A MEMORIAL is set to be held in memory of a man who breathed life into the heart of the Droitwich community.

Reginald Pearson, former county councillor, 1961 Spa mayor and St Peter's Church organist, died in December 2002 at the ripe old age of 98.

Unfortunately, unforeseen circumstances forced his family to delay the memorial. But Reginald's son Derek is keen to pay tribute to his late father at a ceremony in St Peter's Church later this month.

The former Oakland Drive resident was a talented organist and could fondly remember back to 1910, at the age of six, hearing the piano being played for the first time.

Reg, who was brought up in Lye near Stourbridge also had a talent for the violin which he played as background music to accompany the old silent movies at Lye picture house.

In 1931, Reg married Dorothy and brought up Derek and Pauline in Droitwich, while he worked as a clerical assistant to the engineer at the BBC in Wychbold.

Renowned in church circles, Reg still made time to play the church organ. But after 58 years and having seen a total of 33 clergy pass through, the keen organist had to quit due to ill health.

Responsibility

His son, Derek said: "He was a man with an incredible sense of responsibility. He never missed a church service and I always remember as a child going away on holiday after the Sunday service and having to be back before choir practice on the Friday.

"We were incredibly lucky to have such a stable family life but I don't think he could have ever done what he did without the help of our mother."

A service will be held at St Peter's Church at noon on Sunday, September 21.