Musical Maureen’s Back On Song

 

‘From a Distance,’ marks a return to the studio for the mother of eight, whose musical career began at just 12 when she taught herself the euphonium. Decades ago, Maureen, 72, was a popular artist performing at residential homes and special events across Suffolk.

 

The thirteen-track acoustic album comprises cover versions of well-known tracks including ‘Hey Jude’, ‘The Way We Were’ and ‘New York New York’. Featuring Maureen on keyboard and lead vocals, the CD was produced to raise money for the work of The Salvation Army’s Priory Centre – a church and community centre based in Queensway in Ipswich.

 
The CD is the latest in a long line of services Maureen has offered the Centre since visiting it for the first time in 2003. The retired restaurateur has since used her culinary skills in the Centre’s café, supported the credit union and led the Art for Fun group.** Each year, the group produce a calendar featuring original artwork, raising close to £800 since 2007.

“Being in The Salvation Army church has become my anchor, by giving me a sense of peace and security I have never experienced before. The difficulties that I have gone through in life would have been so much easier to cope with had I been part of the church back then and been able to pray, study the Bible and be around Christian people,” Maureen says.

 

Maureen’s long route back to church stems from a difficult childhood: “My father was a builder’s labourer who moved the family around a lot so it was very hard for (me and my two sisters) to make friends,” she recalled.

 

However, in moving from her native Pettaugh, near Stowmarket to Whatfield, Maureen fell in love with local Salvation Army church. “It was so bright and happy, everyone singing and being so welcoming – it was just what we needed.”

However, the family’s stay in Whatfield was short-lived and after starting her own family, difficulties making ends meet brought an end to Maureen’s musical career and church membership. Having come back to Ipswich and been around The Salvation Army as a volunteer, Maureen has come full circle and become a member of The Salvation Army church once again.

“It’s wonderful to be at The Salvation Army again and to be able to serve the community. There is a lot of need out there and it’s a privilege to able to work to meet it.”