Dalesman and friend...

Ian Leach of the Dalesmen Singers writes:

One of John’s main hobbies was music.  In the early years of Whitby Amateur Operatic society he became amember and enjoyed partaking in a variety of shows, Gilbert and Sullivan being some of his favourites.  He was a faithful member of St Hilda’s Church Choir and congregation. 
John joined the Dalesmen many years ago and soon became a very popular member of the choir, singing in the first tenors.  He enjoyed the choir trips, both at home and abroad with his wife Jean.  After being diagnosed with cancer he never lost his positive outlook on life.  Even if he didn’t feel up to singing he would sometimes attend rehearsals or concerts just to be involved usually bringing his camera so that he could take photos of the choir.
The Dalesmen tribute to our dear friend John was by singing two of his favourite pieces, Highland Cathedral and Morte Criste at St Hilda’s Church in celebration of his life.  Our heartfelt sympathy and prayers are with Jean, Robert and Dana and their families.

Mike Pickard footnote:

As well as an active choir member, John was the Choir photographer for quite a number of years and many of the Dalesmen photographs to be seen in the website’s photo gallery are his credit. These pictures have a special value to us all as they record concerts, social happenings and other happy events in the life of the choir that would otherwise fade from memory.  Through them, members, families and friends can look back on happy times and we have to thank John for his major contribution in this. Of special note, his photographic skills can be seen the Choir group photographs taken in recent years and he was the driving force behind the Who’s Who section of the website that showcases choir members individually and which has now become one of its most popular pages. It is perhaps poignant to note that in meticulously recording the life and times of the Choir for us all that he is himself absent from so many of the pictures.

 

Dalesman and friend...

Phil Huntion of the Dalesmen Singers writes:
Sadly, the Dalesmen have lost a great friend and a stalwart of the choir. All of us lucky enough to know Ken, appreciated his warm and friendly character and his quiet but steadfast commitment and support to the choir which also meant he hardly missed a rehearsal. Ken helped organise our Tuesday night tea breaks week after week and he and Carol did sterling work in  selling choir CD’s and in supporting all our social and fund raising events.
Ken had had an army background of almost 30 years, starting when he joined the Royal Signals Regiment. During his distinguished Army career he became an instructor of outdoor pursuits culminating in the award of the Meritorious Service Medal - the highest award given to a soldier not involved in combat. While serving in Germany Ken met his wife Carol who was also serving at the Army Headquarters of the Rhine and later posted back to England they set up home in Darlington, and then with two children went on to foster 21 children over the years.
When Ken retired from the Army he and Carol set up and ran their own business, a care home in Essex. Ken, always publicly minded, was a school governor and continued his teaching of outdoor pursuits. Later, they moved to Moorsholm where he soon again became an active member of the community, chairing the village hall committe and as a member of the Moorsholm in Bloom committee and helping in lots of other ways. He soon joined the Dalesmen Singers and played bowls for Castleton whilst also continuing to be active in charity work.
At his memorial service at Moorsholm Church attended by a large congregation the Dalesmen were able to pay tribute to their old friend by singing two of his favourite pieces: ‘You Raise me Up’ and ‘Morte Christe’. We, in the choir, will miss his presence and his singing and we remember Carol and her family in our thoughts and prayers.

  Dalesman and friend...

  Keith Martin of the Dalesmen Singers writes:

John (1941-2011) was born in Redcar and lived all of his life in the town. Leaving school he worked as a joiner in the docks. When the work there stopped John moved to ICI taking early retirement when that industry also declined. This gave him more time to  be with Barbara whom he had married in 1965, his children and later his grandchildren.
He was also able to pursue his hobbies and interests. He had joined Redcar Male Voice Choir and sang with them around the north of England. He later joined the Dalesmen. He sang 2nd Tenor and served the Dalesmen as Publicity officer. He and Barbara were at most choir events taking photos of the choir and their guest artistes.

