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| 41. Roger and sue young and family wrote at 05.11.2005 | |
| Roger was always a huge presance in all our lives,from the time he started school with my husband, through their Boys Brigade days, our young years together, and later becoming Godfather to our children, he is sadly missed by us all. We would like to take this opportunity to say how much we enjoyed the wonderful tribute concert to our good friend Roger. We both felt that he was there with us in spirit, and wish to thank everyone involved for their hard work. | |
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| Homepage: not entered Email: mustwork7[AT]aol.com | |
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| 42. John Sones wrote at 01.11.2005 | |
| May we offer our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in the Roger Clements Memorial Concert at St Georges Church in Beckenham on Saturday October 22nd.
It was apparent to all those present that it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and one which will last in all our minds.
The level of professionalism was a credit to the Band and we are sure that Roger would have been very proud of this tribute, and the memory being a wonderful source of comfort to my Sister, Janet.
John, Chris, Kevin, Helen and Sadie | |
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| Homepage: not entered Email: johnsones[AT]uckcwu.freeserve.co.uk | |
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| 43. anne-marie + patrick wrote at 30.10.2005 | |
| It was truly an amazing tribute for Roger last Saturday and a reflection of his passion. We moved in next door to Jan and Roger 5 years ago and developed a great friendship. Roger was often our saviour as we were forever blowing up something in the house and Roger would come over and sort it out, he was great for coming up with solutions. When we locked ourselves out he casually held Patrick's 6ft 2 legs dangling through the window while I watched in amazement Patrick land head first, exactly 5 years ago today he rescued us from the dark on his wedding anniversary much to Jan's delight he was nursing a raging toothache but still put himself out to help us. I have very fond memories of Roger most of them over the garden fence as thats where we constantly met, he loved outdoors and made the best of dry weather and his lovely garden. This summer we really missed Roger, his pottering around clanging in the garage, I still cant pronounce what he 'practised' on but it made a hell of a racket, but most of all we miss him being around. The tribute was a reflection of how many peoples lives he touched and that includes ours at number 5. Our thougths are with his family and especially Jan whose wedding anniversary it was yesterday. God bless
warmest wishes
Anne-Marie and Patrick xx | |
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| Homepage: not entered Email: annemarie2459[AT]aol.com | |
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| 44. Ryan Barry wrote at 28.10.2005 | |
| I really enjoyed the concert, especially the bits where Adam came in with the drums. I must have thought that Roger could hear that really loudly.
When I saw the piano coming onto the stage area, I asked my daddy if I could play it. Then I asked Mike Gray if I could play in the concert and he said "yes, you can Ryan". When it was nearly my turn, I was really, really nervous, but then Janet said "Go on Ryan, you can do it for Uncle Rog". Then I thought, I'm still nervous but I must do it.
The second to last song I played a piece of music called "On The Lake". After I had played it, everybody clapped really loudly. I hope Roger heard the big clapping and didn't laugh when I forgot to bow!
I just wish Roger could have been there.
from Ryan Barry | |
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| Homepage: not entered Email: ryanbarry[AT]speed-mail.co.uk | |
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| 45. Julie Barry wrote at 28.10.2005 | |
| A fantastic concert for a fantastic friend!
I was SO proud to be playing back in the heart of CPB again after 5 years of not playing at all, although it did feel strange not having Roger on my immediate right telling me where I was supposed to be! Roger would have been really pleased that I am now at last playing again, and about to join a local band near my home in Suffolk, following the concert. Thanks Roger for bringing me back to reality!
The venue for the concert could not have been better, it sounded fantastic. Roger would have been so pleased to see so many past members all playing together, as though they had never left.
It is true, Roger will never be forgotten, and neither will the warmth and friendliness that he helped to nurture within Crystal Palace Band. It is such a special band to be part of. Thank you for letting me join the ranks once again on such an important day, and I hope there will be other opportunities sometime in the future.
Julie Barry | |
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| Homepage: not entered Email: juliebarry[AT]speed-mail.co.uk | |
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| 46. Ian & Marge Walsh wrote at 25.10.2005 | |
| What a great evening! Roger would have been thrilled to know how many people thought such a lot of him. Apart from the great playing in a great venue, it was wonderful to meet up with friends from the past. Roger will be remembered for years to come (who could possibly forget him?!) and the greatest tribute the band could pay to him is to keep going strong. To us, Crystal Palace will always be 'Rogers Band'. We hope we will play with you again in the not too distant future.
