Sad death of our own Oddbod, Keith Wardle

[ploughboy]

I have had a message this morning, Keith Passed away in the early hours of this morning. Details of the funeral will follow when I have them.

I have played under Keith helping out at Stanley Newmarket, and had the pleasure of chatting band with him. He was a great all round guy, with a passion for bands and trying to take them forwards. I'm sure all those who knew him will truely miss him. An exceptional Gentleman.

[flash harry]

A sad day indeed.

A top, top bloke who had bucket loads of talent. My thoughts go out to Mark, Thelma and Eric and family.

God bless...

[iancwilx]

What a tragedy.
Such a great guy with so much talent taken at such a comparatively young age.
I valued his friendship and enjoyed playing under his inspired direction.
Sincere condolences to Thelma, Eric and Mark.
I shall miss him.

- Ian W.

[joker66]

A sad day indeed.

Our thoughts go to his family and friends. Keith will be sadly missed


Liz

[DannyCollin]

This is devastating news. A sad sad day.

My thoughts are with Keiths family

[WoodenFlugel]

Very sad news, this. I never met Keith personally, but I always enjoyed his contributions here. He seemed to be much liked and well respected and that says it all really.

My thoughts are with Keith's family

[bumperman]

so sorry to hear this news. I didn't know Keith that well, only knew him through helping Kippax out at a couple of jobs last year but he seemed like an excellent chap and someone with a great talent in music.

My thoughts and the thoughts of everybody from the Wakefield Metropolitan Band are with Keiths family and friends at this sad time.

[steve butler]

Sad sad day, Keith was a brilliant musician and at times an inspired band trainer and conductor, also a true "oddbod" which was a big part of his charm. The period under Keith at Kippax when we were winning regularly was some off my happiest days in banding.
Heartfelt condolences to Eric, Them and Mark.

[postie]

Heard from someone in our band earlier about this knew that he wasn't very well but still sad to hear off his passing.

[Brian]

I have known Keith from his very early playing days at Thoresby; playing alongside him on several occasions.We always had long chats when we met at contests (usually in the bar) it was a great priviledge to have been his friend for all of those years, and had a marvelous night with him earlier this year at his party. I will miss him as a friend and his "oddbod"wit.My sympathies go to Eric, Thelma, and Mark

[Unregistered]

I didn't know Keith personally but have heard alot about him in particular the success he has had with Kippax.

I know that it is a very sad time for all who knew him including the many players in Pleasley Colliery Welfare Brass Band.

It is a great loss to the brass band world too.

We are all thinking of your Thelma Eric and family and offer our deepest sympathy to you all.

Helen and Dave
and all players of Pleasley Colliery Welfare Band

[Morton coles]

Eleanor and I,while on a visit to the UK, were devastated to learn last week of Keith's illness and today of his passing.
Keith worked with us for many years and became a true friend and confidant
eventually taking over the business when we retired.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Eric Thelma and Mark and all at Servisbond.

[JamesResurgam]

Rita and I are deeply shocked to hear of his passing. We became very good friends when we met through Blidworth Colliery Band, and had an enormous respect for his musicianship both as a player and composer. We had many happy hours discussing music, and the musicians that influence us both.

To Thelma, Mark, and Eric, our deepest sympathies at this tragic loss.

It has been my privilege and pleasure to have walked a few steps upon life's way with this extremely talented young man, and will treasure some wonderful memories.

God Bless you my friend.

David & Rita James

[killer]

They really were "the best of times" ....... Thanks Keith.

[kensar]

A truly great loss to the brass band movement. Keith will be missed so much by so many. He always had time for you and your problems, always had something positive and usually witty to say. Top bloke.

[Lewis Chris]

Only met Keith a few times when I helped Kippax one summer when home from uni. Made me feel very welcome (as did the rest of the band) and he will be missed both in and out of the brass band world.

Deepest sympathy to his family.

Chris Lewis

[Unregistered]

The banding world has lost a true friend. Myself and Wendy met Keith when playing for Kippax Band about ten years ago. We enjoyed our time with him. We have bumped into Keith at other times and he always had a smile. God bless you Keith. Thanks for the good times.
Our thoughts are with Keiths family.

Bob & Wendy Woffinden

[2nd man down]

So shocked to hear this news.

