Conductor Alan Pooler steps down

After decades of commitment to Willenhall Musical Society, Alan Pooler should be looking foward to a restful retirement.

But the 70-year-old musical director, who will hang up his conductor's baton after his last concert in December, has plenty to keep him busy.

He is also director of Albrighton Musical Company, a member of Willenhall Operatic Society and he has two children and six grandchildren to spend time with.

Mr Pooler, who lives with his wife, Ann, 69, in Church Road, Albrighton, looks back at his time with the 42-strong choir he directs as an "exciting experience" but he said: "It's time for them to see how someone else can take them to another level and change of style. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time there, they are a terrific bunch of people."

He got into music when he was about six, as singing was a way of coping with asthma. But his career took a different direction. He was a PE teacher, and then he helped prisoners improve their basic English.

He joined Willenhall Musical Society 21 years ago and started annual charity concerts in 1993. The society has raised money for Walsall Manor Hospital, New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton, Childline and Acorns Childrens Hospice among others.

The next charity concert is at Pool Hayes Arts and Community College in Willenhall on Saturday, to raise money for Help for Heroes. For tickets call 01922 495525.