EDMUND LEA STAPLES

DEATH OF MR L STAPLES

AN ACCOMPLISHED MUSICIAN

Over 60 years’ Association with Local Societies

It isn with regret we record the death of Mr Edmund Lean Staples, of Enborne road, Newbury, which took place in Newbury District Hospital on Saturday evening.

Mr Staples, who ws 83 years of age, was the son of the late Mr John Staples, founder of the ironmonger’s business which formerly stood in Bridge Street.  He succeeded his father in the business on his death in 1895, and retired several years ago.  It is a coincidence that he should pass away in Newbury Hospital, for his uncle, Mr James Staples, made a handsome bequest of £1,500nto the hospital, which endowment was greatly appreciated.

For many years he was chairman of Coxedd and Pearce’s Charity, onlu recently resigning on account of his health and age.  He was also one of the original members of the Newbury Volunteer Fire Brigade.

But it was in musical circles that Mr Staples was best known, and his association as amateur with local societies extended over the long period of over sixty years.  He was one of the founders f the N.A.O.U, and played in its first concert in 1879.  He was a most useful orchestral player and once played the violin in the Handel Festival at the Crystal Palace under August Manns.  On another occasion, at the same festival, he sang tenor in the chorus.

At one time he had a hobby of colleting musical instruments, and he possessed a very valuable violin, viola, and double bass, playing the last-named I the N.A.O.U. for many years.  Once he took up the double bassoon, no doubt on the persuasion of his friend, the late Mr Joseph Hopson.  On the occasion of the Newbury Choral Society’s performance of Sir Hubert Parr’s “Judith”, the composer, who conducted, was amazed to find a local amateur double bassoon player in the orchestra.

Notwithstanding all his orchestral associations, Mr Staples’ great love, anyhow in later years, was for singing, and especially quartet singing.  He had a fine tenor voice, and was a regular member of many vocal quartets, both mixed and male voice.  He was also much in demand for concert and oratorio work, and sand the solos in “The Messiah”, “Elijah” etc. many times in Newbury and in other towns.  It will be remembered that oratorio was very much in vogue during the latter part of the 19^th century.

Mt Staples was for some years hon secretary of the Newbury Choral Society. He was also a member f theNewbury Congregational Church Choir for sixty years, and was regarded as somewhat of an authority on church music which he always did his best to keep dignified.  A great admirer of Gilbert and Sullivan operas, he very rarely missed hearing them as one by one they were produced at the Savoy Theatre.  Once he played in  an orchestra under Sir Arthur Sullivan. This was at Reading in “The Golden Legend”.  He also met Sir W S Gilbert.

Edmund Staples lived for music, to which he devoted his talents to such good account. His wife died about 17 years ago, and he is survived by two daughters.

THE FUNERAL

The funeral took place yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, the first part of the service being at the Newbury Congregational Church.  The minister, Ref. Percival Thompson, officiated, and in a short address he referred to Mr Staples’ long connection with the church choir and his leadership of a young men’s bible class.  Speaking of his musical attainments, he said “as a maker of melody he has made a real contribution in his day to human culture.  Heaven is a place of music, of harmony and of melody; Edmund Lea Staples is at home”

The hymns were two of the deceased’s favourites: The day Thou gavest” and “Abide with me”.  The chant was “The Lord is my Shepherd” the choir being in attendance.  Mr Henry Flint was at the organ and played “He shall feed His flock” (Handel) and “O rest in the Lord” (Mendelssohn) as the congregation assembled, and at the conclusion of the service he played “Crossing the bar” (J F Bridge)

The family mourners were Mr and Mrs H S Dolton (nephew and niece),Mr A J Coles(son-in-law) Also representing Mrs Coles; Mr G R Scutt (son-in-law)

Others present were Mrs Joseph Hopson, Mr and Mrs Hubert Penn, Mr Arnold Penn (representing the Sunday School), Mrs Arnold Penn, Mr Rupert Dolton ,Mr Walter Midwinter, Miss Grace Midwinter, Mr E Bennett, Mr W H Follett, Mr T A Prestoe, Miss Salway, Miss Edith Dolton, Mr F A Cartwright, Mr D G Luxon, Mrs Pitman, Miss Hopgood, Miss Pratt, Miss Belcher, Miss Fidler, Mrs Wildsmith, Mrs Skipper, Miss E D Trotter.

The interment was in the Newtown road Cemetery.

Wreaths were sent by: Grace And John, Ruther; Harry, Flo and family; John, \Nell and Alan; Edith A Hopson; Paul and Nora; Theo; George and Peter; Lily and Stanley (South Africa); Pattie and James (South Africa); Mrs J L Ward and the girls; Miss Andrew; Congregational Church Choir.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs Camp Hopson & Co. Ltd ., Newbury