To the friends of Chris Newman at FoR3

[Lateralthinking1]

Just to add my thanks to you french frank for attending today.

[marthe]

FF thanks for posting about Chris Newman's service. He looked just the sort of person I though him to be and so much resembled my own father, the breard and the lovely smile, that I had tears in my eyes reading this. I'm also sending heartfelt wishes to Curalach and his wife for what must be a very difficult time.

[salymap]

I put the computer and myself to bed before I could read ff's post on Chris. I wish I could have been there, but thanks ff for reporting the funeral so movingly. I knew from letters, emails and various conversations that he was a wonderful man.

Best wishes to Iain and his wife too.

[kernelbogey]

I've been reflecting on my palpable sadness on reading Becca's message, telling of her father's death, although Chris Newman was, in one sense, the name of a fellow boards member - that is, not someone I had met. I was aware of his posts, although I hadn't the history with him that others may have had from the former BBC boards. But I've checked my PMs and find that we had exchanged PMs only in early- and mid-April; in them his generosity and friendliness shines through the language.

My work involves contact with many students aged about 19-21 and I'm continually struck by their lively reliance on digital media for contact; and I've been given to scepticism about the quality of contact that can generate. But I now have proof, in a rather astonishing degree, of how much I can gain from 'virtual' contact with another.

Many thanks, ff, for your touching account of the farewells to Chris and for attending on behalf of the Forum.

My best wishes also to Curalach and your wife.

kb

[french frank]

Forgot to say that Becca mentioned during the service that Chris had had so many appreciative messages from his friends here.

[amateur51]

I've been reflecting on my palpable sadness on reading Becca's message, telling of her father's death, although Chris Newman was, in one sense, the name of a fellow boards member - that is, not someone I had met. I was aware of his posts, although I hadn't the history with him that others may have had from the former BBC boards. But I've checked my PMs and find that we had exchanged PMs only in early- and mid-April; in them his generosity and friendliness shines through the language.

My work involves contact with many students aged about 19-21 and I'm continually struck by their lively reliance on digital media for contact; and I've been given to scepticism about the quality of contact that can generate. But I now have proof, in a rather astonishing degree, of how much I can gain from 'virtual' contact with another.

Many thanks, ff, for your touching account of the farewells to Chris and for attending on behalf of the Forum.

My best wishes also to Curalach and your wife.

kb

Thank you for this kernel, especially the part about the potential richness of 'virtual' contact - the concert reports and the CD recommendations that Chris made in this forum will stay with me & I can play the CDs in his memory which I am sure will live on for many of us.

Gone certainly but not forgotten

[Richard Tarleton]

Thanks from me too ff. I remembered Chris by listening to my BBC Legends recording of 4 Last songs with Elizabeth Soderstrom. Chris and I, unbeknownst to eachother, were both at an RFH performance of it by her with Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt and the Philharmonia back in 1972. I knew him first as modestchristoff on the old boards.

[Stillhomewardbound]

FF ... How good of you to have attended and provided a very kind tribute.

[Petrushka]

I've been reflecting on my palpable sadness on reading Becca's message, telling of her father's death, although Chris Newman was, in one sense, the name of a fellow boards member - that is, not someone I had met. I was aware of his posts, although I hadn't the history with him that others may have had from the former BBC boards. But I've checked my PMs and find that we had exchanged PMs only in early- and mid-April; in them his generosity and friendliness shines through the language.

My work involves contact with many students aged about 19-21 and I'm continually struck by their lively reliance on digital media for contact; and I've been given to scepticism about the quality of contact that can generate. But I now have proof, in a rather astonishing degree, of how much I can gain from 'virtual' contact with another.

Many thanks, ff, for your touching account of the farewells to Chris and for attending on behalf of the Forum.

My best wishes also to Curalach and your wife.

kb

Thanks from me too for this post. Since reading Becca's message I have also been pondering on the enormous sadness I felt and still do feel when I had never met Chris yet somehow felt as if I had known him all my life. Your post helps me to understand why.

I joined the old BBC boards in 2008 and remember Chris's posts well from my first days. From a comment he made to me in reply to one of my posts it was clear that Chris was also, like me, a contributor to the old Gramophone forum though I have no idea what name he was using.

