Will Atkinson (died 30th July 2003)
by Ernie Gordon
Following a short illness Will Atkinson died peacefully in his sleep at Berwick Infirmary at 09.30hrs on Wednesday 30th July 2003, with his immediate family around him. I am sure that all our thoughts go out to Will’s family at this particular time.
So typical of the man, he enjoyed playing a few tunes with visiting friends while in hospital, right up to the time before his passing, which is the absolute measure of this wonderful, musical, country man.
The burial service took place at Wooler Parish Church on Wednesday 5th August, movingly conducted by the Rev Bob Burston before a packed congregation of family and friends, gilded with the strains of Will’s favourite music during and following the service so ably provided by Alistair Anderson and a number of Will’s personal musical friends. A fantastic floral tribute, arranged by Will’s granddaughter Sarah bedecked his coffin on its final journey, so wonderfully apt, depicting in superb fashion the first few bars of her Granddad’s very first composition The Glen Aln Hornpipe. Together with the sunshine it made the occasion such a perfect farewell in every respect.
The final chapter of ‘The Three Musical Shepherds’ is now complete, as Will is the last to have his name added to the ‘Roll of Honour’ of traditional music greats as he now joins his other two friends of many years’ standing – the late Joe Hutton and Willie Taylor, and a whole host more.
I can see a great reunion taking place, a lot of ‘craic’ to bring up-to-date now that they are all finally together. Just imagine listening in on the conversation with Jimmy Shand, Will Hannah, Will Starr and the galaxy of greats who have gone before him!!
How ironic, even timely, that he was able to derive such pleasure assisting me with his book and compiling the necessary material these past few months. I can assure you all, he was extremely ‘chuffed’ when he received the very first copy from the printers. In fact he was always immensely proud every time he played on stage or wherever, in his own inimitable, modest but brilliant way, eager to perfect each and every tune so as to do it justice and always eager to give help and advise to anyone who sought his services.
Will has left a marvelous legacy for us all in the traditional music world simply by being who he was, for he will forever be remembered as ‘The Wonderful Musical Country Man’.
Box and Fiddle
September 2003
So typical of the man, he enjoyed playing a few tunes with visiting friends while in hospital, right up to the time before his passing, which is the absolute measure of this wonderful, musical, country man.
The burial service took place at Wooler Parish Church on Wednesday 5th August, movingly conducted by the Rev Bob Burston before a packed congregation of family and friends, gilded with the strains of Will’s favourite music during and following the service so ably provided by Alistair Anderson and a number of Will’s personal musical friends. A fantastic floral tribute, arranged by Will’s granddaughter Sarah bedecked his coffin on its final journey, so wonderfully apt, depicting in superb fashion the first few bars of her Granddad’s very first composition The Glen Aln Hornpipe. Together with the sunshine it made the occasion such a perfect farewell in every respect.
The final chapter of ‘The Three Musical Shepherds’ is now complete, as Will is the last to have his name added to the ‘Roll of Honour’ of traditional music greats as he now joins his other two friends of many years’ standing – the late Joe Hutton and Willie Taylor, and a whole host more.
I can see a great reunion taking place, a lot of ‘craic’ to bring up-to-date now that they are all finally together. Just imagine listening in on the conversation with Jimmy Shand, Will Hannah, Will Starr and the galaxy of greats who have gone before him!!
How ironic, even timely, that he was able to derive such pleasure assisting me with his book and compiling the necessary material these past few months. I can assure you all, he was extremely ‘chuffed’ when he received the very first copy from the printers. In fact he was always immensely proud every time he played on stage or wherever, in his own inimitable, modest but brilliant way, eager to perfect each and every tune so as to do it justice and always eager to give help and advise to anyone who sought his services.
Will has left a marvelous legacy for us all in the traditional music world simply by being who he was, for he will forever be remembered as ‘The Wonderful Musical Country Man’.
Box and Fiddle
September 2003