World’s Oldest Choir sing their way into Guinness World Records
The Prime Timers, with an average age of 94, have broken a new record right before Christmas with the help of pop legend Tony Christie, ITV News Midlands Correspondent Ben Chapman reports
You're never too old to sing, especially at Christmas time.
A choir, whose members are between 87 and 99 years old, have officially made history after being named the "World’s Oldest Choir" by Guinness World Records.
With an average age of 94, the "Prime Timers" sung their way into the history books.
The group of 24 singers knocked St John’s House in York off their perch, after they last broke the record in 2013.
Some of the residents had been singing for a while, others had just taken it up. All of the choir agreed that music had helped their mental health in later life.
"Occasionally we come across an opportunity to do things quite late in life. It's more challenging, and therefore more satisfying.
"You should never stop trying, no matter what age you are" he added.
Shelia, who is 91, has also enjoyed the new challenge later in life.
"Singing is the finest thing that you can do for your mental health. If you can sing, you'll be happy."
The choir was made up of residents from seven care homes in Warwickshire. The choir remembered the words to Christmas classics such as Jingle Bells and We Wish You A Merry Christmas.
They performed in front of around 150 people and were even joined on stage by pop legend Tony Christie, who was diagnosed with dementia in 2023, and has also found solace in song.
"If you're listening to music, it stops things that can upset the brain - that’s what the doctor said to me. Music is great, particularly for dementia", the Amarillo singer said.
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For the choir to have broken a world record, the Guinness World Record adjudicator had to be happy that they were over the average age of 91.
They also had to perform for longer than five minutes, and do so live in front of a crowd.
The creation of the choir and the ambition for the choir to become the world’s oldest was the brainchild of Jasmine Kessey, deputy home manager at Lower Meadow care home in Stratford.
Jasmine said: “Having worked in care homes for over 10 years, I’ve seen firsthand the joy that music brings to residents.
"Their memory may not be as it once was but most of them will remember their favourite song and how it made them feel. Music creates a strong sense of community, reduces loneliness and brings a bit of a buzz to the home.
"It has so many positive and emotional benefits for residents that music plays an important role in all our care homes.”
All choir members were residents at Runwood care homes, who supported this world record.
When The Primer Timers aren’t setting world records, they’ve been in the studio recording their new Christmas song, produced in partnership with the not-for-profit organisation Intergenerational Music Making.
The song, Christmas Through The Years, is now available for sale on Bandcamp for £1, with proceeds going to local dementia charity, Warwickshire Reminiscence Action Project.
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