The choir who proudly admit they cannot sing

Eight years ago, Diane Chapman placed an advert in a local paper for choir members but there was one unusual stipulation.

"If you can't sing, come and join my choir," the notice read.

"I put out 15 chairs that night," said 60-year-old Diane, who admits she was unsure if anyone would turn up.

"I didn't think we'd fill them... then 55 people came."

"Just because you can't, doesn't mean you shouldn't" is now the motto at the Off-Key Choir in Southport on Merseyside.

Every Wednesday, Diane brings together almost 80 people, none of whom believe they can sing in order to sing their hearts out.

One of those who read the advert was 79-year-old Joy Garvin, who had just lost her husband.

She comes to the singing session to defy her sons.

"My boys say to me 'mum stop singing, you sound like Hilda Ogden'," she said.

"I've made so many friends. I've never looked back. I just love every minute of it.

"I have a group of close friends here now, we call ourselves the 'Choir Girls' and we're out together all the time."

Sheila Byne, 75, used to make a 60-mile round trip to join in, travelling on four trains and four buses.

Eventually, she sold up and bought a house in the town as she loved the choir that much.

"Even though we can't sing, I just love it," she said.

For Debbie Laker Rothwell, the choir has also been a much-needed support group.

"My health is not so good and I've lost a few of my cat lives this year and the choir's really been there for me," she said.

"It's just so much fun. So what, we can't sing, we can't dance, but nobody cares.

"You know when they say sing and dance as if no one's watching? That's exactly what we do."

Diane and her husband Byron put the choir on every week for free at West Lancashire Yacht Club, only taking subs to cover the cost of a hall hire and a tub of sweets.

"Why should not being able to do something stand in your way, whatever it is," she said.

"I can't bake and I can't dance and I can't sing, but I do it anyway.

"Why should we be denied the endorphin rush that comes with singing together, just because we can't?

"It's joyous, and you never know what adventures and what opportunities might come along if you do."

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