IF Mere had a ‘national treasure’ it would surely be Adrienne Howell, who died on 13th January, aged 87. She was an active part of life in Mere for so many years that it is hard to imagine the town without her.
Adrienne was the founder or driving force of many organisations that continue to be central to life in Mere. A retired teacher, remembered with real affection by many former pupils, she founded Mere Manor Brass with her husband Bernard, more than 50 years ago.
Her dedication to music and the community was recognised in the 2019 New Year’s Honours with the award of the BEM, which she received, accompanied by her niece Julia Woods, at Buckingham Palace.
Adrienne and her late husband (Bernard died in 2014) were both Life Vice Presidents of the Wessex Brass Band Association. John Woods, the chairman of WBBA, said her commitment and dedication to banding had benefitted many thousands of players and bands in the region.
In 1997, Adrienne founded the Mere Literary Festival. It began as a fundraiser for the Mere & District Link Scheme, a volunteer-run service which helps people in Mere and surrounding communities to get to their medical appointments, shops and social events.
The literary festival established itself quickly and grew into an eagerly-anticipated annual celebration, with author talks, writing workshops, the Pennybank Writers, children’s events, and short story and poetry competitions which attracted entries not only from across the country but from as far as France and South Africa.
The festival became known for its warm hospitality, welcoming atmosphere and generous helpings of cake! Adrienne ran it with dedication and vision for 22 years, stepping down after the 2018 festival. By then the festival had raised tens of thousands of pounds for Mere Link.
New festival director Ashley Gray says: ‘Adrienne was a remarkable woman who cared deeply for the town of Mere and the community around her. She set a high standard, and we will continue to uphold the spirit she so thoughtfully established.’
As well as the band, Mere Link and the literary festival, her other community involvements included the Pennybank Writers, Mere Rivers Group and Mere Amateur Dramatic Society (MADS)
A keen eye for detail
Adrienne was the longest standing member of MADS, having been part of it for most of its 80 years and she will be greatly missed, says Mary White, ‘not only for her knowledge of the society and its productions but for her energy, support and encouragement.’
As well as acting in plays, Adrienne also directed, ‘with a keen eye for detail!’ – most notably perhaps in the spring production in 2010 of Alan Poole’s Bottom’s Dream, a fantasy based on Shakespeare’s Dream, which she brought to life beautifully. Her final appearance on stage was in 2016 in Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime by Constance Cox, from a short story by Oscar Wilde.
She had been prompting, Mary recalls, ‘but when a member of the cast was taken ill on the first night, Adrienne stepped in – stitched into her costume and with a covered script, she used her knowledge and experience to be the perfect understudy!’
She was supportive and encouraging to new members and young people in MADS productions, ‘thus helping to maintain the long tradition of live theatre in Mere.’
At times she also sometimes involved MADS in the literary festival and in other local events. She chaired MADS for some years, ‘always involved in its activities, but when her stage days were behind her, she was always happy to help with line rehearsal, front of house or refreshments.’
Perhaps less well-known than her countless community and cultural activities, Adrienne wrote short stories and a selection was published in The Fox’s Lament. She also wrote one-act plays which MADS successfully produced over the years, both at home and in One Act Play Festivals where they won many awards, including Best Play and Best Original Script, as well as awards for actors, costumes and sets.
Mary says: ‘MADS owes Adrienne so much, and over the coming years we look forward to honouring her memory and celebrating her life with new productions of her plays.’
Loved by many and revered for her huge contribution to the life of Mere and its people, and her work as an educator, Adrienne passed away peacefully at home following a short illness on 13th January, aged 87. She is survived by her nephew Nicholas Howell and niece Julia Woods.
The funeral will take place on Thursday 19th February at 1pm St Michael’s Church in Mere. Local band representatives will provide the music in the service.
Fanny Charles
