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Rex
UK News

Chorister still singing after 80 years

by Hannah Tooley

The 88-year-old joined St Thomas' Church in Werneth, near Oldham when he was eight years old in 1935.

He still sings hymns every Sunday morning and remains the only man in a predominantly female quartet.

"I just enjoy singing.

"In those days it was the way we would entertain ourselves - we didn't have TVs or smart phones or computers to keep us occupied.

"The choir brought with us a social life that doesn't exist anymore.

"I think young families have so many other commitments that they don't have time for church.

"Their lives are too hectic for it and it's a different world now to that in the 1930s," he said in The Express.

He added: "I'll keep going until I can't sing anymore and when that happens I'll still go along and listen to the choir from the congregation."

He joined his five brothers in the choir after his father become a lay reader at the church.

Peter's wife Melwyn became a church warden there and the two married in 1955.

"I've never had a great voice but I've always enjoyed singing.

"I recall having to audition for the choir but I can't remember what I had to sing although I know I did it because my brothers were also in the choir and everything was about the church.

"As well as the sports teams you even put on plays.

"It was a great social scene - it was just the way we were brought up to go to church and Sunday school.

"I just enjoyed singing and it was our way of life."

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