MR Ted Povey, who was a member of one of Newbury's most established families, died on Saturday at the age of 98. As well as being a partner of Povey and Wade, the piano tuners and church organ menders, Mr Povey was also an accomplished golfer.

He was born at Woodspeen, one of 12 children, and his father Frederick Povey was a solicitor with the firm that is now known as Louch Belcher. The children attended the local school at Speen, and in 1900 the family moved to The Myrtles which was on the site that is now the Robin Hood roundabout.

After leaving school Mr Povey joined the auctioneering firm of Neates as an articled clerk, but later joined Alfonse Carey in Newbury, where he learnt the art of piano warehousing. He spent a number of years with the firm, and one of the highlights was when members of the public would turn up with a shilling and ask for a recording to be made of their favourite song.

The recordings were made on wax cylinders and Mr Carey used to sing, Russell Wade would play the piano and Mr Povey would turn the handle of the recorder. The firm was a branch of a London company of sheet music producers. Mr Povey then left to work for a Reading firm where he also learnt organ mending.

During the First World War he served with the Service Corps. He became Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant Major at Bulford camp, and spent the rest of the war years in Italy. Afterwards Mr Povey returned to Newbury where he set up in business with his former colleague Russell Wade.

They established their piano tuning and church organ mending business Povey and Wade at St. Mary's Hill, Cheap street. They spent many years there, but after Mr Wade died Mr Povey sold the business to his head man "Pip" Piper about 20 years ago. During the Second World War Mr Povey served with the Home Guard.

He was also an active golfer and had been playing since about 1910. He was a member of Newbury and Crookham Golf Club and at one time was its Captain. He won many cups and it was only failing eyesight that made him give up the game about 20 years ago.

Another of his sporting interests was billiards. He used to play at the Guildhall Club which was frequented by local businessmen, and organised many charity matches at the Conservative Club and other venues. Mr Povey also enjoyed watching football and would often travel to Reading or Swindon for matches.

During his retirement he enjoyed driving in the countryside, and when his eyesight became too bad he was taken out in a car by friends. Mr Povey, who was not married, lived at his family home Southcote, Shaw, with his nephew and family. He had enjoyed good health, but never really recovered from a recent operation. He died in Newbury Hospital.