HE HAS performed on the main stage at international folk festivals, in the common room of retirement homes and recently dabbled in busking on the streets of Swindon.

Mervyn Penny, from High-worth, may be turning 90 tomorrow, but the born entertainer and autodidact simply cannot help himself, he needs music in his life one way or another.

The father-of-two was never one to do things by halves.

In 1974, Mervyn formed The White Horse Folk Club in High-worth and ran it for 14 years. Although not in charge anymore, he continues to play with the 40-strong band and has even joined another in Lechlade.

Not content to play several instruments, including guitar, accordion, ukulele and piano, to mention a few, he has been known to make his own.

The son of an organist and choir singer, music was an integral part of his childhood, even if the young boy was not the most responsive during piano lessons with his mother, preferring a less academic approach. A gifted child, he mostly picked things up as he practised on his own.

To celebrate his birthday in style as well as the 40th anniversary of the White Horse Folk Club, he will be putting on a concert for family and friends at the Memorial Hall in Shrivenham today.

His daughters Therese, 56, Marion, 53, and wife Margaret, 83, will be standing front row cheering him on.

Mervyn, who worked for 38 years as an engineer for the Royal Military College of Science, said: “I love music but I don’t like the modern stuff they are doing now I’m afraid.

“My mum played the organ for about 75 years and my dad was a singer in a church choir so there was music on both sides. I had some lessons but I only took a little bit in. Anything I did is self-taught really.”

Speaking about his hectic performance schedule over the years, which has only just slowed down recently, he added: “I’ve just got to keep going. “Music makes me happy, no doubt about that. My life would be pretty empty without music.”

A man of many talents and keen photographer, he has seen his work exhibited at the Wyvern Theatre. “He also embroiders and designs some of his stage costumes.

His eldest daughter paid tribute to her passionate father, who has conquered whatever he chose to tackle over the years.

“He doesn’t do anything by halves, he really throws himself into things,” said Therese. “He just doesn’t believe he can’t do something.

“He had a photography exhibition, he’s written his autobiography, he did busking to raise money for Prospect Hospice. “He taught himself music and plays by ear. He is very very good. We are very proud of him.”