Well done on a great event on Saturday. | |
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| Homepage: not entered Email: walsh5345[AT]hotmail.com | |
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| 47. Mike Gray wrote at 25.10.2005 | |
| I will eventually thank the band personally for their truly marvellous effort last Saturday which produced the very finest playing. Here I would like to pay tribute to our guests and former members of the band, Karl Lutchmayer, Emma Gray and Ian Walsh, our guest soloists and that other stirling "band" of helpers and caterers who made the evening go with a swing. Roger would have been greatly pleased and very proud to know he had been given such a warm and sonorous send-off. Bravo! Mike Gray | |
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| Homepage: not entered Email: nikolaios[AT]blueyonder.co.uk | |
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| 48. Michael Clements wrote at 24.10.2005 | |
| Following my previous message, on behalf of Janet and myself, I want to thank all those involved in Saturdays Tribute Concert but there are so many people in the background who have given their time that I do not know where to start. It must be obvious to all just by the size of the audience just how much Roger's enthusiasum had influenced everyone who came into contact with him. The culmination of everyone's efforts was heard in the vibrance of the music, truly magnificent and heart rending to think that Roger could inspire so many people to give their time in tribute to him.
To all the anonymous army, and those on the front line :-
THANK YOU
Michael & Janet Clements | |
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| Homepage: not entered Email: Majfran[AT]dsl.pipex.com | |
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| 49. Michael Clements wrote at 24.10.2005 | |
| Dear Mike Gray,
May I thank you so much for the wonderful Tribute Concert for Roger. I wanted to say so much more at the Concert but felt that the audience may not have understood if I had gone into more personal details. The program was fully representative of all Roger held dear and I thank you for allowing, in one instance, against your personal judgement, music that he loved. After the concert I spoke to quite a few of the Band and all of them thought that the program was exactly what they enjoyed playing which was so very obvious even to the uneducated. A truly professional performance which will not be forgotten by all who were present.
Again, Thank you,
Michael Clements
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| Homepage: not entered Email: majfran[AT]dsl.pipex.com | |
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| 50. Ian & Emma Heard wrote at 24.10.2005 | |
| We are honoured to have been part of the memorial concert for Roger last Saturday. What a concert! It was a truly fantastic evening and one we won`t forget for a very long time. We dearly wanted to pay tribute to Roger as we were unable to attend his funeral. We have many hilarious stories of Roger - what a lovely man who is greatly missed by all!
It was wonderful to meet with so many old faces from the past at the concert - it`s been so long since we have seen you all, and it was lovely to meet with the present players of the band who made us all so very welcome. Well done on organising such a wonderful evening. Our love & best wishes to you all! | |
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| Homepage: not entered Email: ian.heard[AT]btinternet.com | |
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| 51. Major George Whittingham wrote at 24.10.2005 | |
| Congratulations on last Saturday.
Sorry we could not support but we had an engagement in Southend | |
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| Homepage: http://slfb.freehomepage.com Email: majorgwhittingham[AT]tiscali.co.uk | |
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| 52. Dave Payn wrote at 24.10.2005 | |
| As a member of the Crystal Palace Band for 20 years (stand-in conductor for one of them) between 1979-99, I can only echo the words Maggie has written.
Roger Clements was an absolute giant, (not just in height!) but in what he did for the Crystal Palace Band. He was always the first to make polite conversation with a new band member, he always had a gloriously lyrical euphonium sound that could genuinely bring a tear to your eye and he absolutely loved that band and I like to think the band reciprocated those feelings, each and every one of them that met him. Add to that he was superbly organised in everything he did for the band; as chairman and organiser of CPB's regular foreign trips.
He didn't suffer fools gladly, and could be quite outspoken, but even then, one was never offended if he had a point to make because it was ALWAYS with the band's interests at heart, not his own. Add to the fact that he was a deeply generous and friendly man and I hope by now you realise just how much (a) the band meant to him and (b) what he meant to the band. The brass band movement lost a genuine banding stalwart and star when he passed away.
Finances dictate, alas, that I cannot make the trip to Beckenham to see the concert but I would like my thoughts made known to CPB, please and particularly his widow, Janet. I'll be thinking of them and the band on October 22nd.
RIP Roger Lewis Clements.
