Anne Marshall
Director of Middleton Popstars Academy.
I started along with my best friend (Grace Mckeown) what we thought was a fund raiising idea. We asked the youth what they would do to raise funds for a school that had been vandalised. As Grace and I felt that if the youth realized the hard work that was needed to replace the damage done this may help in the future to stop youth taking part in anit-social behavour. The football tournament was well attended and the boys just wanted to play more. The showcase was a fantastic evening my old friend Gail Stevens, Bernard Manning and his friend Bill Tarby came to help and the youth put on a electric night. At the end of the night a young girl came running up to me full of excitment and said when do we meet next and both Grace, Gail and I said well we had not planned anything. She looked at us all and said please please you have just got to nobody else likes me because i have ginger hair,"Well what could we say to that", and it was from that moment that both Grace, Gail and I knew we had to help. We asked (Bob Morrisey) who was the Manager at the civic centre at that time and he let us have one night a week, that was how we started our journey of Popstars. The youth got to pick the name at the start of this jouney it was (Mini Popstars) this was to change as the youth got older to what we are know today (Middleton popstars Academy of Performing arts. Very Sadly Grace is no longer with us but her love and committment will be remember for ever by me her best friend and all who new her.
Elizabeth McLean
Secretary
Liz first became a part of Popstars when she brought her son 8 years ago. She had tried other groups but found them costly and sometimes isolated. It was not long before Liz got the Popstars bug and found herself a fundamental part of the MPA team. Liz is a university graduate and also works as a special needs teacher during the day. Liz also took the position as secretary at Popstars 4years ago when after her hard work on a funding application we were lucky enough to be successful with the "Big Lottery" Since then Liz has worked tirelessly on admin and other funding applications to keep the continuity for the young people of Popstars. Liz has become a fundamental part of Popstars and gives time and passion for the good of the group, when ever needed.
Jane Meredith
Treasure
Jane, like many of our vital volunteers, first came through Popstar's door when she brought her child. Jane was aware of the work we did here and believed her daughter would benefit from becoming a member. Jane never realised she herself would end up apart of our team. Jane volunteers many hours to Popstars helping to give support to other children.
Paulette Lancashire
Costume Designer
Here at Popstars we a fortunate to have Paulette as part of our team. She spends many hours designing and making the costume that are worn in all our performances she is also a professional theatrical costume designer and maker. So it is no wonder that the members here never go on stage with out looking the part!!!
Lillian Jones
Chair
Lillian plays an active role in the decision making here at Popstars and volunteers many hours to MPA. She is superb with a paint brush and creates many beautiful portraits of the children and other designs which can be seen through out Popstars. Lillian was a Wren in the Royal Navy before she married and like many women at that time gave up her career to start a family. Lillian decided to go back to college and gain her GCSE's, and then Alevels in ART. She is now retired.
Jim Dobbin MP
Associate Board Member
Since the first show in 1999 Jim has shown his support to Popstars and has always been a keen supporter of the work we do with the youth here. He has always been a big help to Popstars behind the scenes in many aspects including meetings and this year has agreed to come on board!
Janice Coxon
Fundraiser
In the early days of Popstars Janice worked for Rochdale CVS at the time and she helped me then fill out some of the first funding applications. After a meeting in 09 Janice was metioned and I contacted her to catch up. After talking to Janice and her realizing we were still at it, Janice came to visit and she saw the good work which is done here to benefit the youths of our community and the surrounding communities and decided to help out as she is now retired. She gives up many hours to Popstars and now helps Liz and I with funding applications and is always willing to help to volunteer at shows and rehearsals.
Colin Boulter
Volunteer
One of the newest members of our team Colin joined us earlier this year to help out on some of the media side here at MPA. He is an amazing photograher, with this being his profession, and he also specialises in web design. He is always happy to help and we truely appreciate all the work Colin has done with us in the short time he has been here and the skills he has taught us. Please view his website www.neilsonreeves.co.uk