BEHIND the bellowing organs of Chelmsford Cathedral's Friday concerts, a dedicated team make as many as 165 sandwiches an hour.
Concert treasurer Eileen Hance, 90, leads a team of six ladies who diligently slice-through as many as 15 loaves for the 12.30pm audiences.
And as the Chelmsford Diocese approaches its centenary next year, the volunteers are working harder than ever to cope with audiences of more 400 people, something they will have been doing for 20 years by 2014.
"None of the girls are paid, we all do it for nothing, but we do it because we enjoy it and we believe the cathedral should be going into the community," said Mrs Hance, from Great Baddow.
In 2012, the cathedral spent £3,585 on refreshments for the popular Friday concerts, yet raised £7,025 for its chosen adult, children's and cathedral-based charities.
The ladies sell their salmon, tuna, cheese, egg or ham rolls for £1.50 each.
"We really enjoy it, and it's worthwhile," said 65-year-old Springfield resident Margaret Stephens.
"And no, our hands don't ache – we are so used to it – we're typical housewives, that's what it is."
Like the rest of the cathedral volunteers, the team are also coming to terms with the death of talented lunchtime concert organiser Alan Woods.
Mr Woods, the architect who designed the first Farleigh Hospice, died suddenly at the wheel of his car while driving on March 6, aged 81.
When the news was announced at a routine lunchtime concert, the audience were left "stunned" before descending into a minute's silence.
"It was awful – you could hear them take in a breath," said Mrs Hance.
"He was wonderful. He was very well known in the musical world.
"He was a very old-fashioned gentleman."
Amanda Wright, communications manager at the cathedral, said: "Alan has introduced thousands of people to a wide range of music and charmed us by his opening welcomes and reviews of the programmes. The sun always shone as he entered the ambo!
"He built up a music mix of great talent and offered so much encouragement to young players."
