A MAN who has spent 70 years of his life raising his voice in church is is to be honoured for it.

Ivan Andrews first joined Bradpole Church choir in 1946 and his seven decades singing praises will be marked in the church on April 24.

Shortly after the arrival of the new vicar of Bradpole in January 1946, a group of young boys, average eight years old, were asked to join the church choir.

Mr Andrews said: "It was not something we expected or yearned for and I remember saying to my parents that I didn't want to be a chorister and was, in particular, averse to 'dressing up' in church. "

But dress up he did and has never regretted it.

He said: "Singing has always been one of my main loves. From the age of five at school I have always sung and so I settled into Bradpole Church choir, quite naturally, moving from boy to manhood when my voice broke.

"Singing has taken me to many places as a result of choral singing – including singing in Hexham Abbey Choir when my older brother married there in 1950. After 70 continual years in the choir, one period interrupted by National Service, I am eternally grateful that I still have a voice to support the singing, having served under 10 Bradpole vicars and supported at least eight organists.

"I recall so many memories of all those who have passed through the choir over the years and so many happy times far too many to be recorded here, but it has been a wonderful time. Dressing up in the first instance hasn't done me any harm, in fact, all is well and with good fortune I hope I can continue singing for some time yet."

When Mr Andrews first started there were about 30 people in the choir who first went to Sunday School, then joined the main service, and sung again for Evensong at 6.30pm.

Choir practice was every Friday from 7.30pm to 9pm. Services were fully choral singing two or three psalms each time and the canticles, plus anthems for all the festivals.

Mr Andrews added: "Early on I clearly remember receiving a six-pence for my singing from Mr. Bartlett the churchwarden one Sunday morning – a whole sixpence!

"We were not paid for our toils – all was voluntary, except at harvest festivals when we were allowed to choose an apple after Evensong.

"I think we may have received a little something at Christmas; certainly there was a Christmas party for all involved, carol singing around the village – accompanied more than once by a harmonium. The annual choir outing was the highlight – a coach ride - when almost no-one in the village owned a car. The first outing was in July 1946 when we all visited far-away Wimborne and the New Forest.

The year after he joined Mr Andrews joined saw Sir Sydney H. Nicholson, founder of the Royal School of Church Music visit on his tour of churches in the district.

"I fondly remember him setting up a wind-up gramophone to show the effects of good singing. I remember being asked to sing a solo for Sir Sidney so I must have passed the test. "

Bradpole Church music co-ordinator Wendy Carnell said it was a remarkable achievement and amply demonstrated his great love of music and church tradition.

She said: "Ivan Andrews first sang as a chorister for the service on Easter Sunday, 21st April 1946, and has sung in the choir for 70 years and on Sunday April 24 will as usual be singing the bass line in the choir for the morning communion service. An incredible length of service which""It amply demonstrates his great love of music and church tradition and his commitment to serving the church."