ABOUT US
ABBEY BELLES 2026
The Abbey Belles have been
established for 31 years and continue to go from strength to
strength.
The present Musical Director, Catrina Lakin, has been in charge
since 2015 and has built on the work done by the previous
Musical Director, Anne Turner. With the help of Helen Rainford,
the Assistant Musical Director, and the Committees, the chorus
continues to grow, improve and most importantly, have fun!
We pride ourselves on being a friendly, welcoming chorus who work hard and have a lot of fun together. We love to sing at any event.
THE EARLY DAYS
The chorus was formed in 1994 under the direction of well known local barbershopper Alwyn Pooley. He developed the chorus over several years until in 1999 Carol Lakin took over as musical director. During her time in charge the chorus became members of LABBS, the Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers, and competed in their national competition for the first time, winning the trophy for the best novice chorus.
In 2003, under the direction of Jon Walker, the chorus was delighted to qualify to sing at the association's national convention for the first time and also to win another trophy at Rothwell music festival.
COMPETITIONS
In 2008 the chorus was fortunate enough to be taken under the hugely experienced wings of the White Rosettes from Leeds, who are one of England's top barbershop choruses, as a pilot of the LABBS mentoring scheme. With their help the Abbey Belles were thrilled to come 12th at national convention, a standard which was confirmed at the 2009 convention in Cheltenham.
In the 2023 convention, at Harrogate, the chorus continued their upward trajectory with their highest score ever. Which was improved upon again at the International Convention 'BIBA' in Spain in April 2024!