The concert led to many positive comments, particularly that an effort should be made to celebrate Coates’ music and achieve a wider recognition of his life’s work.

Currently there is no known organisation dedicated to Eric Coates, so Ashfield District Council has formed a partnership with the Hucknall Tourism and Regeneration Group to facilitate the establishment of such.

The first step will be an event at Watnall Road Community Centre, Hucknall – coincidentally next door to the composer’s birthplace – at 6.30pm on the evening of February 27th.

Anyone with an interest in Eric Coates is welcome to attend and express their views about forming an organisation dedicated to him and his works. This particular evening is designed to gauge people’s interest and formulate ideas; subsequent meetings will be held to establish and organisation, should this be he outcome of this event.

The aim is to begin by tapping local interest in the composer and then escalate to a far wider audience.

It is already apparent that the people of Hucknall are proud of their famous son and this meeting presents a good opportunity to ensure that the life and works of Eric Coates are immortalized and his name and music perpetuated.

Should you require further details in advance of the meeting on the 27th, please contact Dennis Hill at Ashfield District Council on 01623 450000 or email: d.g.hill@ashfield-dc.gov.uk

Notes:

Eric Coates 1886 - 1957

Eric Coates was born on 27th August, 1886, in a house next to the former St. Peter’s Church on Watnall Road, Hucknall (now known as Watnall Road Community Centre). The son of Dr. Harrison Coates, his whole family was musical. While Coates was still very young a mini orchestra was formed with some of their friends. At the age of ten Coates was first violin and was able to write parts for any player that joined the group at late notice.

In the years that followed, Coates’ musical talent grew. He gave up the violin for the viola and gained a scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music in London. During his first year as a student he wrote “Four Old English Songs” that became favorites of the celebrated soprano Dame Nellie Melba, who sang them all over the world. He advanced to be principal viola for the Queen’s Hall Orchestra for seven years.

In his early days as a composer, the orchestral works had little chance of bringing him any substantial gain. He wrote for the sheer joy of composition. However in 1918, with the advent of performing rights, he was able to give up playing the viola professionally and dedicate all of his time to writing.

Coates was responsible for many of the anthems of this time, compositions such as “Knightsbridge March” which was the signature tune for the “In Town Tonight” broadcasts by the BBC. Tunes like “Calling All Workers” and “Sleepy Lagoon” were also adopted by the BBC – the latter for the ever popular “Desert Island Discs”. However, his most famous piece is perhaps “The Dambusters”, inspired by the daring feats of the RAF and used in the film of the same name.

Despite his fame Eric Coates never lost touch with his roots. He opened Hucknall Carnival in the 1930’s and was president of the Hucknall Light Orchestra.

Hucknall has every right to be proud of Eric Coates. He died on the 21st December, 1957 aged 71.