Norman Robinson
I am sure that you will all have been sad to hear the news over Christmas of Norman's passing. For many members your memories of him will be of his situation over the last few years following his strokes, but for some of us of more advanced years he will be remembered for his long service to the Chorus.
The earliest picture we have been able to find of him is from 1995 in which he is resplendent in the green suit which the Chorus members wore at the time, which I am told made them look like leprechauns! During Cliff Brown's spell as Chorus Director Norman was his assistant and he fulfilled the same role for me from 2004 until he was unable to continue for health reasons. He was very musically knowledgeable, and indeed we have one of his papers in the Resources section of our new Web site.
I understand that he worked for CEGB in Starbeck, and with his own office and secretary he was regarded as 'the go-to man' whenever there was a problem.
Norman also sang with The Dales Singers until they disbanded a few years ago; with The Elysian Singers, where I replaced him in 2007 as a Second Bass when he decided that he could no longer reach the higher notes; and with Harrogate Harmony; and I know that members of those groups have expressed their condolences to Kath.
We will miss his tenor voice, and his quiet supportive presence, and acknowledge his considerable part in helping Daytones develop to where we are today. We regret that because of COVID we will be unable to show our regard for him by singing at his funeral.
We mourn the passing of a true Gentle Man.
Rest in peace Norman, you certainly helped to 'keep the whole world singing'.
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