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The Phoenix Singers, Leek
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The Queen'
s Shoulders
How a local woman came to feature on one of the most iconic images of the 20th century.
In 1964 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II sat for Staffordshire artist Arnold Machin, as he modelled the clay cameo for his iconic postage stamp image. However, Machin only sculpted the Queen’s head, and the Palace decided it needed something extra - shoulders! Machin asked a young Stoke-on-Trent woman, Angela, to sit for him as he modelled the monarch’s shoulders. Angela remained in the area, becoming a teacher and raising her family in the Staffordshire Moorlands. She was involved in local theatre groups and choirs throughout her life.
Originally commissioned for the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, this new production celebrates Machin’s Stoke-on- Trent roots as part of the Stoke100 Centenary celebrations and brings you the extraordinary true story of how the local woman’s shoulders would become known throughout the world.
Directed by Polly Wain and featuring Ava Ralph as Angela, The Phoenix Singers were proud to present this unique story,with words by Victoria Brazier and music by Ashley Thompson.
You’ll never look at a stamp in the same way again.
We realised that some of our friends might not realise our extremely close link to the famous image of the Queen that appeared on our stamps, This image of Queen Elizabeth II has appeared on an estimated 220 billion Royal Mail stamps alone. Then consider the coins, the banknotes, the portraits, and the Commonwealth-making the true number of reproductions nearly impossible to estimate
Not only was the artist local but the beautiful shoulders of the queen were modelled not in a palace or surrounded by corgis but in a studio here in North Staffordshire. The model's own daughter is Katie Thompson, part of Phoenix Singers, Leek, Staffordshire. UK .
She tells us
" I was in my 20s when I discovered my mum’s fascinating story. I can’t quite remember how I did; it was probably a throw away remark that I probed into. I was astounded. How could it be possible that my mum, an ordinary teacher living in Staffordshire, was part of such an iconic image? And how was it that almost no one, including me, knew about it?
On reflection it wasn’t really surprising that she didn’t share the story; she was a private person and to her, it was just one of those things. The family had a connection with Arnold Machin and she was just in the right place at the right time. I think she’d be delighted but amazed at the interest the story has now generated."
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The Phoenix Singers adopted its name in 1985, when the choir was re-born from the ashes of the former Leek High School Choir. Since then the choir has developed a varied repertoire, performing major choral works, small-scale pieces and contemporary music. It draws its membership from all parts of the Staffordshire Moorlands and beyond. A registered charity (no.1085474), it is a genuine community choir in that it welcomes anyone who enjoys singing. There are no auditions.
Become a member.
Visit us anytime!
All our rehearsals are open to the public and to potential new members, so why not pay us a visit.
We rehearse every Monday evening in term time at 7:30pm, at Leek First School, (East Street, Leek ST13 6LF). During school holidays we are usually to be found at Trinity Church, (Derby St, Leek. ST13 5JF) but if you would like to come during the holidays, it's best to email our secretary ( ) to check.
Upcoming Events
Christmas Concert
Sat, 13 Dec 2025Bethesda Chapel Concert
Thu, 18 Dec 2025Christmas Carol Cantata
Sat, 20 Dec 2025
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