THE Queen is not the only one to be celebrating a Platinum Jubilee — two musicians received lifetime service awards from their church communities last month, with a combined contribution of 135 years.

Heather Braddock has been singing in the choir of Christ Church, Woodford, in the diocese of Chester, since the coronation in 1952, when she was 11 years old. On Easter Day, she was presented with a long-service medal and certificate from the Royal College of Musicians, in recognition of 70 years’ continuous service. The congregation also gave her a new sound system.

Ms Braddock, a former secretary in the NHS, has been running the choir for the past 20 years, and served as the PCC secretary for more than 28 years. She is married to Malcolm; their son, Canon Andrew Braddock, is the Interim Dean of Gloucester Cathedral.

She said: “It has been, and remains, a privilege and a joy to sing in, and serve, the choir here. Thank you to all the church family for their kindness and support. And here’s to our ongoing musical tradition here at Woodford.”

The Vicar, the Revd David Russell, said: “Heather’s service to the church has been simply remarkable, and she continues to be as dedicated to our hardworking choir as she always has been. We are so grateful to her and admire her for all that she continues to achieve.”

And in St Mary’s, Hambleden, in the diocese of Oxford, Christine Wells was presented with a certificate of long service from the Guild of Church Musicians evensong on Sunday 1 May. It marks her 65 years as organist of St Mary’s. Ms Wells, who is also director of music at the church, has played at almost every service since she was appointed organist in 1957, and has raised £25,000 for charity over the years.

She studied at Durham University and the Royal Academy of Music, is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, a Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music, and an Associate of the Royal College of Music.