A FUND-raising concert which is being held in memory of a popular singer, musician and teacher is a very great honour, say members of her family.

Friends and colleagues packed into Worcester Cathedral to say farewell to Barbara Williams, of Rushwick, near Worcester, after her death last October following a long illness.

Now the cathedral is set to be full again on Saturday for Jubilate – a concert which is being performed in her memory by the choir Mrs Williams helped to found more than 30 years ago – Worcester’s Elgar Chorale.

A stalwart member remembered by fellow singers for her happy, smiling personality and willingness to pitch in and help, the 57-year-old also played flute for Malvern’s Chandos Orchestra and was at one time secretary of Worcester Cathedral Choir Association – the beneficiary of proceeds from the concert.

She was also a popular teacher at several of the county’s schools, working at the Winterfold House School in Chaddesley Corbett, near Kidderminster, even while receiving chemotherapy.

Her husband Kit, a former cathedral lay clerk for 30 years, said: “We’re so glad that this is happening. Me and our children, Abigail, Jemima and Sam, are surprised and delighted at the public support this event has received.

“Barbara would have loved to have been at the concert herself and, no doubt, would have been putting out programmes beforehand, too. I’m amazed that everyone wants to do so much for her, it’s lovely.”

The concert, which begins at 7.30pm, will feature Duruflé’s Requiem and Benjamin Britten’s Hymn to St Cecilia, along with music by Elgar and Walton.

The conductor is Donald Hunt, while Piers Maxim, the director of music at the Great Malvern Priory, will be the evening’s organist.

Tickets cost £10 and are £8 for restricted view, with under 16s free if accompanied by an adult.

They are available on the door or can be booked by calling 01905 620995 or visiting elgarchorale.com.