About
Maurice Ratliff
Maurice is a long-time resident of Bildeston and much-revered local musician. He is the founder of the Bildeston Waytes tradition. He was Head of Music at Hadleigh High School for a number of years, and has taught piano, harpsichord and organ to many people both locally and from further afield. His musical experience is wide ranging: from a position as a Lay Clerk at Ely Cathedral for a number of years, to playing in a jazz band. He founded and directed the highly successful Wolsey Consort of Voices. He is also a founder member of the Bildeston Yacht Club! One of his proudest achievements is introducing the carol “Masters in this hall” to the people of Bildeston – it is now an essential and much loved item in every programme!
Ian McCrae
Ian could be described as “local lad made good”! Ian was brought up in Hadleigh and attended Hadleigh High School. He had piano lessons with Maurice, and struggled to progress until Maurice discovered that what he actually wanted to do was to play the tuba! He has a treasure trove of stories about Maurice from his childhood and teenage days in Suffolk. Ian is now head of Kingsley Primary Academy and conducts the Lewes Concert Orchestra. As well as conducting the Waytes each year, Ian has composed a number of fantastic pieces of music for the orchestra to play.
Nansi Browne
Nansi Browne is now the main organiser of the Waytes each year, ensuring that the tradition started by Maurice and a few fellow musicians over three decades ago continues to this day. A keen musician herself she sings regularly with Hadleigh Choral Society and a number of other local choirs. She also runs Serendipity – a small choir that grew out of Hadleigh Choral Society and sings frequently in local events, concerts, weddings and funerals.
Owain Browne
Owain Browne is a professional singer but started his musical life as an orchestral violinist and still plays at the Waytes as he has done since he was little though he usually also sings an item as well. He also designed and built this website.
You can read more about Owain’s singing on his own website: here.