REBECCA Howard, who married the Hon Simon Howard in June, is expecting a baby.

The couple married at the Castle Howard estate last month after a brief engagement, setting off on honeymoon immediately after, and the news that Rebecca Howard, formerly Sieff, is pregnant was revealed this week.

Mrs Howard has also agreed to become president of the Malton and Norton Operatic Society.

She told the society she didn't think her pregnancy would affect her presidency.

"The more music my baby hears the better," she told society spokesman Tom Todd.

Explaining her acceptance of the largely honorary post, she added: "Coming from a musical background, and as a pianist myself, I initially felt starved of music, but there is so much going on here and I would really like to get back into music. Hopefully, I can get the society to do one or two things at Castle Howard, which would be great."

Rebecca Howard is also patron of St Catherine's Hospice and a concert at Castle Howard for hospice patients is now under consideration.

"I thought anything I could do up here to help promote local talent would be great. I had already made a conscious decision to get involved with a musical group because I know music, so the society invitation came at just the right time," she said.

"I would like to help the society as much as I can, although I probably won't be quite as mobile as I used to be. I'm sure people will understand that."

Former society president and four-time Malton mayor Jean Brown, who has just taken over as chairman of the operatic society, said she was "thrilled and delighted" that Rebecca Howard had agreed to become president.

"She has many demands on her time, so we feel particularly honoured. She is a warm-hearted and friendly young woman who will be a tremendous asset and give much support and encouragement to our members."

Mrs Howard's duties will include the presentation of the society's Ena Smith Award to a young society member at Serenade productions. She has also expressed interest in looking-in at rehearsals.

Along with Rebecca Howard and Jean Brown, the society's new committee includes two other local women - Maureen Williams and Doreen Sutton. They are joined by Martin Parrott (treasurer), Lee Coverdale (sound and lighting), Tim Worrall (set building), Mark Bray (subscriptions secretary) and Martin Lettin (youth liaison).

To complete the new line-up, the society is now seeking a secretary, a post which it says would suit a past member or someone with administrative experience. Anyone interested should call Jean Brown on (01653) 694547.

Updated: 09:28 Thursday, July 19, 2001