A CHALE singer, musician, badminton player and WI president has died age 95.

Sylvia Greville was born at Gladices Farm, Chale, on July 17, 1926, to Lewis and Dorothy Whittington.

An Island girl all her life, she attended Chale School until the age of 14.

She lived in Chale for around 60 years before moving to Brading, then Shanklin, and spending her final five years in Niton.

Mrs Greville completed a shorthand and typing course, before enjoying farm life at Gladices and later Middle Bramston.

She spent her married years at South View Cottages and Cedar Crest, and delivered bread for village bakers.

Mrs Greville attended Chale WI for many years, progressing to treasurer and eventually president – the latter post lasting 20 years.

She initially placed entries in the annual village show, later running the WI and church cake and tea tent.

Her dedication to the WI culminated in her being crowned Queen of Chale for a day at the village gala, celebrating The Queen's 90th birthday.

Throughout her life, music was very special to her, and she learnt to play the piano when she was young.

She started her own band, the Red Rockets, playing at Chale Youth Club with her brother, Stanley, playing on drums.

She carried this interest forward, working at music shop Murdoch’s in Newport ­— a position she auditioned for by playing the piano. She started as a junior shop assistant and finished as manageress.

Entering and winning the odd singing contest, she appeared in Chale village pantomimes and performed solos at various events, singing in her latter years with the Newchurch Ladies' Choir.

Mrs Greville also showed prowess in sport ­— most notably in badminton, entering and winning many Island competitions. She continued to play competitively until the age of 65, and at club nights until 70.

During war years, she joined the fire service at the age of 17, and at the end of the war worked in the Farm Survey Department.

She met her future husband, Noel, after his family moved from London to Five Rocks, Blackgang, and he attended Chale Youth Club in 1941 to hear the Red Rockets in action.

Engaged in 1945, the couple married at Chale Church in September, 1948.

After her husband died, Mrs Greville moved to be near her daughter, Pauline, in Niton.

Mrs Greville died on October 28 at St Mary’s Hospital following a stroke.

She leaves behind her daughter Pauline, son Norman, daughter in law Jackie, grandchildren Lorraine, Graham, Amy, Elliot and Ava, step grandchildren Laura and Kate, and great grandchildren Elysia, Dannielle, Kaelan, Aiden, Jaimey, Kacey and Jacob.

A service was held at Chale Church on Wednesday, followed by a wake at the Wight Mouse and a private cremation.