Alvin M. Keeling 
A community choir celebrated two of its members as they marked milestone birthdays together.
The Spalding Community Choir, which is based at Broad Street Methodist Church, celebrated members Helga Browne and Dorothy Duckworth on Saturday as they turned 90.
The choir, which began in September 2019, is made up of approximately 70 members aged 18 or younger.
Music director Zeph Churchill says celebrating together was the essence of the choir.
“It was really nice to be able to celebrate together,” she said.
“We had a big party with lots of food, several cakes and we sang some of their favorite songs, ending with Something Stupid which Dorothy chose.
“Our slogan is ‘people sing together’ and that’s really what we do. We have a real community with a nice group of members who all care about each other.
A third member of the group, Joan Patterson, celebrated her birthday earlier this year before the choir restarted in May after the Covid break, allowing her to join another party.
Zeph says the choir has been a big help for many people who have felt lonely due to the pandemic.
She said: “I know for a lot of people this is the highlight of their week. We have such a diverse age group and they really put their all into it.
“New people are always welcome – no matter if they think they can’t sing. I believe anyone can sing.
“Standing in front of the choir and listening to them really likes me, actually. It’s amazing.
“I feel very humbled to lead them.”
The choir meets every Saturday between 2pm and 4pm at Broad Street Methodist Church with a £2 entrance fee including a drink.
There are no auditions and you don’t need to know how to read music.
Zeph hopes to encourage more members to join the choir.
She said: “We sing anything from Ed Sheeran songs to reindeer herding songs and jazz – it’s a very broad spectrum.
“But mostly we sing songs that people have heard before.
“Anyone 18 or older is welcome.”
