Choir honours singer after 76 years of service

A "unique singer" who spent 76 years performing in a male voice choir has been recognised for his service to the group.

Peter Bennett, 90, first joined the Coalville Male Voice Choir in 1949 at the age of 14, five years after it was founded.

The choir, which is made up of 28 members, meets at Whitwick Methodist Church and a celebration service was held on Thursday to recognise his contribution.

Bennett, from Coalville in Leicestershire, said: "It has been my pleasure to be able to sing for all those years. I started as soon as my voice broke."

He added: "It has been my life really for so many years, I wouldn't have packed up but my voice has gone."

Bennett, who left the choir before Christmas, said performing at music festivals and "hundreds of concerts" had been among his highlights.

At the celebration service, Anne Fallows, one of his daughters, said: "I think it is wonderful what the choir has done.

"It is such a celebration because it has been a huge part of dad's life and he has met some wonderful people and been to some wonderful places with the choir."

Graham Grimsley, 71, treasurer of the choir, said Bennett was a "devoted family man".

Grimsley said: "He is just the nicest and kindest person.

"He is a strong Christian man, that is how I first met him at the Marlborough Square Methodist Church.

"Everyone looks up to Peter."

The choir sing a four-part vocal harmony where each part operates at "different levels and comes in at different times", Grimsley said.

There is a top tenor, who will sing the high notes, a second tenor, a baritone, and a second bass, who will sing the low notes.

Bennett is a second bass, with Grimsley describing him as a "unique singer".

Grimsley said the choir had performed all over Europe including at the Royal Albert Hall and the Abbey of Monte Cassino in Italy.

He called the members of the choir a "tight-knit unit" who enjoy a pint together after singing.

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