THEY have been treading the boards for more than 40 years.

Members of the Waterside Musical Society have been singing their way into people’s hearts since they first started entertaining audiences in the late 1960s.

Based at Cadland Primary School, in Holbury, the friendly and inclusive group has about 60 members aged between 14 and 80.

They organise a series of concerts in the New Forest area in March and April, stage a major production at Waterside Theatre in November and appear at various charity events throughout the year.

At Christmas they take part in carol concerts held in aid of charities such as the Rose Road Association and the Honeypot organisation.

But members of the society have fun away from the stage, too. They enjoy a varied programme of social events, including barbecues, quiz nights and skittles evenings.

Chairman Robin Watton, of Dibden Purlieu, said: “The society is a great place to make new friends. Our current membership includes a number of single men and women. There have been a few romances over the years.

“And two of our members, Peggy and Vic Kemp, recently celebrated their golden wedding.”

As well as singing, acting and socialising, members also take part in behind-the-scenes work, including costume design, setbuilding and painting.

They are currently working on their next production, The Secret Garden, which will be staged at the Waterside Theatre on November 11-14.

The theatre itself opened in 1950 and is currently undergoing a £235,000 facelift.

Some of the work has already been carried out. Members of the Waterside Theatre Company say the previously run-down auditorium has been transformed into a comfortable theatre environment with greatly improved acoustics.