ENID Stentiford celebrated an amazing 60 years of organ playing at All Saints Church in Monkokehampton last week.
As she celebrated the great milestone, Mrs Stentiford, who also runs the village shop, recalled being called out from the Church School at just 13 to play at the funeral of Ann Squance on January 21, 1942.
'The headteacher Mrs Willcocks had played at a wedding in the morning and the funeral was in the afternoon,' she said. 'I was called out from the school to play by the Rector Rev Legg and I remember it being a bit frightening.'
But all went well and Mrs Stentiford played every other Sunday with Mrs Willcocks until her headteacher died later that year.
'At that time it was usual to have two services each Sunday when possible. The parish was only linked with one other and that was Broadwoodkelly,' she said. 'Before my marriage I also used to play at Broadwoodkelly Church as well.'
In 60 years, the organist has only missed a few Sundays because of a broken leg.
'I'm 73 now but I enjoy it just as much as I used to and intend to keep going as long as I can,' she said.