NORWICH WOMENS SOUL CHOIR, THE

Members:

Sian Croose / Kate Hayes / Ruth Katra / Ali Burns / Suzy Cox / Marilyn Crabtree / Sarah Smith / Julie Dean

Claire Kidman / Sue Moneypenny - more tbc

NWSC was formed by Sian Croose in 1985. We carried on for the best part of 10 years gigging/busking/benefitting/blockading and generally having a hoot. 

Our numbers ranged from 15 to 40. Generally known for our animated and creative approach to performing, we broke the mould for choirs in the UK and were amongst the first to be formed solely of women. Dressing up in outrageous clothes and generally behaving like we were 'having fun' we managed to attract a loyal following and there were a number of years when we would be gigging most weekends.

From the pubs and streets of Norwich we were soon to feature on Thats Life, we sang at The Royal Albert Hall, featured on R4 Woman's Hour, and recorded the sound track for a Channel 4 documentary about part time women workers. Tapes were recorded, videos made. Sian still conducts, arranges and composes and sings and her local choir Big Sky is well known. Kate Hayes, Ruth Katra and Mary ?? formed their own off shoot.. The Evening Bags. Other members of The Soul Choir continue to sing and perform, notably Saffron Paffron and Samia Malik, Ali Burns, Marilyn Crabtree, Sarah Smith, Julie Dean and various people who still sing in Big Sky. Numerous songsters would come and offer us workshops including the fantastic Sianad Jones, Frankie Armstrong, amongst others. [Facebook bio submitted by Clair Kidman 26/06/2019]

Compilations
Cover	Title	Label	YoR
	WEH AYE COCKER NO2	WEH AYE COCKER RECORDS	1980s
Position	Track name		Studio
B2	TEEN ANGEL