A QUARTET from an historic band have been entertaining care home residents from the car park.

Sisters Isabel and Erin Stoker, 14 and 13 respectively, play in the Boxted Methodist Silver Band and have played to people living at St Fillan's Care Home in St John's in Colchester.

One of the residents is Margaret Tibbs, and her daughter Yo Burgess has been playing with the girls alongside musical director Victoria Steintz.

Performances have been done to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day, Mrs Tibbs' 87th birthday and for other care home birthdays.

Mrs Steinitz said: "At the moment almost everything is cancelled but we have to do what we can.

“I cycled to the St John’s estate with my instrument and music stand on my back just like people would have done all those years ago when the Band was formed in 1898.”

She added: “Boxted Methodist Silver Band survived two World Wars.

"Like so many organisations, our activities are on hold at present, but we look forward to serving Boxted and the wider communities again when the time is right."

Boxted Methodist Silver Band is the only surviving Methodist Band in the country but their future is in doubt because their headquarters is likely to be sold.

They need to raise £145,000 by August 10 to continue to be based there.