A LONGSTANDING volunteer in York has celebrated her 90th birthday with a carol service among family and friends.

Elsie Pinder has been a volunteer at the St Sampson’s Centre for more than 30 years, and chose to spend her birthday this week surrounded by family, friends and fellow volunteers at Priory Street baptist church for a special concert.

Elsie, who is stepping down from her role at the centre this week, said: “I have volunteered for 32 years at St Sampson’s Centre, after I lost my husband, Reg, and wanted something to do. I went in for a cup of tea and just happened to meet the manager at the time and asked if he needed any help, and he said I could start the next day. I’ve been there ever since. I’ve had some good times there and I’m going to miss it, but I just can’t do as much as I used to do. I will still be going in to see them keeping an eye on them instead of telling them what to do. It’s a grand place for anyone that’s feeling a bit low or who has lost their partner.”

Elsie, who has lived in York since moving from South Shields 52 years ago, has also been a member of the choir at the church, and joined in with the carols at the service on Tuesday.

She said: “I’ve been in the choir since it started 18 years ago as a soprano. I really love singing, but as you get older you lose your voice. My favourite carol was When A Child Is Born when it’s sung by the choir. It’s my favourite, such a lovely song.

“There were such a lot of friends, families and neighbours there, it was very well attended, with about 150 or so. It was very nice. It’s so lovely to see friends and family we might not have seen for a long while and it was just a lovely time and just what I wanted.”