MOVE over X-Factor finalists, you may have competition for next year's Christmas number one.
Older people in Cleethorpes are calling on the help of musicians and songwriters over the age of 60 to help them write a tune about what it means to be old.
Run by residents of Church Court Sheltered Housing in Blundell Avenue, they are asking people to pen a lyric or two about getting older which will be used to write a song and then recorded and sold to raise money for charity.
Care co-ordinator at Church Court, Fiona Evans, hopes people over the age of 60 will pop into Church Court and fill out a form describing the highlights of their lives.
She said: "Music is a powerful medium which brings people together and the record will give older people a voice. I would like to hear about older people's achievements, aspirations and the challenges they have overcome in life as well as hearing about the benefits of old age. Anyone with any musical experience can apply.
"Releasing a song about getting older will be a way for people, not just the elderly, to come together and have fun. It should not only be entertaining but raise awareness about the issues older people face, like isolation and loneliness."
The project was dreamed up by England's largest sheltered housing not-for-profit organisation and developer of Church Court, Anchor Trust, who will donate the money to Contact The Elderly.
It follows the highly successful Grey Pride campaign, launched to push older people's issues up the political agenda. The lyrics can be light-hearted or serious as long as they are a true account of people's experiences of getting older and will be sung by the Anchor Community Band made up from people living in Anchor homes across the country. Resident Ann England, 76, said: "I love all types of music, especially classical. It's a part of the activities provided here – we even have it playing at our poker night when we order a takeaway.
"It will bring people together, being lonely is something we are lucky enough not to experience as we have our own community, but if you were on your own, it must be very hard."
Vic Blake, 72, said: "I used to deliver library books to the library and was always saddened by seeing people sitting on their own. Living here really helps."
Fiona also hopes it will show older people who have dreamed of a music career or who just love singing that it is never too late – while Church Court residents hope their modest lack of experience won't stand in their way.
For information on how to get involved, contact Fiona Evans on 01472 696208.
