On Sunday 8th June 2014 at 2:45pm
in the Birch Hotel
Lewes Road, Haywards Heath
We had the pleasure of
Peter Parker
A Well known authority on G & S
Followed by the fourth
AGM
Our extremely knowledgeable Vice President Peter Parker in conversation with our Chairman Melvyn Tarran disclosed his 'Magical Moments & Memories' - a sort of Desert Island DVDs with Peter as the castaway - showing us clips of G & S-related film never seen before. He is the son of Stanley Parker, who for over fifty years was Secretary and Treasurer to Rupert D'Oyly Carte and his daughter Dame Bridget, and through his father, Peter was very much a part of that inner circle. He knew many of the famous Savoyards personally, and witnessed many changes and events over many years.
When he left school, it was Peter’s intention to follow a career in stage lighting, however this was not to be and it is expected Peter will enlighten us on why this was not to be; also how it came about that he frequently paddled in the water features of the 1951 Festival of Britain, later how he became ‘lightmonger’.
For his luxury Peter chose Richard D'Oyly Carte's gold watch which was given to his Father by Helen D’Oyly Carte.
1167-086 to 088
This was a fascinating afternoon covering G&S, life with the D’Oyly Cartes through his father and his own eventful career.
1167-126 Peter aged about five
(left to right) His mother, Peter, his father,
J Jennings with his Granddaughter Jeanette Grenfell