RIP Keith.

[flugelman]

Sad sad day, Keith was a brilliant musician and at times an inspired band trainer and conductor, also a true "oddbod" which was a big part of his charm. The period under Keith at Kippax when we were winning regularly was some off my happiest days in banding.
Heartfelt condolences to Eric, Them and Mark.

Couldnt agree more Butler. My thoughts are with Thelma, Eric and Mark at this sad time.

RIP Keith

[paddo]

absolutely gob smacked when i got the text yesterday telling me, still can't believe it.

Will be missed by all me thinks, top guy, top bandsman, thoughts to you Eric, Thelma, Mark and the rest of the Wardle family.

Mark & Joanne

RIP Keith

[BOB]

Such sad news - will be missed by all of us at Thoresby Colliery Band. Keith was highly regarded as a gentleman and talented musician by all who knew him.

My thoughts to all his family,

Bob Craddock

[Teflon1961]

The funeral of Keith Wardle will take place at St. Mary's Church, Edwinstowe, Nr Mansfield, Notts on Wednesday the 11th June at 2:00 pm, followed by burial in the Forest Cemetery.

Keith’s wish was to have flowers from close family only. If you would like to contribute in lieu of flowers, an account has been set up to accept your donations. The “Keith Wardle Memorial Fund” will be available for you to send in to via Mr G. Cowley, 180 Fourth Avenue, Edwinstowe, Mansfield, Notts. NG21 9NS, the proceeds of which will be used to purchase a Memorial Trophy in Keith’s name with the total remainder of the money being put toward the continuing fund raising efforts of the Thoresby Youth Band.

Following the service and burial, there will be a chance to mix and mingle at the Thoresby Social Club, Fourth Avenue, Edwinstowe, where we would hope to meet attendees of the service and share a few memories and stories.

For any further details, please contact mark@smudgeproductions.com (mark@smudgeproductions.com)

Many thanks

Mark Wardle

[dalizzie]

I have known Keith for over 30 years and regarded him as a true friend and inspiration.
To say I am devastated is the understatement of the year.
A total gentleman and a superb musician, conductor and composer.
Thanks for your many words of encouragement over the years, your wit and talent will be missed by everyone who knew you.
My heartfelt condolences go out to Thelma, Eric and Mark.

Dave Fretwell.

[andyfake]

From the Kippax Band Website:

It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of our former conductor Keith Wardle who died, aged 50, early on Monday morning, following several months of illness. Our thoughts at this time are very much with his parents Eric and Thelma and his brother Mark, all of whom have had close connections with us over a number of years.


Keith first came to Kippax in 1992, with the band in the newly constituted 1st Section. He immediately impressed with his precise style and attention to detail, though never at the expense of making music. He was fascinated by the band’s long history and by the feats of previous conductors, such as Brian Nicholson and Tony Whittaker, who had propelled the band into the top section during the 1970s and 1980s. By the time he left in 1997, Keith had achieved his aim of putting Kippax back into the Championship Section, winning the Mineworkers’ 1st section at Blackpool along the way.


Returning in the summer of 2005, Keith found Kippax doomed to relegation to Section 2, but immediately set about stopping the rot, once again getting the band to play together and enjoy their music making. 2006-7 was a true purple patch in Kippax history, with titles at both Butlins and Pontins, as well as qualification for the National Finals, arguably cementing his position as the band’s most successful conductor ever.


Rehearsals with Keith were never dull. There was much to be learned and much to be enjoyed. Despite his reputation for laid-back, off-the-wall humour, the week before a major contest was usually “tin-hats on time” as Keith strove for nothing less than perfection – but the results speak for themselves. He genuinely cared about the music and about the players around him and consequently brought the best out of both.

Always one for the random thought or fact (his internet user name “OddBod” summed him up perfectly), Keith left this life on the same day as Bo Diddley and Yves Saint-Laurent. In Bo, he can share the journey with a fellow musical genius who trod his own path and loved his art. Yves, however, is unlikely to be impressed by the dodgy suits.


Rest in Peace, Keith. The players and supporters of the Kippax Band, past and present, owe you a huge debt of gratitude for the fun, enthusiasm and musicianship you brought into their lives.

[Teflon1961]

Andy, I'm speechless.

I speak for Mum too, when I say that our time at Kippax, were the best years of banding we had as a family.

