Stephen Challis (George Widener) can't remember a time when he did not enjoy singing, but it was not until he was talent-spotted at the age of 10 that his professional singing career really took off - £5 p.a. for full attendance every Sunday and 3/- for weddings. For the next seven years he sang solos in the local church choir in Sidcup and at school. Always with a book, however. The thought of singing without the words in front of him petrified him! During these early years he was dragged along by his parents to see their neighbour, Geoff Wilkinson, perform with WWOS, then at Azelia Hall, Beckenham. Unfortunately, if you weren't in the front row you didn't see much at the age of twelve! He later became an associate member of WWOS and when the Society staged Oliver! in 2000 two of his sons auditioned and he decided that if he had to take them to rehearsals he might as well be in it. Stephen was delighted to find that he could at last perform without a book, and has been in most productions since. He just wishes he had had the courage to join 30 years ago! Stephen is a Trading Standards Officer with a local council.