Helen Elkin was appointed as a Trustee at the A.G.M. in November 2019.

Helen has two children in the Senior Orchestra and is a keen musician herself, playing clarinet and cello. She has many behind the scenes duties, which are so vital in an organisation such as ours. She is also the liaison person between the trustees and the music tutors. She also provides a helping hand in both the Intermediate and Senior Orchestra as well as teaching our clarinet trainees.

Helen has been a primary school teacher for 25 years and currently teaches in Newcastle.

I am married with a son who has recently joined the Senior Orchestra as a percussionist. I wasn't fortunate enough to learn to play any instruments as a child, so with no musical skills to speak of myself, I have been truly amazed at the talent on show in this orchestra; it required no additional thought at all when I was asked to become a trustee. I have worked for central government for almost 20 years now and in any spare time I get I enjoy walking, cooking, reading, theatre, attending concerts, and just spending time with the family.

Helen was born near Stone, Staffs and moved to Congleton with her husband and daughter in 1983.

Before her marriage she was Secretary to the Hospital Administrator of the City General Hospital. Following her marriage she worked as Personal Secretary to the Professor of Veterinary Anatomy at Liverpool University.

Helen was the Co-Founder of the Orchestra with Mark Wasserberg, then Head of Dane Valley High School in 1994. She has been involved ever since. Her daughter Anna was a founder member of the Orchestra .

Helen was awarded the Rotary Cub of Congleton "Vocational Service Award" in December 1998 and was also presented with a Silver Salver at the 10th Anniversary Concert in Congleton Town Hall in recognition of her outstanding service to the Orchestra.

I am a retired HR Manager from within the international investment insurance sector. Recently relocated to Congleton from Chichester in West Sussex and previously a treasurer for two small charitable organisations there. Musical skills are limited having learnt piano, violin and recorder as a child and since forgotten most of what I knew, but I am a member of Congleton Community Choir. A mum/stepmum to 6 children and grandma to 10, so life is busy keeping track of them all. In any remaining spare time pilates, walking, gardening, swimming, reading and DIY are favourite activities.

Helen has lived in Congleton for over twenty years and loves promoting this amazing market town, especially throughout the last two years in her role as deputy and Mayoress of Congleton. She was honoured when approached to be a trustee of Congleton Youth Orchestra after supporting the organisation throughout the last two years. She is looking forward to watching all the talented young musicians reach their goals and prosper in her role as a trustee.

I’m Jo -my son is in the woodwind section of the Seniors and High Flyers. Although passionate about music, I have never played an instrument – but sang my first solo aged 3, and have previously sung with Staffordshire County chorus and have been a member of a small choir for the best part of 30 years. My favourite piece to sing is Faure’s Requiem. My music taste is varied from rock/indie/folk/ to classical. My favourite composers are Karl Jenkins, Saint-Saens, Hans Zimmer, John Williams, Howard Shore – I love a good film score! ! I also have a teeny obsession with Harry Potter – I will be the one sat crying whenever the orchestra play any Potter scores! My hobbies include walking our border collie, yoga, crystals and sitting reading with our lap cat, we also have two rabbits and two tortoises.

Ruth was recently appointed Trustee in October 2024. Ruth was born and brought up in Congleton but left to pursue a career as an Occupational Therapist. She returned again in 2015 to live among family and friends in this lovely community spirited town.

During life in Birmingham Ruth's two children learnt the Violin at school and were very involved in quartets and orchestra's; experiences provided by the Birmingham Music Service. She counts herself lucky to have had that opportunity and her son now works as a professional musician and her daughter is planning to train as a music therapist; you can never tell where children's experiences take them.

Ruth intends to be fully involved in the background, where and when needed, and feels very lucky to have found a place with this lovely orchestra.

Steve Frost was elected as a Trustee at the A.G.M. on 31st October 2009.
Steve is well known in Congleton, having been on the Congleton Carnival Committee for several years, and was responsible for the infamous "Carni Bear".

Steve brings a down to earth attitude, along with a sense of humour, to the Trustees, and we hope he enjoys his time with the Orchestra.

Tara plays the violin, she supports the trainees, intermediates and high flyers.
She is one of Jayne’s pupils, having learnt the violin as a child she is discovering it’s like riding a bike and is enjoying getting back in the saddle!
Tara is a teacher at a local special school and supports Intermediate string players. She loves horse riding.