Keith I am not sure if there is a connection but this is from my Key Hill Cemetery folder. The photo and information was handed to the Pen Room about 5years ago by I believe Marjorie's grandsons who worked in the JQ at the time. The music connection caught my eye
Here is the inscription from the grave since my photo was taken the 'friends' have had the memorial refurbished.
Erected by his wife and daughter in loving memory of Alfred Francis Astbury who passed on February 7th 1933. There is no death. Also Marjorie L. Clay beloved wife of Leslie and only daughter of the above who passed on June 26th 1942 aged 37.
In The50s I also took Saxaphone lessons in the same rooms over the Yardleys shop. I remember the noise of all the instruments, Happy days, John Crump OldBrit Parker. Co USARe George Clay.
I took piano accordion lessons at his music school in the early 50s, at that time he had some rooms over a music shop called Yardleys, if my memory is correct this was in Constitution Hill ( the road that ran parallel with Snow Hill,) my teacher was a lovely young lady named Pamela Deakin sadly no longer with us.
She became ranked No 8 in the world and used to appear on radio programmes such as workers playtime,I often was tutored by George himself, I believe he had worked at the Birmid factory prior to this.
After the Yardleys school he took some space in Broad Street I think alongside a Motor dealer but I may be wrong about this, I went to several accordion events with his school some in London and one I remember well was in Coventry where I was fortunate enough to win the under 16 solo section of a competition, I still have the little cup and cherish it fondly.
My first (grown up) accordion was a Goudini italian 120 base, which George demonstrated to my father who was paying for it, I have lots and lots of happy memories of the George Clay musc school, it was after this that I remember him opening his music shop in Broad Street.
I am now 69 but love the memories, I hope someone finds this of interest.
Does anyone have any information of a music company called George Clay, Music Centre, Broad Street, Birmingham? Mabz
Re George Clay.
I took piano accordion lessons at his music school in the early 50s, at that time he had some rooms over a music shop called Yardleys, if my memory is correct this was in Constitution Hill ( the road that ran parallel with Snow Hill,) my teacher was a lovely young lady named Pamela Deakin sadly no longer with us.
She became ranked No 8 in the world and used to appear on radio programmes such as workers playtime,I often was tutored by George himself, I believe he had worked at the Birmid factory prior to this.
After the Yardleys school he took some space in Broad Street I think alongside a Motor dealer but I may be wrong about this, I went to several accordion events with his school some in London and one I remember well was in Coventry where I was fortunate enough to win the under 16 solo section of a competition, I still have the little cup and cherish it fondly.
My first (grown up) accordion was a Goudini italian 120 base, which George demonstrated to my father who was paying for it, I have lots and lots of happy memories of the George Clay musc school, it was after this that I remember him opening his music shop in Broad Street.
I am now 69 but love the memories, I hope someone finds this of interest.