On 13th January the Bunyan Fellowship Church, Elstow was packed with family and friends to honour Fred Bentham who passed away suddenly at home on 5th January, aged 86.

Moving service

Key to the moving service at which anecdotal stories of Fred were told was a band made up of players from Gadsden and Bedford Town, of which he had been an ever present member.

For many of his 40 years of membership of Bedford, Fred had provided an elder’s role in the band. Many have looked to him as a grandfather figure, never cross, always kind.

He was so well liked and will be sadly missed. He always had a twinkle in his eye and gave everyone an encouraging thumbs upGadsen players

Proud

He was extremely proud of his involvement, which has seen him awarded numerous ‘Bandsman of the Year’ titles as well as playing an integral role in raising the most money on the band’s regular sponsored blows. He diligently carried out his role of Librarian and Committee member over many years.

Fred particularly enjoyed marches and music from the shows. It was fitting therefore that his Memorial Service should include the march ‘Slaidburn’, which Fred himself had performed in the same building way back in 1971, ‘Edelweiss’, and the final tribute, ‘We’ll Meet Again’,

Sadly missed

The feelings of the assembled congregation were summed up by Gadsden players Sally-Ann and Andrea. "He was so well liked and will be sadly missed. He always had a twinkle in his eye and gave everyone an encouraging thumbs up."