Ray Hopper provides this Tribute
“A huge congregation, with many standing, gathered at Southwick Methodist Church last week, to say farewell to my old friend Eric, a Wick member since 1972 and our go-to musical director in the days when we used to present regular musical productions. This started with Salad Days in 1972, with Eric as musical director, through to Honk! in 2001.
Eric’s 9 production involvements included My Fair Lady in 1976 and Oliver! in 1982, his last one being Guys and Dolls in 1993. I was heavily involved in this one as Eric decided that the big production number for the show would be Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat, led by Nicely Nicely Johnson, who I was playing. I well remember the many hours spent on Sunday afternoons as Eric patiently taught a group of largely untrained singers the complicated choruses of this number. It was worth it, with a standing ovation each night.
The service commenced with the presentation of 12 objects which were significant to Eric’s life. I’m afraid I can’t remember them all but they included the musical score for HMS Pinafore and other scores, plus an organ stop!
The congregation was boosted by about 40 to 50 members of the Brighton Festival Chorus, of which he was a member for over 50 years and for some time it’s General Manager, a position he was very proud of. The family made him a wooden desk plaque with his title engraved on it, an item you can see in the photo. The chorus sang four pieces, by Faure, Mozart, Bach and John Rutter, in 2 separate sections. They are used to singing in very large spaces such as the Albert Hall and they filled the church with layer upon layer of glorious sound.
The eulogy was given by Eric’s son, Richard, who told us of his birth in Grantham in 1937. [ He was outraged at it being voted Britain’s ‘most boring town’ in 1980.] At 18 he endured 2 years of national service in the Army, followed by 2 years at the Westminster Methodist Teachers Training College, where he became accompanist to fellow student and subsequently famous operatic baritone, Benjamin Luxon.
Eric started work as a geography teacher, quickly becoming Head of Department and then Senior Master, but always finding time for extra curricular activities. This included persuading the entire football first eleven plus numerous teaching colleagues to perform HMS Pinafore, which he produced, directed and played the music for.
After a 2-year courtship (that’s what we did then!), he persuaded Rosemary to marry him, producing 2 children plus an adopted daughter. [They celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary this August.]
Eric continued his teaching career at Patcham school in Brighton, and as there was little demand for his musical talents there he directed them to the Wick and the Festival Chorus.
After retirement in 1993, he pursued a secondary career as an usher at Glyndebourne, which he enjoyed immensely.
He was an organist and choirmaster for Southwick Methodist church for many years and expressed his Christian faith through well performed and well sung music.
His other passions were family, food and drink and education, and was well known for enjoying a convivial pint, particularly with his close Wick friends, George Porter and Pat Johnson, with their regular Friday visits to The Schooner on Shoreham harbour; alas no longer in existence.
I was privileged to be able to join them a few times, and was particularly struck by how Eric and George cared for Pat after he developed MS.
Richard described his father as kind and wise, believing in doing the right thing and standing up for others, and that’s how I shall remember him.
The company send their deepest sympathies to Eric’s family, remembering him with great affection and with thanks for his huge contribution to our company life.
Ray Hopper
