Teacher remembered by both friends and strangers (From Malvern Gazette)

Teacher remembered by both friends and strangers

10:08am Friday 8th September 2006

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A FUNDRAISING gig at the weekend in memory of a much-loved young teacher was a great success.

The concert at Alfrick Playing Field on Saturday night was packed by friends of J J Smith, who died suddenly last November.

The event, named With A Little Help From My Friends, was organised by his parents, Barry and Mandy Smith, who live in Alfrick.

It featured two young Malvern bands, Host and Velvet, plus Flame, a group of circus-style entertainers from Dorset. They came to Alfrick as one of the attractions for the village horticultural show, held earlier that day, but when told about the memorial gig, they volunteered to stay on.

"They were absolutely fantastic," said Mandy, "Their show had to be seen to be believed."

Mrs Smith was full of praise for the two bands as well: "They did it for nothing and they were absolutely great. Velvet kept on playing as long as people could dance."

The gig attracted up to 150 people, with some friends of J J's having travelled all the way from Devon to attend.

"To me it was particularly nice to see so many people enjoying themselves because of him," said Mrs Smith.

Proceeds from the gig will be split between Alfrick Playing Fields and Malvern Wells Primary School, where J J taught, and where a pavilion is being erected in his memory.

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