on the Social Committee from 1978, becoming its chairman in 1986.  She also produced many Autumn concerts.  She will be very much missed by all those connected with WKLOS.

*******************************************************************************************************  

            September 2005  

Our secretary Ray Davies retired after 17 years in the role. He is pictured here receiving a gift to mark his retirement.

                Michael Kennedy ( Chairman )                  Lee Ireland ( President )                            Ray Davies

*******************************************************************************************************  

                   November 2005 

 John McBride


We are sad to announce the death of  John McBride, who was the accompanist for the Society from 1961 - 1997.  
He brought so much to WKLOS through his musical talents. He will be much missed.

*******************************************************************************************************