TEN years ago Hereford Fire Choir was born out of one carol service and a certain young fire officer who was asked to 'get a few friends together' by a senior fire officer.

What was only ever intended to be a 'one-off' - they were joined by Aylestone School orchestra - became the embryo for something more permanent.

"People really enjoyed themselves," says Neil Pigott, that same fire officer, who has spent the best part of the last decade laying out 80 chairs a week for rehearsal.

The annual Fire Brigade carol service in Hereford Cathedral on December 17 will be the last under Neil's direction.

Feeling that it's travelled as far as it can in its current form, Neil now intends to take some time out. A well-earned break for the father of three, who still works for the Fire Brigade - these days as Senior Instructor at the Fire Brigade Training and Development Centre in Droitwich.

Hundreds of people have joined, and drifted away from, the choir during that time and it has filled a niche in the county for singers who are interested in world music - the repertoire of the choir being truly international. A recent fund-raising concert at St James Church in Hereford featured a programme that barely had two songs from the same continent. Early collaborations with the world renowned Black Umfolosi and the world music organisation Village Harmony led Neil to become interested in traditional 18th century American hymn singing and song as an organic process of voice and movement.

A confident leader, Neil describes himself as having 'not one altruistic bone in his body' and believes that democracy is not always beneficial to art. The songs that the choir have worked on have generally been his choice, with the support of their resident pianist Jon Watson - and back-up from the county's community music organisation, The Music Pool.

Musical from youth, Neil's mother taught music at Bishop of Hereford's Bluecoat School, he learnt to play the 'cello. Singing has always been his 'thing'.

Influenced by his travels, he believes that singing involves the whole body, allowing a sense of freedom that nothing else brings.

"It is possible that after a break I will reform some kind of singing group," he says, "but it's more likely to be a mixture of a singing yoga experience!"

However strange that may sound, it's possible that many of his devotees will follow - whatever he does.

His background is one of leaders - a maternal grandfather, Charlie Marchant, who was the county's first socialist magistrate and a paternal grandfather - Bill Pigott - who was a Labour parliamentary candidate and mayor of Hereford in 1953. Both were influential in the young Neil's life.

He describes his prospective retreat as a 'meditative phase', a sabbatical. The choir takes up most of his leisure time, competing only with his passion for Indian fighter kites. A suitable recreation for someone who aims high.

He is involved with the new youth group - The Voice Squad - which he leads jointly with Police Choir conductor Alison Houlbrooke, and describes himself as 'rooted to Herefordshire soil', so we are unlikely to lose his talent to another county.

As to what becomes of an institution which has benefited many local and international charities, and touched the lives of local music lovers, it's very much a case of 'watch this space'. Julie Harries

l The Fire Choir is participating in The Gathering Wave concert at Hereford Leisure Centre on October 4 in aid of St Michael's Hospice.