I had found an old black and white photo taken in 1951 by my late husband. It was a photo of the cottage where Mary Ann had lived and died. My father had taken us to see it in Carn Brea, Redruth. I decided to try to find out more about Mary Ann’s life. I sent an e-mail to the vicar of Illogan church and attached a copy of the photo. He e-mailed me back a day or two later with a colour photo of the cottage as it is today. I then e-mailed the Archivist at Redruth and she found a Mary Ann Maddern living in Carn Brea in 1930 - I knew Mary died about 1931. Members of The Cornwall genealogy group were very good and Maurice a very helpful member of the group promised to go to the Library to look for Mary Ann Maddern. He looked up several leads before we decided it must be MARY ANN MADDERN. He found her obituary for the year 1931 in the local paper and who should be on the list of mourners but my father ERNEST NICHOLSON and grandfather JAMES NICHOLSON also my Aunt HETTIE THOMPSON and Aunt ANNIE NICHOLSON. We had solved the mystery of Mary Ann.

Mary Ann bequeathed a miniature harmonium to the family and it was given to Uncle Arthur my father’s brother as he was the most musical in the family. I have since received a letter from Ephraim Hodkinson one of Uncle Arthur’s pupils and in it he gives a glowing account of Arthur.

My memories of Uncle ARTHUR NICHOLSON started after we moved to Downall Green Road when I was about four years old in 1934. We lived at 243, Auntie Hettie Thompson lived at 237, Arthur and Pa (my grandfather) at 235 and Auntie Jinnie Gorner at 233. Uncle Arthur was well known locally taught many children to play the piano. Roy and I had lessons but Roy had played tunes since he was two years old sitting on Arthur’s knee. Frank and Leonard Gorner were also taught music by Uncle Arthur but they preferred boogie-woogie or whatever it was called I suppose you would say they were Jazz fans.

Roy, myself and Uncle Arthur would play together and I would play the left hand because it was easier. Uncle Arthur played on one piano and Roy and myself on the other. I loved those days when we did things like that.

I have since received a letter form Ephraim Hodkinson one of Uncle Arthur’s star pupils and in it he gives a glowing account of Arthur who was his idol. The following is his tribute to Arthur:-

“I think of Arthur every week. He was my mentor I used to come home from church with him sit next to him, watch him. I had lessons for nine years with him he was a wonderful musician. Brilliant at sightreading he could accompany singers without rehearsal. His touch on the keys was different. He just got that extra out of classics, popular songs of the day he was just brilliant. He and Arthur Unsworth(violin) were in great demand in people’s homes and at functions, including playing for Lord Crawford at Haigh Hall. They could entertain for hours from memory. Arthur had two pianos - A bechstein Model 8 and a Bluthner. I don’t think I have exaggerated his ability. I have two degrees thanks to Arthur A.L.C.M and LLCM. Arthur also had both. Arthur has a daughter Janet who is following in his footsteps and has gained LTCL for Clarinet and now teaches Clarinet and Piano”

Janet now teaches Clarinet, saxophone, flute and piano. Janet is married to Stephen Hoare and their daughter Bryony plays the flute and has won several ice dancing competitions

My father Ernest Nicholson had lessons at the same time as Arthur and friends and family thought he was the better of the two when they started but Dad didn’t take any exams just enjoyed playing the organ and piano at home for the family and friends. My daughter Catherine plays the violin and in 1972 was playing with the Merseyside Youth Orchestra when Simon Rattle was Percussionist. They went to Switzerland to play with Orchestra’s from all over the world and also played at the Empire Theatre when the Queen visited to see the talent of Merseyside.

Arthur was Organist at Bryn Independent Church for 60 years and when he died in 1975 Ephraim took over and Ephraim and Alice Hodkinson regularly attend The Church.

If anyone has any memories of my family please get in touch I would love to hear from you. I have a photograph including Bert Hardacre and Tony Bell where are you now?