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Bob Neve, former anchor musician and lately President of Horwich Prize Medal Morris Men, died peacefully
in Royal Bolton Hospital on 26 February. A remarkable man – musician, artist, a man of the Lakeland fells, wine-maker, with a lover of music, opera, ballet, of books and cricket. He appreciated good food, knew good wine and savoured single malt whisky. He was an avid completer of crossroad puzzles and his tremendous general knowledge gave him the ammunition to daily challenge the setters of The Guardian crosswords. He was above all a very generous man, with his time and his focus on others. Bob was a family man, and although circumstances had distanced him from family life, he brought a family outlook to Horwich and the Morris, particularly to the children of fellow members. On camping weekends, Bob would be the one to start the cricket. Bob became a musician with Horwich in 1980 and continued playing regularly becoming the anchor musician - marked by the Leader’s instruction “Ready when you are, Bob” - until the summer of 1998. An injury at the Chipping Campden and Shakespeare Ring Meeting which at first appeared to be a pulled neck muscle (sustained by retrieving his accordion from the boot of the tour coach) later emerged as cancer affecting the spine. Extensive treatment although bringing about remission, affected the nerve endings of his fingers and feet, preventing him playing and restricting walking. Bob was also a key musician with The Toll Bar Band, playing regularly for Horwich sponsored celidhs and for community events and celebrations across Lancashire and Cheshire. During the last few years, Bob maintained his appreciation of good food and wine, always generously donating top quality wine when sharing meals with friends. He pursued his interest and love of music, especially Brahms, Schubert and latterly Shostakovich. He developed an interest in opera and ballet through an extensive collection of DVDs. Throughout his life Bob nurtured a love of books and reading – possibly ignited by his first job on leaving school at Foyle’s Bookshop. His bookshelves were crammed, 3 deep in places, with English classics, works on Greek and Roman history and Nelson’s navy. A quiet man, remarkable in many ways, with a wealth of knowledge, skills, attributes and achievements, is and will continue to be much missed by all his friends and those who knew him. |
