A MUSICAL and literary celebration of the life of a man who was a dedicated supporter of and contributor to the Lake District cultural scene for nearly 34 years is to be held next month.

The event at St Oswald's Parish Church, Grasmere, on Friday December 1, will remember Kenneth Hodgkinson who sadly passed away earlier this year in Macclesfield, Cheshire, where he had been living for the previous 12 months.

On retiring from teaching Classics at Altrincham Boys’ Grammar School near Manchester, Mr Hodgkinson and his wife Cynthia, keen walkers in the Lakes since their youth, moved in 1983 to Ambleside, where soon his musical abilities were much in demand.

He joined, then conducted and ran the Windermere Orchestra, composed music and songs for The Grasmere Players for over 25 years, rehearsing the performers and playing piano for every performance. He was a sought-after piano accompanist for many local instrumentalists and more recently was involved with Grasmere Glee Club as a music arranger and singer.

He also participated in and organised local poetry and classical play reading groups as well as giving expert talks on Ambleside’s Roman fort, given his earlier teaching career following his Classics degree from Pembroke College, Cambridge.

There is a wealth of stories about Mr Hodkinson's ability to turn his hand to helping out. Only last year, while he was attending a memorial service for a musical friend, it was discovered that there was no oboe part for Mozart’s ‘Ave Verum’ due to be played after the coffee break, so Mr Hodkinson quickly wrote one.

Earlier this year he donated his extensive archive of music to Lake District Summer Music for the benefit of their young participants. For many years he and Cynthia had invited student musicians to practise at their home, with Ken offering his piano-playing accompanying skills.

Mr Hodkinson's family, with contributions from his many friends, will stage the musical and literary celebration of his life.

They extend a warm welcome to anyone who knew him.