Note from Webmaster , message posted on http://www.themouthpiece.com/vb/showthread.php?t=16776&goto=newpost
prior to the concert | |
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| Homepage: not entered Email: dave[AT]brassforallpublishing.co.uk | |
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| 53. DEREK GREENWOOD wrote at 21.10.2005 | |
| Hope the concert goes well.What a lovely tribute to Roger.Love to Janet.
Derek Greenwood. | |
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| Homepage: not entered Email: dg[AT]truroschool.com | |
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| 54. Matt Smith wrote at 19.10.2005 | |
| I was so sad to hear about Roger it's such a loss to the band and the banding world.He made me feel so welcome when i joined the band some years ago.I am really looking forward to seeing the band again and feel honoured to a part of Rogers concert. | |
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| Homepage: not entered Email: smidgesmith81[AT]aol.com | |
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| 55. Leonard Walker wrote at 14.10.2005 | |
| In my youth, my father would take me to see the Brass Band Championships at the Crystal palace and we would walk along the terraces listening to the bands. Me with my bottle of lemonade and my father with his bottle of beer would sit and make jugdement on who would win. I must of seen your band perform but I must confess that the only band that comes to mind is the Black Dyke mills band (sorry).
We would get to our seat inside and stay till The end. If I guest right I got a ride home on the bus other wise we walked. I had a lot of bus rides home. Call it luck if you like.
I broke my hearth when the Palace burnt down. It meant no more band champs.
I have just discovered your site and will make a return to it soon.
The last show I saw at the Palace was about the time it burnt down and I was then 11 years old. Its great to think that you are still going strong and hope that you get stronger.
God luck to you and all the Bandsmen/Bandswomen and thanks for the memories.
Best regards Len Walker | |
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| Homepage: not entered Email: len[AT]lenwalker.wanadoo.co.uk | |
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| 56. Sandra Clinton wrote at 29.08.2005 | |
| While surfing about I have just come across your website. I am so sorry to hear about Roger. He was a great guy who always made me a very welcome guest at Crystal Palace. I hope to see you all again soon and am glad to see that the band is going from strength to strength. | |
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| Homepage: http://www.patchamsilverband.co.uk Email: s.clinton[AT]bhasvic.ac.uk | |
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| 57. Philip A Watson wrote at 19.07.2005 | |
| About three months ago I was appointed to the post of Development Officer for the British Federation of Brass Bands. Thanks for sending your news letter to me; I look forwards to reading more about your band. Great website too. Best wishes for the future. | |
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| Homepage: http://www.bfbb.co.uk Email: devofficer[AT]bfbb.co.uk | |
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| 58. John Hinkley wrote at 11.06.2005 | |
| I was sorry to hear about poor old Roger.I first met him when Pete Cooper brought him up to do a job on drums. He started to come along to rehearsals and seemed very keen so I asked him if he would like to learn to play....
He lived quite close, so I gave him a few lessons and started him on the road to Banding.
We remained friends and often spoke over the phone, the last time being at Christmas this. year.
Its good to know that the Band is still going strong.We had some very difficult times in the fifties but the revival started when the boys from the 88th BB came along. I wish you all well for the future. | |
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| Homepage: not entered Email: Trombonetwo[AT]cowplainpo8.freeserve.co.uk | |
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| 59. Alan Luesby wrote at 14.05.2005 | |
| Found your web site surfing the net one night. Sorry to hear about Rogers passing. He was a great guy, full of fun and i remember him well. I was a memeber of the CPB during the reign of MD Malcolm Simmonds. I was a trombone player. We meet up with Malcolm and his wife Isobel in 2003 on a visit to Europe with the family, and still keep in touch. I recognise some of the names in the guest book, Ian Walsh, Paul Kind and Peter Booker. We now live in Adelaide, South Australia. I still play bass trombone and currently am a member of the Unley Concert Band which came 3rd in the Australian Nationals. My best wishes to the band for the future. Alan Luesby | |
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| Homepage: not entered Email: apluesby[AT]iprimus.com.au | |
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| 60. Janet Clements wrote at 13.05.2005 | |
| I would like to thank everyone who has sent tributes in memory of Roger.
As most of you will know banding has also been a big part of my life, not always by choice i might add. However Roger and banding will be greatly missed.
I hope to continue to support the band, even if it is only making the tea at the gala concerts. | |
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| Homepage: not entered Email: roger.clements[AT]which.net | |
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