TWO sisters have been part of the same choir for more than 80 years.

Edna Bright, 90, and Vera Warren, 93, who live next door to each other in Great Stambridge, have been part of the choir at St Mary and All Saints since they were 11.

Edna’s daughter, Gillian, has also been a member for more than 50 years as she also joined when she was 11.

Edna said: “We used to go to church there and my mother was the founding member of the choir. “My sister joined when she was 11 and then I did when I turned 11.

“It has become a tradition.

“It has been wonderful being a part of the choir.

“We have been able to sing in different cathedrals, including Peterborough, Rochester and Canterbury.

“A pastor used to arrange for us to go to them in our choir outfits and sing evensong at them.

“We used to take part in concerts sometimes too at the church.

“I have some wonderful memories from all the things we were able to do.

“I couldn’t pick my favourite, but I have enjoyed it all.”

At its peak, the choir had almost 30 members who would rehearse every Thursday at the church hall.

Sadly, numbers have steadily declined due to ill health and a lack of new members joining.

It now has just three members along with the choir mistress.

Edna said: “It is a shame but not many young people go to church.

“It has been sad to see the number decreasing.”

The group also no longer meets every week, as they know most of the hymns and weekly rehearsals were becoming difficult due to the singers’ health.

However, they meet up on Sundays and practice any songs if needed.

Edna said: “We know most of the songs by heart.

“My favourite hymn is O Lord and Saviour of mankind, forgive our foolish ways.

“I wake up with it in my head and I think it is fitting with the current terrible state we are in.”

She added that she and Vera had always got on, and enjoyed living next door to each other.

Her daughter, Gillian, who lives in Shoebury, said: “I still go to the same church even though I have moved away.

“I joined the church choir when I was 11 the same age as my mum was when she joined and still sing there as well.

“It is a shame that there are fewer people who are members now, but young people don’t seem interested in going to church and the singers are just getting older.

“It is a very traditional church, which some people like and some don’t.

“However, we would love to have new members join us to build the choir up once again.”

For more information about the choir, call the church on 01702 530621 or 07747 391083 or visit stambridgepc.co.uk/useful-information/parish-church/