Remembering a local man of note: Eric Fenby
Along with so many names of great note celebrated around the town, there is yet one who richly deserves a prestigious Civic Society Blue Plaque. Still regarded as an unsung hero to music this modest music teacher went on to establish a unique place in history.
A local religious and musical background, plus inspiration gained from the Scarborough Spa Orchestra, enabled Eric Fenby still in his 20s, to assist a famous dying composer complete his life's work. Without Fenby's efforts much of the beautiful music composed by Frederick Delius would certainly have been lost forever.
Upon his return to Scarborough he also went on to found the Music Department at the 'North Riding College' on Filey Road, now part of Scarborough Tech. He was subsequently awarded an OBE, and became a professor of composition at the Royal Academy of Music in London.
Eric Fenby never lost touch with his much beloved home town and passed away here in 1997. On Saturday afternoon, November 22, at the 'Stephen Joseph' cinema, Yorkshire Television Film Director Nick Gray will present a wonderful biopic film he made in the 1980s, about this local hero.
In 'Song of Farewell', Fenby retrospectively charts his six year mission of good will from Scarborough to Grez-sur-loing in France to painstakingly perform his service as an amanuensis to the paralysed and blind composer. Not only did Fenby score unfinished compositions, he enabled a radiant Indian Summer to a repertoire of fine music. As a fellow Yorkshireman, he supported the Bradford born Delius through his worsening illness until the composer's death in 1934.
Many people in this town fondly remember Eric as a modest music teacher who was kind, generous and unassuming. I'm sure that his part in the musical heritage of Scarborough and as a selfless role model for future generations should be remembered and celebrated.