Tireless commitment to keeping people in touch during the past 12 months has earnt a woman from Lowton an award.
Ursula Lightford, who is secretary to The Three Towns Society, has been awarded the Margaret Dakin Trophy for dedication and exceptional service.
Throughout the pandemic it has been a difficult time for The Three Towns, as with all choirs and stage performers. Ursula initiated weekly rehearsals via Zoom so that members could continue to sing together and ensured everyone had the relevant music.
For more than a year now, she’s also been producing a weekly email bulletin with member news, websites and items of interest. The highlight each week is the appropriate ‘Virtual Birthday Cake’ for those celebrating during lockdown. For those who don’t have access to the internet, she delivers the bulletin – and it’s become a real highlight.
Ursula also keeps in touch with members by telephone, especially those who live alone.
Ursula was presented the award by Chairman of the Society, Ann Batchelor, who said: “Her dedication, energy and enthusiasm for keeping the society members together is amazing!”
Ursula said: “I feel very honoured and surprised that I have won the award again. It was so important to keep all members in touch regularly.” She previously won the award in 2016.
A society member for 29 years, Ursula has been a committee member for nine of those years. Currently she is the Secretary, Music Librarian, Music Researcher and a member of the Concert Selection Panel.
Ursula was a Language Teacher at Bedford High School, Leigh for 30 years when she enthusiastically introduced French and Spanish language assistants to the society to enjoy the experience singing in a choir and performing on stage.
About The Three Towns
The Three Towns Society usually perform a musical every year in May and concerts in the autumn at St Joseph’s Hall, Leigh. Their programme has been disrupted by COVID, but they are now rehearsing for an extravaganza of a concert planned for 19 and 20 November, with everyone’s foot-tapping favourites.
For more information visit www.thethreetowns.net.