John also made a great contribution to the setting up of the website.
John became a committed Christian in his teens and was a regular worshipper at the Methodist Chapel in Newcomen, Redcar. In the late ‘90s the chapel became involved with Sri Lankan Asylum seekers who had been sent to the town. John quickly became involved in their care, helping them to settle into unfamiliar surroundings, doing odd maintenance jobs in their homes and helping them to find their way through official red tape. H e became a voluntary worker at Grenfell House in Redcar, a club for disadvantaged people. He was the treasurer for a while, later becoming a Trustee of the House. He was also found on the roof of the building doing repairs. He enjoyed photography and nature and skilfully combined both interests.

John was always cheerful with a welcoming smile. He was a friend to all. Throughout the years of his battle with cancer he remained cheerful and uncomplaining. He continued to attend as many rehearsals and concerts as he could between treatment. Although weak he took his place in the Choir at Gala night in October.

We, in the choir, will miss his presence and his singing. We remember Barbara and her family in our thoughts  and prayers

 Dalesman and friend...

 Phil Hunton chairman of the Dalesmen Singers and fellow tenor with Stuart writes:

It came as a deep shock and sadness that the Dalesmen Singers learned of the loss of Stuart, who died suddenly on Sunday October 30th 2011, aged only 38.
Stuart was a dedicated and respected member of the choir rarely missing a rehearsal, concert or tours abroad. He was a first tenor with a good vocal range and voice to match and loved his music and he contributed fully to the varied repertoire of the Dalesmen’s programme of music and social events.
Stuart joined the Dalesmen Singers five years ago after hearing a concert in the town hall in Loftus, his home town. He had previously sung with the Eskdale and Skiningrove M.V.C, but was happy to join us, as they had recently disbanded. After a while, he became the section representative for the first tenors and cheerfully took on the  ‘One Hundred Club’ collection on behalf of the choir.
In Stuart’s personal life, he had many family responsibilities and interests which filled his life, apart from his work at the Peel Jones Copper Foundry at Carlin How. Stuart was also closely linked with Saint Leonards Parish Church in Loftus where his funeral service took place on November 16th. The Dalesmen, (at the request of his mother, Sue, and family) turned out in big numbers and full uniform for this to voice their farewells in poignant and favourite songs: 'You Raise Me Up'; 'Morte Christe' and and 'Thankyou for the Music'. It was a very moving ceremony attended by many.
Stuart was recently described by one of the first tenors as, “a gentle, quiet, caring man and immensely valued friend” – This, his mother admits, is an epitaph with which his many friends, colleagues and all of the Dalesmen would agree.
The Choir all wish Stuart’s mother, Sue, his brothers and other relatives and friends, comfort and strength in their grief. We also wish to thank them for supporting his contributions of service to our choir, and in particular, on behalf of all those who benefited from hearing his voice in concert. We won’t forget him.

 Dalesman and friend...

Jim Muir chairman of the Dalesmen Singers and long standing friend writes:

The Dalesmen Singers sang their tribute to the choir’s Vice-President and one of the longest serving members at the funeral service for William D Harrison at St Hedda’s  R.C Church Egton Bridge on July 2nd.

 Bill’s connection with the choir goes right back to its beginning. Bill joined the choir  at its second meeting in September 1971 in Danby and was a very enthusiastic and  hard working member for almost 40 years. Bill became Chairman in 1981 and  1982 and served on the Committee for many years. He worked so hard to ensure  we made our first overseas tour with the choir to Sweden and Norway in 1982,  always leading any fund raising events for the choir and with the support of his late  wife Mary their strawberry tea’s and candle lit suppers were memorable social  occasions.

 Bill was a regular soloist for the choir at concerts and he loved the social  gatherings when we hosted or visited other choirs. We all hold dear the memory of  Bill’s rendition of The Court of King Caractacus which became a requested regular  feature at the “afterglow” social gatherings. Mary would accompany Bill on the  piano for this and when Bill got really going with the patter Mary at times had  difficulty catching up as ‘the stitches on the britches’ just flew by!