Taverham Band in shock at death of loyal member

David Freezer Saturday, September 22, 2012
12:00 PM

A local band has been left shocked after one of its members died at the age of 48.

Exploding Brass event at Taverham Hall.; The Taverham band

Taverham Band members are mourning the sudden death of long-serving musician and band member Simon Meakin on Tuesday.

Mr Meakin, from Felthorpe, died as a result of complications following a tennis injury to his calf and an inquest will now determine his exact cause of death.

The father-of-three joined the brass band as a trainee before progressing to join the main band in 1978, where he played the baritone for six years.

After taking a break he returned to the band to play Eb tuba in 2003, at which time his son Sam and daughter Chloe were learning trombone and cornet respectively with the band.

Taverham Band

The family involvement expanded further, with wife Adele taking up the tenor horn and youngest son Joe working as a sound and lighting engineer.

Mr Meakin also was a key member of the management committee as bandmaster and worked with the Youth Training Band.

The band’s musical director, Ian Colman, who joined the band on the same day as Mr Meakin in 1978, said: “The Band is totally devastated at the sudden loss of such an important musician and friend.

“The success seen by the band over recent years has been a result of an excellent team of people working both on and off the stage, and Simon played a key role in both aspects.

“With members of the band averaging 17-years membership, we are one big family, and I know the band is very important to Adele and the children as they come to terms with their sad loss.”

Simon was employed as works manager with FW Frost Engineers Ltd in Drayton, which he joined after leaving school, and he was also a member of the Model T Club, with vintage cars being an interest passed down through generations of his family.

A planned concert by the band at St Mary’s Church in Whissonsett, near Fakenham, tonight has been cancelled following the sad news.

Details of Mr Meakin’s funeral arrangements have not yet been confirmed.

Would you like to pay tribute to Mr Meakin? Contact David Freezer on 01603 772418 or david.freezer@archant.co.uk