Posted by Peter Roche on June 02, 2000 at 18:57:56 from dyn202-ras5.screaming.net:
Val posted this Report on Clubhut yesterday on my behalf and it's been suggested that you all might like to read it.
This posting is partly in reponse to Peter H's last on Clubhut and partly as a result of my visit to Coniston.
I have just returned from what I consider to be my most positive TARS experience in nearly three years, the kind of experience that was, at one time, commonplace for me. I'm referring to the Celebration of Brigit's life at Coniston parish church on Monday 29th May.
Not being able to attend the AGM - there was no business that required Proxies - I drove to Coniston to attend the Tribute to Brigit.
Not knowing what sort of reception I might receive - if my experience at Rudyard was anything to judge by a frosty one awaited me - I was prepared for the worse, but this occasion was far too important to be missed. Brigit and John were good friends to me and Val, and no matter what, I was determined to pay my last respects.
I needn't have worried; everybody I spoke to, even the individuals who had shunned me at Rudyard, were prepered to exchange a few kind words, ask after Valerie, and, in one or two surprising cases, shake my hand.
If you weren't there you missed a treat, if you could call such an occasion a treat, I would. If you were there you know exactly what I mean. There were times when to applaud seemed the most natural thing to do, but we're to hidebound by convention to express our emotions in that way, in church, pity.
Somebody once said that nothing can be greater than the sum of its parts, but whoever they were they had never attended such an occasion; Norman's genuine overtures of affection; Roger's uncharacteristic nervousness; David's droll self-mockery; Christina's valiant struggle to keep back the tears; Dick's emotive reading from Wordworth's 'Ode To Duty'; Jim's gentle kindness; Brian's moving organ playing and piano accompaniment to Robert's delightful renditions; Kirtsy's seamless organisation; Nicholas's simple tribute; Anne's, Emma's, Mary's and Vicky's heartfelt readings; John's loyal memories; the congregation's lusty singing of two AR favourites, all contributed to the bitter-sweet poignancy of the moment, and in their totality were far greater than the sum of their parts.
The individual tributes were simple and touching, but to my mind the highlight of the afternoon was Rahel, Titty's daughter - a strikingly attractive young lady, blessed with the Armenian duskiness that once, long ago, must have attracted Arthur to the Altounian children - when she accompanied herself on guitar to two penetratingly individual folksongs.
The celebrations were rounded off with a visit to Holly Howe where Lucy Batty had laid on Tea & Scones, and with Roger's approval I joined in. An appropriate venue to complete a perfect afternoon.
Peter Roche.