A sprightly music maker who dedicated two of her songs to her late husband was crowned as the winner of the Havering 60+ Musician of the year.

Irene Foulds, 82 from Hornchurch was named as the winner of the competition at a special ceremony at the Queen’s Theatre in Billet Lane, Hornchurch on Friday October 7.

Irene said: “I’ve been taking part in this competition for about seven years – I love the strong camaraderie because I really think music brings everyone together.”

Irene impressed the judges with two beautiful songs In the Still of the Night and Who Can I Turn To?, dedicated to her late husband Harry, who passed away earlier this year.

Mayor Of Havering Cllr Melvin Wallace presented Irene with a shiny trophy and CD vouchers worth �25 donated by Havering Music School.

Irene said: “Harry always encouraged me and said I’d win it one day. I pulled out a few stops and just couldn’t believe it when they called my name! Harry must be looking down on me.”

Cllr Wallace also presented trophies to second-place winner, 69-year-old grandmother Sheila Fitzgerald, who wowed audiences with a wonderful Flanagan and Allen medley on the piano; and third-place winner, dad-of-four Dominic McLuskey, 62, a London Underground engineer from Upminster, who sang Nanci Griffith’s country hit Speed of the Sound of Loneliness.

The competition, which is now in its ninth year was organised by the Queen’s in partnership with Havering Music School and the London Borough of Havering Arts Service.

The judging panel consisted of: the Queen’s award-winning Artistic Director Bob Carlton, Director of Havering Music School Isobel Liebman and Sue McNally, Volunteering Manager of Age Concern Havering.