Tributes paid to much-loved Morecambe Brass Band musician

Friday, 24 January 2025 11:22

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

Tributes have been paid to a Morecambe Brass Band musician who was much loved for her "enthusiasm, welcoming and friendly nature, and belief in what was good and right".

Jennifer Lawton died, aged 53, in December after a short illness.

Jennifer was a baritone player with the Senior Band and was also a long-serving officer with Lancaster City Council.

A Morecambe Brass Band Association spokesperson said they had "very sadly lost one of our cherished players".

"Jennifer Patricia Lawton was a much loved baritone, played with the Senior Band and latterly our Community Band, where her enthusiasm, her very welcoming and friendly nature, her kindness, her braveness, her belief in what was good and right and her honest values were greatly admired and loved.

"She was always true to herself and her beliefs and has left us all with a wonderful example and legacy.

"Our bands and our association feel blessed to have had Jennifer in our music and in our lives.

"She will be greatly missed and we will carry forward her kindness and shining example, in her memory."

Andrew Porter, musical director of Morecambe Band, posted his own tribute to Jennifer.

"I personally will miss her welcoming nature, how she treated everyone as equal and her enthusiasm for young people playing music and the Salvation Army," he said.

A minute's silence was held in memory of Jennifer, a former Morecambe High School pupil, at the Lancaster City Council meeting at Morecambe Town Hall on Wednesday.

She worked for the council revenue and benefits service for 34 years.

"Jenny was a very popular member of staff and will be missed by the many who knew her," said Councillor Hamish Mills, deputy mayor of Lancaster.

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