Barrie’s musical marathon for inspirational Ken

LIKE lots of kids at the time, music lessons were a part of life for Barrie Crawford.

It was the 1960s but Barrie, from East Kilbride, found his piano tutoring anything but swinging.

He simply didn’t find it to his taste and his musical interest may have foundered if his mum hadn’t happened to hear of another local tutor called Ken.

Barrie not only loved the music that Ken played but found the way he taught totally inspirational.

It was an inspiration that was to last a lifetime.

Barrie was just 12 when he took that first lesson with Ken and since then he has continued to play at every possible occasion.

Back then he started playing for the Boy’s Brigade and others involved with South Parish Church in the town.

Half a century and more on, he’s still at it.

Barrie, who’s now 65 and just retired earlier this year from a rewarding career as a French and German teacher, continues to provide the music for services at the church.

He’s kept in touch with Ken on and off over the years and knew that his health had taken a turn for the worse.

Ken has motor neurone disease and Barrie was both shocked and distressed on a recent visit to see the toll MND has taken.

Even an attempt to play his beloved electric piano with a single finger was now too much for him. Ken’s wife had recordings of him in his prime, so he still has those musical memories but sadly nothing else.

Realising that MND Scotland is always needing funds to go towards help and research, Barrie decided to do his bit.

And what better way to pay tribute to the man who started it all than a musical marathon?

So, on July 20, Barrie will embark on a 10-hour pianoplaying extravaganza.

He’s called it Ten For Ken and it will take place at South Parish from 9am.

With short, allowable breaks, Barrie reckons he’ll be finished shortly before 8pm.

He has scores of pieces of music looked out, including ones from his time with Ken in the 1960s. And he’s hoping for some congregation sing-alongs, too.

Barrie has set a target of £1500 on his JustGiving page and is well on the way.

He hopes it will be a fitting way of saying thank you for the music.