IF YOU have a stressful, high powered job then there’s no better way of relaxing than to join a choir.

That’s the view of David Hinchliff, Her Majesty’s Coroner for the Eastern District of West Yorkshire.

Many testify to the benefits of singing and research has proved that it really is good for you, physically and psychologically.

David certainly wouldn’t argue with that. He has now joined the Honley Male Voice Choir and says he wishes he had done so years ago.

Married with a daughter and granddaughter, David is 63 and lives in Honley.

“I have always loved music but have never done any singing apart from being in the church choir when I was a lad,” he said.

“I’ve often thought about trying to join the choir for the past 10 years but kept putting it off. Eventually I plucked up courage and went along to a Tuesday night rehearsal and have never regretted it.

“Everyone has been so friendly and welcoming. There’s a great camaraderie and at every rehearsal I feel I’m among 40 or 50 friends.”

David who now sings in the baritone section, was a solicitor in private practice in Huddersfield before he became a coroner 27 years ago.

He was assistant deputy in West Yorkshire, then deputy in South Yorkshire where he was involved in the Hillsborough disaster inquiry and was then deputy coroner in West Yorkshire before being given his present post.

His area takes in Leeds, Wakefield and Pontefract and he conducts around 500 inquests a year.

He is at his desk either in Leeds or Wakefield every morning by 7.30am.

“It is an important, stressful, decision-making job and joining the choir has given me the relaxation I need.

“It’s a pity I didn’t take the plunge and join the choir a long time ago.”

David has already sung in four concerts with the choir and is looking forward to taking part in the busy year ahead including a joint concert with Featherstone Male Voice Choir at St Mary’s Church, Honley, tomorrow.

He will also travel with other singers to the International Cornwall Male Voice Choir contest in Truro early in May, will sing in a Huddersfield Lions Club concert for senior citizens in June at the Town Hall and be at the Concert on the Hill concert with Colne Valley MVC and Lindley Band at Laund Hill in July.

“There are probably a lot of men out there who keep thinking about joining a choir but never get round to it,” said David.

“It doesn’t matter if you can’t read music. I can’t either. Just come along one night. You won’t be sorry.”

Not surprisingly the choir is delighted to have David on board and is using him to spearhead its next recruitment campaign.

If you want to join David and the rest of this Honley musical family, rehearsals are held every Tuesday evening at 7.30pm at the Honley nursery and infant school in the village.