Thank you for your words and to Kippax Band for taking to us. It's ...well, what great days.....

[HelterSkelter]

I never had the privilege of meeting Keith, but I know that many of our players did, and how highly respected he was. It's a terrible loss to the banding world, and our thoughts are with Eric, Thelma and Mark.

From Jeff & all the members of Welbeck Estates Brass Band.

[Unregistered]

I am so saddened to hear of Keith's passing. I played under Keith at Dinnington Colliery Band and Clipstone Colliery Band. He was not only a brilliant musician and conductor but also a very likeable person who always had time for a chat. He will be sadly missed. My deepest sympathy to Eric Thelma and Mark.

George Bradbury

[derekdawson]

I first joined Kippax in 2005, Keith was MD and from the very beginning he showed me nothing but kindness and respect, I was gutted to hear the very tragic news and my sincere condolences to Thelma, Eric and Mark, I too will miss him greatly

[mikelyons]

I am really saddened to hear this. Although I never met him in the flesh I read all his contributions on tMP with interest and we occasionally conversed by PM.

I had noticed his absence from tMP, but hadn't realised he was very ill.

My heartfelt condolences and prayers go to Keith's family.

[Bit-part Bari]

I heard of Keith's passing whilst on holiday last week and both Michelle and I were deeply saddened by the news.

I had the privelege of playing under Keith's direction for 7 years, in both his spells as MD at Kippax. Some of my fondest memories of banding were when Keith was at the helm and, as documented in the Kippax post, we enjoyed great success during his tenure. Keith's experience and vast knowledge were a huge help to me as a young player and I look back on our time as a band with great memories.

Rest In Peace Keith,

Lee & Michelle Fairburn
Kippax Band

[Teflon1961]

On behalf of the whole family, many thanks to all who have contributed to this thread. It's really heartwarming and supportive to know that Keith had so many friends through the banding world and he touched people's lives in so many different ways. Many, many thanks indeed from Eric, Thelma, myself,and my two, Ben and Joanne.

We are expecting tomorrow to be quite well attended, if you are struggling to park, please use the Royal Oak Pub's car park on the crossroads adjacent to the church, I have arranged this with the landlord (John Wilson), who is a friend of mine and there will be no problems. If you have any questions and want to email me, please do so as shown below.

Once again, many thanks.

Mark Wardle
mark@smudgeproductions.com

[Teflon1961]

Keith Wardle
1957 - 2008


The family of Keith Wardle was overwhelmed at the attendance to Keith's funeral recently. Over 300 people gathered at St Mary's Church in Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire. Among them, representatives from 15 bands.

The Thoresby Colliery Band were outstanding as they played music from Keith’s own Millennium Suite, composed for the 2000 millennium pageant celebrations in his home-village, Edwinstowe.

Stan Lippeatt’s thoughtful gesture was for Mark Wardle to conduct Thoresby on this occasion. Along with Ian McCormick, Stan performed Mark’s sensitive duet arrangement of “The Prayer” from Disney’s “Quest for Camelot”, which followed an emotional delivery by Simon Willis of Benjamin Godard's “Berceuse from Jocelyn”, (''Angels Guard Thee'') chosen by the family. This was Keith’s debut TV performance as a soloist in 1975. The performances were welcomed with warm applause.

Thoughtful, sensitive and sometimes humorous eulogies were delivered by Malcolm Bevan and Stan Lippeatt, to whom the family owe a great debt of thanks.

Following the burial in Edwinstowe Forest Cemetery, the mourners, bandsmen and women enjoyed each other’s company over refreshments at the Thoresby Social Club. Many stories and memories were shared between those in attendance; it was indeed mentioned and referred to as something so similar to that of a gathering of the players on contest day! Keith’s funeral was a celebration of his life and gave thanks for all he left us.

Thelma, Eric, Mark, Ben and Joanne wish to thank everyone who attended Keith's funeral, also for the many messages of sympathy received and for donations passed to George and Elsie Cowley for 'The Keith Wardle Memorial' Fund.

The Wardle Family.

[Unregistered]

I have just heard the sad news about Keith, I used to work with him at Procare Cleaning Management when it was based in Tideswell Derbyshire. My thoughts are with his family and friends. RIP Keith xxx