Diane Atherton

An early winner of the competition, became a professional singer.

Valerie Littledyke (1986)

1986: Winner; Open Recital

Valerie sung as contralto soloist for many choral societies in the north of England and further afield, including Spain, Germany and Portugal, as guest at choral concerts and dinners, and as concert soloist and duettist with her husband Geoff. Both Valerie and Geoff have sung as soloists with the City of Sheffield Teachers' Choir. Valerie knew David Clover from her days at secondary school in Hull as David was a friend of Valerie's music teacher, Nesta Bruin. David would help with concerts and operas which the school performed. Valerie was member of the British Youth Choir when David was its conductor and she later worked alongside him as a member of staff of the British Youth Choir. It was a mutual delight when they both met again, by chance, on a music course in Sheffield some years later, when David declared 'across a crowded room' - "it's little Valerie!". Valerie now has a successful private teaching practice, has taught singing at Bretton Hall and the Silcoates School in Wakefield, and was Vocal Advisor to Wakefield Cathedral Choirs. Many of her students during the last eight years have enjoyed many successes in the David Clover Competition for Singers.

Pauline Wilson (professional name Kay Jordan) (1988)

1988: Winner; Open recital

Pauline went on to become a member of the Glyndebourne Opera chorus and is now a teacher of singing.