Heather is a proficient sportswoman and has numbered table tennis; badminton and her greatest love, netball (with the prestigious Hillcrest team), amongst her pursuits. She enjoys playing tennis to a very high standard. She and husband, Paul, are also intrepid travellers and regularly visit Toronto (to see daughter Claire and family); a ranch in Arizona (to catch up with good friends) and Lanzarote (to play tennis and relax).
Of course, Heather’s other great passion is music. In January 2010, she joined the newly formed Vocal Dimension Chorus as a baritone and is one of the chorus’ charter members. Heather has also sung solo at her daughter Anne’s wedding, and is a keen member of mixed quartet Monday Monday. Heather soon stepped up as champion of the tea break at Vocal Dimension rehearsals, taking charge of the temperamental ‘little urn’ and patiently trundling a wide variety of teas, coffees, sundry juices and chocolate bars to and from chorus each week. Last year she made £500 for chorus funds from this endeavour alone! In addition to this, Heather and Paul have a magnificent home which they regularly offer up to chorus pursuits. They have graciously hosted several visiting coaches from the far shores who are always grateful for the warm welcome at chez Byrne. Post-convention parties have often benefited from their lovely conservatory, set out with round tables painstakingly bedecked by Heather. After Vocal Dimension appeared on BBC1’s Pitch Battle in July 2017, we all gathered in Heather’s garden on a lovely sunny evening to enjoy barbeque and outdoor games – then trooped into the roomy lounge to marvel at ourselves on TV! ‘Byrne Towers’ was also the venue for a fundraising pamper day – that event saw Heather’s bedrooms converted into reflexology and massage salons!
All in all, Heather’s contribution to chorus life has been generous and steadfast, and we are delighted to nominate her for a very well-deserved Woman of Note recognition.