Opera singer Lucy to star

A rising opera star from Staffordshire will be raising the roof of Lichfield Cathedral next week in a fundraising concert.

Lucy Crowe, a soprano, will be performing along with several other artists in The Lady Chapel of the cathedral next Saturday.

Lucy, who hails from Marchington near Uttoxeter, has interrupted her busy London schedule to sing for a family friend and help raise cash for leukaemia research.

And she will be performing Mozart's Exsultate jubilate, accompanied by The North West Ensemble.

The evening has been organised in memory of Hilary Whiteman, a Staffordshire teacher who died in 2005.

Mrs Whiteman taught at Abbots Bromley School for Girls and Windsor Park Middle School in Uttoxeter, and together with her husband was a member of Abbotsholme Arts Society.

And both Hilary's daughter, Nina, and husband, John, will be performing at the cathedral next Saturday.

The musical programme features The Derwent Singers, a chamber choir from Derby, and mezzo sopranos Julia Riley and Nina Whiteman.

"A great deal of generosity has gone into this event," said Mr Whiteman, who sings tenor with The Derwents and who has organised the evening.

"It is a real family affair which would have made my wife, Hilary, very proud."

Tickets are now on sale by calling 01543 263304.