Letter to Clare Thimbleby from Bert Gibson (Hon.Sec.) on behalf of Harmony Lincs
HARMONY LINCS
LINCOLN BARBERSHOP HARMONY CLUB
RGibson Club Secretary
4 Beck St reet
Welbourn
Lincoln LN5 0LZ
June2005
Clare Thimbleby
9 Sibthorpe Drive
Sudbrooke
Lincoln LN2 2RQ
Dear Clare
Barbershop has lost a great friend.
If all the memories, the kind thoughts and the prayers turned into something magical, it would help us all through this.
There’s a lot of happy things to think about. They make us smile and they help us. They keep us going. This is a sad time. He’s there at the Executive Meetings putting forward ideas, every month. Not always getting his own way, Occasionally he does . . Then he’s there on Club nights, usually early, because he has brought you. He’ll have a quiet moan about the quality of some bass. The night goes on and we want him to sing in a quartet but he won’t do that. Only for someone special. He wants to sing "Georgia on my mind" and we shout him down. We don’t want to sing that. Its old. He has a go ever week, trying to sing that song.
He reminisces with the guys about holidays in the US. There a moan about one being late all the time. Someone asks him about golf and we find out the fairways are not wide enough for the balls he hits. Then he tells us he has E-mailed his new members and buddy lists as attachments…. .. I didn’t get mine.
These thoughts keep us going. They’ll help get us all through this.
Howard was a great man. A nice man. He enjoyed Barbershop. We enjoyed being with him. He contributed a great deal .He did many things He was always there. Never shirked work. We‘ll all miss him.
There’s a lot of memories. We hope they help you too. We are all thinking about you.
Sincerely
Howard - A personal tribute from Tony Chapman
Howard Thimbleby 1947 - 2005
It's not often that I am at a loss for words but I was stunned at the news of Howard's sudden and untimely death. I find it difficult to comprehend that he will no longer be a part of our chorus.
Howard had been an active member of Harmony Lincs for 10 years, many of which were served on the Executive Committee in various roles, including that of Chairman. He always had that air of dignity which kept us all in order.
As a chorus member his Bass voice added greatly to the wonderful harmony that has always been the signature of Harmony Lincs and although his dislike of quartets was well known, he would, when prompted, rise to the occasion and join in the fun.
I personally have many very happy memories of time spent in Howard's company, both musically and socially which will stay with me for years to come.
The world of Barbershop Harmony will be a sadder place without Howard and we will all remember him in our own private ways.
My deepest sympathy extends to Clare and the family at this sad time.
Tony Chapman
Chorus Director