The recording I played last Sunday evening of the Boult account of Elgar's Dream of Gerontius was heard with Chris in mind as he recommended it to me and, moreover, somehow managed to find the texts for me of the works in Boult's Elgar choral boxed set on the EMI website when this is never mentioned in the accompanying booklet.

[jayne lee wilson]

Yes, a lovely evocation from FF... what an extraordinary depth and breadth to the messages, follow-ups and responses, here in Chris's memory. Says everything doesn't it?

I think we could all say, with Beethoven about his Missa Solemnis:
"From the heart, may it go to the heart"...

[salymap]

The first time the recent Kathleen Ferrier film was shown both Chris and I bemoaned the fact that it wasn't on iPlayer. When it was repeated I reminded him that it would be shown again on the 18th May. I still thought he could be on holiday, but no.

Today is his birthday. I am glad I kept many of his interesting emails, not only full of his love of music, but wonderful stories of Sussex and Salisbury.

I never met him, but as kb says, the very best of virtual friendships that one could wish for.

[antongould]

There is, perhaps, little doubt that the virtual world has a number of downsides but, probably sitting x thousand miles away, it can be seen as a force to united people in a common good purpose such as in our sorrow for the loss of, as well as thanks for the life of Chris.

[Hornspieler]

Becca, I am so sorry to hear this. Only early today I asked another poster i f he had news of Chris as I saw thathe hadn't been on the Message Boards since the 3rd May.

He visited Hornspieler in hospital over a year ago and between us we kept his Troovi site going. I greatly admired your dad's paintings, too, and still have several on my favourites. Then recently he posted so well on the William Golding thread and often finished his messages with BWS, which was his code for the school.

I am more sorry than I can say and shall miss his wise words and sense of humour that rather matched mine

I am very sad for the family and although I never met him I feel I have lost a real friend. I am 82 and unable to attend on 30th but I shall be thinking of you all.


Pamela

I only returned from Portugal today, after a fortnight's holiday and was devastated by the sad news of Chris Newman's passing.
Yes, he travelled from Salisbury to visit me last year when I was seriously ill in hospital and his visit was a great comfort to me. We had much in common, with our experience of Bishop Wordsworth's School (and "Scruff" Golding) and it is of great sadness that I missed his funeral in the lovely old church of St Thomas (the oldest church in Salisbury, pre-dating even the Cathedral).

The message boards will certainly miss his musical knowledge and critical wisdom.

Rest in Peace, Chris.

Hornspieler

[handsomefortune]

i am adding my condolences to becca, and family a bit late too.

i've only been a way a short while, and surprised myself at my fond memories, 'miss you all' type sensations about this forum. i was really looking forward to returning but now that i'm back, tbh i am so shocked to discover an emptiness where chris once posted. simultaneously, it's touching to read becca's notification, and posters' parting messages to chris.

i am also impressed and cheered that frenchy went to chris's funeral, and typically provided a vivid description of chris and family's service at st thomas's. however, i am not in the least surprised our host did this, as she's clearly especially caring in lots of ways, which is precisely why this unique forum exists initially.

i agree totally with posts stressing the albeit subtle closeness that's achieved between contributors in (some) virtual communities, our encounters are never to be underestimated.

though i find it a little odd that people post stuff about 'chris joining his favourite musicians in the after life', as though we're not eventually all destined to join chris in the very same place!

so, home at last chris - we'll all be back with you one day or other!

ps on my arrival 'home', i look forward to meeting everyone, smoking a cigar, and toasting whatever we deem appropriate with a large brandy, possibly joined by that rogue pablo picasso!! i assume we'll all have a heated debate about 20th c painting, and probably hardly agree on much at all!

[Karafan]

I have only belatedly stumbled on Becca's sad news and wanted to just say that I too will miss Chris and his thoughtful and gentlemanly postings.

He wore his vast knowledge of musical performance lightly and was never less than a pleasure to read. Rest in peace, Chris, your personality and warmth on these boards will not be replaced.

In sorrow,

Karafan/Richard