Terrorvision frontman helps write anthem for beloved home town of Otley

Ex-Terrorvision frontman Tony Wright has joined forces with a poet, opera singer and folk musician to write an anthem dedicated to his home town of Otley.
Ex Terrorvision frontman Tony Wright, Otley town poet Matthew Hedley Stoppard, Sally Egan of Opera North and choir group Sallys Army and local musician Phil Snell.Ex Terrorvision frontman Tony Wright, Otley town poet Matthew Hedley Stoppard, Sally Egan of Opera North and choir group Sallys Army and local musician Phil Snell.
Ex Terrorvision frontman Tony Wright, Otley town poet Matthew Hedley Stoppard, Sally Egan of Opera North and choir group Sallys Army and local musician Phil Snell.

The foursome are pooling their talents to pen a song singing the praises of the market town - and have appealed for residents’ help in writing the lyrics.

The ‘Otley Voice Box’ project will see a number of boxes placed around the town, for people to write 10 words or less about what Otley means to them.

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These entries will then form the basis of the lyrics, with local musicians and groups then invited to help record the new anthem.

Tony, who had three top 10 hits in the 1990s with Terrorvision, will be working with Otley town poet Matthew Hedley Stoppard, Sally Egan of Opera North and choir group Sally’s Army and local musician Phil Snell.

The former rock star, who now also co-owns Bloomfield Square cafe in Otley, said: “We are hoping to come up with a song that will do Otley proud, and then encourage all musicians and groups in the town to take part in the recording.”

The beat of the track will be provided by the mechanism of the old Wharfedale Press - the printing press invented in Otley which revolutionised the printing industry in the 19th century.

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Poet Matthew said: “The four of us are incredibly passionate about both Otley, the town we live in, and music.

“We thought it would be a great way to showcase Otley’s wide-ranging arts scene and celebrate the town and its unique spirit.”

The ‘voice boxes’ can be found at Otley Core, Otley Library, The Junction Inn, Prince Henry’s Grammar School, The Bridge United Reformed Church and Casa Vitae cafe.

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