MUSIC WAS HIS LIFE

Death of Mr. Russell Wade

Newbury lost a well-known resident, former businessman and musician in the death on Monday of Mr. Russell Wade at his home, High Bank, Benham Hill, at the age of 81.

Mr. Wade was born in Newbury and when he left school was first apprenticed to a grocer, Fielder's, on the Bridge where Toomer's shop now stands. He was always interested in music and became a pupil of the late Mr. J.S. Liddle, organist at Newbury parish church. Mr. Wade later played the organ as Mr. Liddle's assistant and was also organist at several churches including Beenham, Greenham, Speen, St. Mary's London Road, and in later years at St. John's, Newbury.

It was hardly surprising that Mr. Wade left the grocery trade and went to work at Alphonse Cary's music shop in Northbrook Street as a clerk with Mr. Oswald Cary.

In 1921 he went into partnership with Mr. Ted Povey to establish the well known business and music shop of Povey and Wade in Cheap Street. The shop was always a rendezvous for musical people and a number of organists used to congregate there in the morning to discuss music.

Music was Mr. Wade's life - played the double bass with the N.A.O.U. and was a fine pianist always in demand for concert parties, smoking concerts and dances at some of the big houses in the district.

As well as a talented practical musician, Mr. Wade was also a theorist and a teacher at one time.

A Freemason, he was organist for the Victory Lodge for some years.

Mr. Povey retired with Mr. Povey in 1955 when the business was sold, Mr. E.L. Piper, who had been with the firm since 1927, taking over as managing director. Mr. Povey now lives at Southcote, Shaw, and had been to see his old friend only a few days before he died.

Mr. Wade's wife died some years ago and he had been in failing health since her death. He leaves a daughter who is a Nun at the Carmelite College, Norfolk.

Cremation takes place at Oxford today.