Both Kevin and Mary had a musical ear, Kevin as a tenor in various choirs, including while serving in the RAF in India, and Mary having studied for her LRAM degree at Goldsmiths' College in London.
With this strong interest, music was regularly heard in the house, initially with Mary on her Brinsmead upright piano or from the radio.
The piano was regularly tuned by Harold Lowry. His visits were memorable, not only for the chance to see the inner workings of the piano, but also to watch Harold's arrival on his small motor bike, with his case of tools strapped on the back of the seat.
First exposure to playing recorded music came during summer holidays in Silloth. The house that the family stayed in had an old record player with horn, similar to the example shown, which needed wound up by handle. The one "78" that is remembered was "Tiger Rag", which according to Peter had "Canadian Capers" on the "B Side".
The introduction of the grey cased record player, which Peter thought could have a Monarch, came soon after moving to Brampton, with music from a growing collection of vinyl records, including singles from popular bands of the 60s. Some of the first "45s" included The Beatles' "She Loves You" and The Kinks' "Set me free".
In addition to the popular singles, Mary had a number of records that she also enjoyed, which were equally well played. One was a recording of the Halle Orchestra and Manchester Schools' Choir from 1929, recorded at the Free Trade Hall, and . This had Purcell's "Nymphs and Shepherds" on one side, and the "Dance Duet" from Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel opera on the "B" Side. Mary, it is recalled, would often comment that the choir had a tendency to get carried away and get ahead of the orchestra.
Recordings of this are available on the internet, links below:
Musical instrument tuition
Mary was keen for her family to have the chance to learn an instrument.
Chris had some piano lessons with the then Carlisle Cathedral organist, Andrew Sievewright, however this did not last, although when at secondary school, Chris did join an after school guitar group.
Michael started violin lessons, initially at a music school in Carlisle. He then worked with local musician Alf Adamson. Michael persevered and as his skills developed, he became a pupil of Kitty Walker. The interest was maintained and Michael's career has subsequently been as a musician and conductor, including the setting up of two companies, Music Theatre Wales and subsequently, Uproar.
At the start of his secondary schooling, Andrew took French horn lessons, and he carried on with those for a couple of years.