Page 164 - It's a Rum Life Book 3 "Ivy House Tales 1970 to 1984"

The festival was to take place over a long week end and I had suggested that on the
Saturday evening to add extra spice to the whole event a Brass Band Concert could be
held in the Church.
As I had suggested the idea, one of my tasks was arranging the music. The Band was duly
booked but closer to the date the band leader approached me to suggest that in the
interval while band members were recovering their breath we should find a singer.
(Picture of Horncastle Brass band.)

I had a secretary at about this time. A well built
Yorkshire lass by the name of Heather.

My office was in Horncastle and I could not really
afford the luxury of Heather but she was good at
organising.
The subject of needing a singer was mentioned
and quite by chance Heather admitted that she
had been an amateur opera singer and could still
manage a respectable alto soprano. First hurdle
over.
Next question was, what to sing. We had only a couple of weeks to finalise arrangements.
Certainly no time for extended rehearsals.
“The Trout” by Schubert was something we established she knew by heart, so all I needed
then was a pianist.
The schools had almost finished their summer term but I still had a chance to contact
every music teacher within 30 miles.
Not one would or could accompany Heather with little or no rehearsal time and certainly for
no money!
I was stuck, well and truly, but true to form after praying for help, it arrived in the form of
our local Vicar.

DAVID
The Reverend David Loake was a truly amazing man. When first coming to our group of
Parishes, as happens times without number with a new incumbent, he had to make some
changes that he thought necessary and was none too popular.
David was the man who imposed me on the Diocesan Council of Churches and
Sponsoring Body for Ecumenical Partnership. He had for a little time been honorary
secretary to their meetings and because of his progressive arthritis, (another reason for his
lack of enthusiasm for playing in public), he persuaded the Council that he needed an
assistant.
The lack of an Anglican representative for the Diocese, to the Council coincided and I was
appointed as David’s assistant in this dual role.
A more unconventional Anglican you would not wish to meet and the thought that I was
supposedly representing all those hundreds of pious and more virtuous Church members
throughout the entire Lincoln Diocese sometimes gave me cause for consideration.
The South Lindsey Ecumenical Partnership had been formed and as its joint Chairman,
perhaps I after all did have some worthwhile contributions.
David was an exceptionally talented musician, a Doctor of Music no less, but very shy.
Unfortunately, I must add that not long after his retirement to Bedfordshire in 1985, he
died.

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