CD raises cash in memory of sister (From The Northern Echo)

CD raises cash in memory of sister

10:48am Saturday 28th November 2009 in

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A FOLK singer has made a CD to raise money in memory of her sister – a much-loved local reporter.

Proceeds from the sale of Good Companions, by Anne Alderson, will go towards the Ovarian cancer charity Ovacome.

Ms Alderson, from Sadberge, near Darlington, has dedicated the CD to her sister, Jill Neill, a former reporter with The Northern Echo and Darlington and Stockton Times, who died of ovarian cancer last year.

So far, nearly £1,200 has been raised for the charity through sales of the CD.

The album contains 18 traditional folk tracks, sung unaccompanied, which Ms Alderson, 50, has learnt over more than 30 years performing in folk clubs, festivals and informal music sessions.

The songs are a mixture of Irish and Scottish folks songs as well as some from North Yorkshire and County Durham.

Although Ms Alderson is not a professional or trained musician, she was persuaded to make the CD by various friends.

She said: “I’ve been singing in local folk clubs for probably about 30 years and people kept on saying to me ‘why not do a record?’.

“I never really wanted to do it because I didn’t really want to charge my friends.

“But then before my sister died, Barrie Temple, who runs Shoebox Records, in Newcastle, invited me along to record some tracks and I thought, ‘maybe I will and I’ll do it for charity’.”

Ms Alderson chose Ovacome because it was a charity which was supported by Ms Neill.

Because Mr Temple donated the recording time for free it means that about 80 per cent of all the proceeds from the CD sales will go to the charity.

Initially, 100 copies were created and these sold out at festivals over the summer, so more CDs have been printed.

Ms Alderson added: “I’m really pleased with the CD and people have been very kind with their comments. The songs are ones which have stuck with me over the years.

“It’s nice to have something which other people can listen to and, hopefully, learn the songs.

“I’m not planning on doing another one, although I’d never say never.”

The album costs £10 and copies can be ordered by emailing anne andchrisw@tiscali.co.uk