One of the oldest choirmasters in the UK (if not the oldest) continues to conduct a Suffolk based choir that she first fronted in 1960.

92 year old Margaret Morphew is one of the forces behind the Ipswich Co-Op Ladies Choir. Prior to this role, Margaret, who lives in Shotley, first got involved in the Co-Op Junior Choir during the war in 1944. When singing with the juniors, she and the group travelled to Wales in 1948 where they performed at the Llangollen International Festival – and they also sang with the Treorchy Male Voice Choir in the 50’s.

Prior to the Treorchy concert, Margaret recalls going down a local mine in a lift. She said, “We crawled along the coals seams. That evening we were wearing clean white blouses, but very dirty underslips.” Singing with around 20 other members, the melodic ensemble meet up every Friday to belt out a selection of tunes at the West Suffolk College community and business centre between 10am and midday.

Inspirational Margaret – who normally stands up to keep everyone in tune – was sat down when we met her after just recovering from a bout of Covid. She said: “I’ve done nothing else since the forties. Singing in a choir lifts me and others. It gives companionship and it’s good for you. It keeps me going. Over the years I’ve had lots of leading roles with the Ipswich Operatic Society. My favourite song is Alleluia by Mozart. I once sang that at Westminster Hall as a solo. I suppose I might be one of the oldest choirmasters in the country. I’m certainly going to keep going. I’d love to do this to 100 and beyond.”

The choir has a series of upcoming concerts – the next one is an invitational only affair at Crowfield village hall for the Women’s Institute. Joe Cleary is an accompanist for the choir. He said: “In September 2003, Margaret asked me to get involved. I enjoy it as I don’t do much playing any more - so it keeps my hand in and by playing - it also helps the ladies keep going. Margaret is a remarkable lady who relentlessly keeps going – the show really must go on.”

Lynn Scannell is also a member of the choir. Lynn said: “I’ve been in this choir since I was 40 and my mum (Jessie Lancaster) was in it before me when she joined in 1948. I’ve always loved music – my mother was Welsh and she brought me up with music and I love the camaraderie of a choir. You can’t think about anything else when you are singing. You are lifted and you leave with a great feeling.”

On Margaret, Lynn added: “Margaret is absolutely wonderful and she still wants to be part of it and we want her to be part of it. She makes us all want to keep going. We still have ambitions. It would be lovely to sing at the Royal Albert Hall.”

Jools Windermere is the centre manager for the West Suffolk College community and business centre in Ipswich. The centre offers a variety of courses for people of all ages and is keen to support the community as much as possible. Jools said; “It’s an absolute honour to host the ladies choir every week. They are an amazing group and Margaret is incredible. She is so lovely and she really seems to love coming here. It’s an absolute joy to hear her and the choir sing every week. It always puts a spring in our stride.”