Committee

John Warburton LRAM (Hons) ARCM LGSM LTCL

Chairman
Although born in Blackpool, and remaining a proud Lancastrian, John moved to York in 1959 to take up the position of Head of Music at Tadcaster Grammar School until his retirement in 1988. He has been heavily involved with many musical associations in the York area and is President of York Musical Theatre Company. His first appearance at the York Community Carol Concert was in 1962 and he had conducted the community singing on twelve occasions up to 1990. From 1991 to the present day, John has been our resident conductor.

He was appointed Musical Adviser to the Carol Concert Committee in 1992 and took on the mantle of Chairman in 2006.

Graham Bradbury

Hon. Secretary/Treasurer
Elected to the committee as Treasurer in 1994 after his father, Fred, the founder of the Carol Concert, passed away.

Graham has been involved assisting with the printing of programmes and posters through his business contacts for the event since 1983.

He took on the joint role of Secretary/Treasurer in 2004. Guiding the Community Carol Concert through the uncertain years when the Barbican was unavailable for use.

Well known in the local sporting world and a Life Member of the York Referees’ Association, he regularly organises fundraising activities for many local charites.

Ken Humphreys

Born and educated in Halifax before attending St John's College in York. Taught in York Secondary Schools for 35 years, before taking early retirement in 1991.

For many years a performing member of York Amateur Operatic Society. Now spends his time giving talks to anyone who cares to listen, entertaining with songs and comedy.

Norman Fowler

Norman Fowler is responsible for liaising with schools who take part in the Carol Concert. He has combined a career in teaching with a notable career as singer and songwriter in his alter ego Steve Cassidy.

For the last seventeen years of his teaching career he was head teacher at St George's R.C. Primary school in York, where the school gained an enviable reputation for the quality of its music and drama. He writes songs and musical plays and has written carols performed in past concerts. Recently he has written the music for Black Potatoes the Musical which was produced by York Settlement in Autumn 2010 playing to full houses and receiving great reviews.

Sheila Grimes

Although born in Derbyshire, Sheila loves York with a passion.

Now retired from teaching she has time to play flat green bowls, go line dancing and
generally keep fit.

She has helped as a volunteer for several years at the York Community Carol Concerts and was very pleased to be asked to join the organising committee in 2010.

Carole Metcalfe

Following in the footsteps of her parents, Norah and Fred Bradbury, Carole is proud to continue the family’s long term association with the York Community Carol Concert.

She fondly remembers giving out the Carol sheets at the very first concert back in 1958, little realising that this would become her yearly ‘tradition’ for all but one of the subsequent concerts!

As someone who appreciates and supports many aspects of music, theatre and the arts; and especially as a 2nd generation ‘Bradbury’, Carole is delighted to see the continuing evolution of her father’s ‘Christmas Gift’ to the City of York.

Anne Platt

Minute Secretary

As the link with the Civic Office and the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fund, Anne was delighted and honoured to be invited to join the committee in 2014. Having worked with Graham Bradbury on a number of events, including the Christmas Cheer Receptions, Anne hopes to contribute her organisational skills to help the concert in future years. Despite having a wonderful musical teacher at primary school, Anne’s musical/singing skills including miming and vocalising in the privacy of the car or the house with the windows firmly closed!

Mike Pratt

Musical Director
Mike was appointed Musical Director to the York Community Carol Concert in 2017 after being John Warburton's assistant in the two previous concerts in 2015 and 2016.

Well known in the banding circles and coming from a famly engrossed in brass bands, both his mother and father were members of the York Railway Institute Band and also Rowntree Cocoa Works Band.

Mike plays euphonium for the Shepherd Group Band and is conductor of the Shepherd Group Concert Band.

He brings a wealth of musical experience to our committee and his enthusiasm on stage adds to the entertainment at Christmas time.

Susan Warburton