It was back in 1941 when a young 8 year old boy joined the Church Choir at St Oswald's Church in the village of Shiney Row in County Durham.
How many would have realised then that young Bert Fife, pictured above with wife Win, would go on to celebrate 66 years as a Chorister before finally hanging up his surplice. His route to Christ Church came via St Gabriel's, Bishop Wearmouth where he also met and married Win.
For Bert, Church Music has very much been part of his life and he has shared this love with his family who have supported him throughout.
Win has sat on her own for services whilst Bert sang tenor and Michael, John and Gillian joined him in the choir stalls
From Sunday services,special occasions, Christmas and weddings, Bert could always be relied upon to both be there and give a solid lead to the tenors.
Many services have been graced not just by his excellent singing voice, but his cheerful sparkle that has cheered many a heart.
As well as Choral items, Bert was also on hand to sing comic songs at any Parish do.
I remember the Walrus Song, When I'm 64 and who could forget the Wassock in the Cassock in We Four Kings of Orient are.
His singing and acting talents also graced many a stage, and as well as being the very model of a modern Major General, he was also a memorable Mr Bumble on more than one occasion and appeared as Panto Dame for many years.
Bert is what every Vicar wants in a Parishioner, someone who is willing to share their talents with good humour and faithfulness.
Last Autumn Bert quietly stepped down as he is finding it harder getting his breath. Typical of the man is that I can't even find a good photo of him in his robes as he always hid at the back.
On Easter Day Bert nearly pulled another coup, when he wasn't at Church for the planned surprise thank you.
Not deterred the choir joined the Vicar, Canon Paul Peverell, straight after the service, singing Ave Verum Corpus outside their home as he and Revd Jon Dean gave Bert and Win Holy Communion and a gift and flowers to mark the occasion.
Thank you Bert, for all the pleasure and happiness that you give to others.
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Bert may not be able to perform with the choir any longer but the memories of him doing so and his performances with amateur dramatics will be with many people for a long time. He has left a huge gap!
I would also like to thank Bert and Win for their contribution to the Church and Village over the years.Lovely memories of our visit to Wydale when they entertained us the Saturday evening.Thank you and God Bless you both on a very special anniversary.
66 years! That's a record that will take some beating. Congratulations to Bert, and to Win!
As well as sitting next to Bert in the choir stalls for the last few years, I can thank him for introducing me to Teesside Musical Theatre Company (formerly Teesside Operatics Society) and Rosedale G&S.
Thanks Bert, for all the help and support you've given us, and I'll wave at you out of the window later!
Bert and Win's contributions to church and family life have been many and various! We've enjoyed their company at Church Camps and Safari Suppers over many years - and hope the latter will continue in years to come. I'll cherish the memories of Bert singing in the choir at my daughters' weddings, helping to make them very special days indeed.
We love Bert and his famous line of 'Bring on the chairs' will long be remembered. He performed gallantly for Tees Valley Gilbert and Sullivan Society (formerly Rosedale)and we will try to do him justice when we perform Utopia Ltd again in October.
I've sung the Tenor part in Great Ayton Parish Choir next to Bert for 15 years, and as Paul said, he's kept me on the straight and narrow during all those years. It was a pleasure and a privilige to sing his favourite anthem outside his house on Easter Sunday. What a wonderful colleague!
Paul's observation is spot on! Bert's cheerful sparkle really has lifted our spirits on many a Sunday! We send our love and congratulations to Win and Bert on their Golden Wedding Anniversary.
Having sung in the choir for nearly 22 years with Bert I would like to say how privileged I feel to have had that opportunity. I would also like to thank Bert and Win for the way in which they've encouraged young people to take part in the life of the church over the years.
I have had the privilege to sing alongside Bert in the Church choir for more than thirty years. Bert has always been the same - welcoming new members, encouraging youngsters, always a smile on his face and a mischievous twinkle in his eye. It's not the same without you Bert.
Whenever I remember Bert Fife-or Burst Pipe as some post boys called him, I think of the Egyptians riding clitter clatter on their bogeys into the Red Sea which was part of one of the geordie stories he used to tell us to reieve the stress of the arduous research work we were doing for I.C.I.in the early 1960s.
I hope Bert continues to enjoy his retirement with Win and all his family and send them my best wishes.
Gone but not forgotten - I too sang in the back row with Bert (and so did my dad Malcolm). The things that went on during sermons had to be seen to be believed... Thanks for everything Bert, well done good and faithful servant.