IT WAS a full house at the AGM when members heard about the life of the busker, Eric Newton.

He captivated his audience by recounting his amazing life story, interspersed with musical numbers on the clarinet.

He was inspired by the jazz music of the Ceramic City Stompers when he was 16-years-old and was fortunate enough to have been bought a clarinet by his grandfather.

He did many different and varied jobs but his passion was playing the clarinet which he learnt to play by ear.

He joined the Stompers and played at gigs.

He managed to gain a place at the Royal Northern College of Music despite not reading music at that stage.

He qualified, but it was not always easy to make a living and life was a struggle.

One day he phoned some random numbers using the new STD code system and got through to a man in Melbourne, Australia.

The conversation was to change his life and led to a lifelong friendship.

After a few years of corresponding by letter and phone, Eric saved enough money to fly out to stay with his friend and his family.

He stayed for six months and busked while he was there.

He has spent every winter since then busking in Australia.

The talk passed by in a flash, members would have liked to hear more of Eric’s life story but it was time for refreshments.

Eric was thanked by Veronica Oliver.

Rosemary Mullett