We were sad to hear, from Ivor’s wife Jennifer, that Ivor died on 15 August 2018.
Ivor joined HMSO in July 1961 and moved to Norwich as a Printing Officer in 1968. His love of music drew him towards local groups, and he was Chairman/Secretary of the Norfolk Music Trust for many years. He lived in Buxton, in the aptly-named house ‘Wahnfried’ and was awarded an MBE for his services to music charities.
This portrait is a remarkable likeness.
Ivor’s funeral will be held on Friday 31st August at 1.00pm at All Saints Hainford NR10 3BQ followed by burial at Bluebell Wood.
The EDP Family Notice can be seen here.
Jennifer Hosgood adds: Dear Reg, David Berwick emailed to tell me he had written a tribute to Ivor for HMSOldies, and I realised that I hadn’t thanked you for publicising Ivor’s death and funeral.
I would like to thank the ex-colleagues who came to be with him on his final journey. I was sad that most of them didn’t stay to speak to me or I would have thanked them personally.
However, Ivor had a good send off, in a full Hainford Church, with a small choir to lead the hymns he had chosen, and sing the canticles. The organist, Ralph Cupper, who had met Ivor on one of the organ crawls that Ivor had organised, but who now lives in Norway, played the Elgar organ concerto for his entry. We had this for my entry back in 1966, when we got married, and Wagner’s overture from Die Meistersingers, the last opera we attended together in Glyndebourne for the recession. Jonathan Wortley, the vice chairmen of the Trust, gave the eulogy, and the Rector, Chris Engelsen, was wonderful, and has been very supportive since.
He is buried in Bluebell Wood in Hainford, and his plaque will be placed next Friday.
As you can imagine, the house is quiet and empty without him, and when I emerge from this dreadful black hole I am in, I will have the memories of the great times we had together.
I hope some of you will keep in touch.
Yours very sincerely,
Jennifer Hosgood
12 November 2018: Just to let you know that donations from Ivor’s funeral raised over £500, which I am very pleased about. Terry and Vera Burchell have very kindly visited a couple of times and Terry came over also to take pictures of Ivor’s memorial plaque when I put it in place. David Berwick added Ivor’s name to the list at the Cathedral to be read out at the All Souls Requiem Mass, and invited me to attend. It was a beautiful and very moving experience. I am obviously very lonely as you can probably imagine. Ivor was the focus of my life. I am gradually getting through the paperwork, but it’s not easy.
Next week, I’m hoping to go to London to take part in a St Cecelia ‘s day service at St Paul’s Cathedral, that we were looking forward to, but I feel that Ivor would want me to go. A friend I made while working in Poland is meeting me and accompanying me. It is for Help Musicians UK. So I’m trying to be brave.
With many thanks to you and Ivor’s ex colleagues.
Sincerely
Jennifer Hosgood