This is a day and an occasion that's long overdue!

On behalf of us all, thank you Peter for your vision and dedication that's made our reunion possible. Finding us all was detective work worthy of Sherlock Holmes and Watson! Who were your Watsons, by the way?

So here we are, some 50 or so years later, celebrating and remembering our time at the Palace. Our days at Addington were halcyon and foundational. They were magical and set us all on our life's adventure with a compass that was true.

We have all changed. The Palace has changed and the RSCM has changed. Change is the way of all life. However, our union is timeless and still resides in our hearts. It was formed in our singing together and this is what makes our re-union today so special. We sadly miss Graham Bill, Richard Barnes and others who are most likely playing organs and conducting choirs in that other place. I imagine them sharing tales about their time here under the tutelage of Martin, out beloved choirmaster, friend to us all and our guest of honor.

Let's raise our glasses - To Martin!

Martin, you were our inspired leader and teacher; you are an organist, composer and were rightly honored in 1993 with an MBE for your service to church music. We became your compositions, your cantatas and through you we sang some of the greatest spiritual music ever written. Martin, those notes resounded in our hearts and we were all forever changed.

He was also a fine runner in his day. I recall the times when we ran with Martin through the woods above us here, learning how to breathe and then how to sing. Martin's also a humorist and mimic. I recall one occasion in the practice room when some of us boys were not getting the timing on a Tallis piece. Martin suddenly became an oversized Bavarian contralto attempting some unknown and unsingable aria - and then with a flourish on the lower keys, promptly fell off his stool. We all laughed uncontrollably and then Martin took us back to Tallis with the right result. Sheer genius!

Martin's timing was extraordinary. Do you remember his 'sniff', that half beat and his raised brow just before we began to sing? Reflecting on my experience in the choir, Martin coached out of us that special English choral sound, those blended harmonies, beautifully balanced for us boys and men that showcased the spirit of our church music tradition. When we sang together beyond these walls in high churches and cathedrals, those soaring structures designed to amplify song and soul, it was for me deeply spiritual and transcendent.

These experiences have never left me and I'm sure they have remained deep in your hearts too. We all, of course, have our personal and prized reminiscences of Addington. As I mention these following words, please notice what images and impressions arise in your mind's eye.

* The walk up the driveway in cold Autumn evenings as the leaves fell.
* The snow loading down the cedars propped up from past misadventures.
* Hot tea, buns and sandwiches on arrival in the dining room.
* Soccer on the back lawn.
* Assembling and dressing in the robing room before we proceeded to the chapel, dedicated to St Nicolas.
* Christmas carols at Lady Scotts home in Bishops Walk, with cider for us boys and sherry for the men.
* Summer schools at cathedrals across the land.
* Our 76th Croydon scout troupe. Earning backwoodsmen badges, building climbing frames and camping adventures at Frylands Wood and Gilwell Park.
* And of course, Myrtle!

How many of you remember Myrtle? It was Martin's car - his pride and joy!

Named after the flower that, if human, would wake up slowly, cough a few times, rub its headlights and wait nervously for the turn of the key and then the inevitable lurch forward. Myrtle was an old lady in maroon and black livery. Her well-worn upholstery suffered the incessant indignity of us choirboys tumbling in to her interior all hoping for a ride to somewhere. It was Myrtle who introduced me to the mysteries of driving-aged 13.

On one occasion, Martin drove Graham Bill and myself to West Wittering in Sussex. It was during the Chichester cathedral summer course in 1959. This time is etched in my memory for it was in the shallow tide of West Wittering that I learned to swim. Imagine a sunny summer day, by the beach with a slight breeze in the air. There was Myrtle recovering from her exertions and resting in the car park. Her doors were wide open as I slipped into the drivers seat and held the steering wheel. The keys were in the ignition. Martin and Graham were sitting near by.

"Martin, what's this?". "The clutch" he said casually. "And this?" "Oh, that's the gear stick!"

In a moment when time stood still I turned the key, engaged the gear and Myrtle leapt in to life. With the doors flapping, off we went apace careering across the car park, narrowly missing a small boys and boats. I then heard Martin shout in top C, "Pull on the brake!"

"Where's the brake?"

"It's by the gear stick!" I let go of the wheel, pulled up the hand brake and Myrtle lurched to a sudden stop. I was, of course, triumphant and it took all afternoon for Myrtle to recover. She probably never forgave me but fortunately Martin did!

My reminiscence wouldn't be complete without an anecdote from The 76th. I'd like to read to you some lines of a letter I wrote to Martin on the 18th October 1960.

"I'm happy to say that Coco (Lindsay Colquhoun) has made Michael Martin the troop leader, but my patrol has been struck with misfortune. Comrade Stubbs, who I hope to make my second, has appendicitis. I wrote to him a few days ago but haven't had any reply yet. John Lee has been given a troop name - Jailey - representing J. Lee which, when pronounced, sounds 'Jailey'."

"Brian Woods name is Chopper, but I haven't found the origin of that yet. Now that the seniors are under way, new Patrol Leaders have been elected. Chris Chambers is P.L. of Kestrels, Andrews is P.L. of Panthers and Graham Telfer is P.L. of the Wolves, and Peter Hood is very content to be his second."

No longer of course - Peter you are now our number one!

And then after Martin's response, I wrote back on the 5th November (an excerpt was then read from a 5 Nov 1960 letter).

Martin, on behalf of us all here today and those who couldn't attend, we thank you for teaching us how to sing, how to learn and how to be part of a team, in short, how to be. You are and will always be Mr. How.

Thank you!

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Last updated 2 October 2013