Obit: Ray Bower (Yorkshire, May 2011)

Subject: Obit: Ray Bower
From: Alexis
Date: 31 May 11 - 08:45 AM

Some sad news in the South and West Yorkshire area, Ray Bower, poet, actor, singer, songwriter and also dancer (Alton, Kirkbuton Rapiers and Slubbing Billy's) passed away last week after a battle with cancer.
He was well known in our area and circle for his songs and monologues, organising Billy's singing sessions (always encouraging us) and latterly, assisting with and organising the Spoken Word element of Holmfirth Festival of Folk.
Ray will be greatly missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ray Bower
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 31 May 11 - 08:50 AM

Indeed he will.

My condolences to all.

Best wishes,

Peter

Subject: RE: Obit: Ray Bower (Yorkshire, May 2011)
From: Soldier boy
Date: 31 May 11 - 08:43 PM

Good words Alexis. Thank you very much.

Ray was indeed a very special man with a very special and natural talent to entertain. He had this amazing ability to pick up and learn words to songs, monologues and plays etc at astonishing speed and deliver them word/note perfect and add his own unique slant with his inimitable sense of humour and joy of life.

His delivery of the battle of Hastings monologue where Harold gets an arrow in his eye and the interjection of french and english always amazed me and is one I will always remember him by.

Sadly we have lost a man who was bigger than life and can never be replaced or forgotten. God bless you Ray.

Friends, please meet at Parkwood Crematorium, Elland, West Yorkshire, at 3.00pm on Wednesday 8th June to gather and remember Ray and the full and vibrant life he led.

Ray will indeed be greatly missed.

Family flowers only please, but donations would be appreciated for Kirkwood Hospice c/o T.W.Birks and son, Holme Valley Funeral Home, Woodhead Road, Holmfirth, HD9 2PR.

Thank you.

Chris

Subject: RE: Obit: Ray Bower (Yorkshire, May 2011)
From: Alexis
Date: 09 Jun 11 - 01:10 PM

Ray had a good send off yesterday. I didn't get to the burning, but was able to pay my respects at the evening "do".
Singing and dancing plus monologues - we did him proud I reckon.
Great to hear Will's (Noble) Pratty Flowers again and so many other performers as well.
RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Ray Bower (Yorkshire, May 2011)
From: Soldier boy
Date: 09 Jun 11 - 03:00 PM

Aye it were a grand do indeed and I think everyone did Ray proud on the day.
Now who will take up the challenge to present Ray's 1066, Battle of Hastings monologue and others penned by Ray, in the future to keep his musings and his memory alive?

Chris

Subject: RE: Obit: Ray Bower (Yorkshire, May 2011)
From: GUEST,India
Date: 21 Feb 23 - 06:49 AM

Hello,

I know it's been over a decade since this thread was posted, but I'm Ray's granddaughter. I was looking him up online and found this. It's lovely to read people who knew him well talking about him. I was only thirteen when he died so I never got to know him as an adult. I didn't even know he'd had a hand in organising the spoken word at the folk festival. I'm a published poet now and it's really nice to hear some new stories about him. Thank you.

India