Queen's honour is music to the ears of Bozeat woman

A woman from Bozeat who has been sharing her love of music with others for many years has been honoured by the Queen.

Sue Partridge-Underwood has been awarded a BEM for services to the Bozeat Windmill Singers.

The talented musician, who first started having piano lessons with Mrs Coombes in Finedon aged just six, is still in disbelief about being on the list and told the Northants Telegraph: "I honestly can't believe it."

Sue was nominated by Bozeat Windmill Singers, a group she has been part of for nearly 28 years.

She said: "I had always enjoyed playing the piano for my own amusement, but around 30 years ago my good friend, Marian Brown, asked that, if she ever decided to start a choir, would I consider being the accompanist.

"On 9th March 1993 that idea took shape and Bozeat Windmill Singers was born.

"I don’t know where the years have gone, but when you enjoy something, it s never a chore and I have enjoyed every minute.

"Marian retired from choir seven years ago and we appointed a new musical director, Anna Denny, and under her baton the choir is still going strong."

As well as playing for the choir, Sue has played the organ and piano for TLC, The Little Chapel in Bozeat, for more than 35 years and several years ago she joined the worship group at St Mary’s Church in the village.

She also put her talents to good use during the pandemic by sharing her music with the choir as well as on social media.

Sue said: "The last months have been very different, but members still wanted to sing even though they could not get together, so I’ve been playing songs for them to sing to, which were then recorded and put together.

"During the first lockdown I played a hymn a day which my husband, Tom, put onto social media.

"They had over 6,000 hits and for two weeks before Christmas we did the same with a carol a day."

And she added: "There was lots of interest and I think it did lift people's spirits during a tough year."

While Sue's musical talents have helped others, she says being able to just sit down at the piano and play something has also helped keep her and husband Tom going during the pandemic.

And looking back to those piano lessons when she was just six, she still finds it hard to believe that her love of music has led to an honour like this.

Sue said: "It was never in my thoughts or my wildest dreams.

"I feel very honoured and very humbled.

"It's a big thing and not many people get these awards so I feel very honoured, I still can't believe it."

Sue is now looking forward to sharing her good news with her three children and six grandchildren as well as their wider family and friends.