The new president of Keighley Retired Men’s Forum is Utley resident John Cockerill.

Mr Cockerill stepped into the year-long post as the long-established group began its autumn season.

The forum meets at Keighley Playhouse in Devonshire Street each Thursday morning for a wide range of talks.

After growing up in Ripon, County Durham-born Mr Cockerill trained as a teacher and came to Keighley in 1958 to start work at St Andrew’s School.

He later became deputy headteacher at Haworth County Primary, and moved on to headships in Bingley and Bradford before retiring in 1991.

Mr Cockerill has always been interested in music, and sang with Bingley Parish Church choir and Keighley Vocal Union before singing tenor roles in local theatrical productions.

This led him to become musical director for a number of local societies and Bradford Youth Players.

He finally went back to his roots when he was appointed musical director for Ripon Amateurs.

John is married with three children – a son in Australia and two daughters in London. He is now a full-time carer for his wife, who recently suffered a stroke.

The Retired Men’s Forum season begins on October 3 with a president’s morning, followed by talks about Peru and China, health policy and local history.

Contact secretary, David Seeley, on (01535) 661846 for further information.