Tribute- Arthur Shaft President

The WOS concert to be held at St Ambrose Church Westbourne
on November 26th at 7.30 pm
is to be dedicated to the memory of Arthur Shaft

Violinist, conductor, teacher, headmaster of the Corfe Mullen Lockyers School, engineer, draughtsman, husband, the family man known as Bob, member of the Westbourne Orchestra for over 50 years, founder and conductor of the Corfe Mullen Orchestra, much loved and respected mentor and friend.

Arthur Shaft was born of English parents in Russia in 1911. The family was forced to return to England at the time of the revolution in 1917 and he found himself at school in London with hardly any knowledge of English at all.

Arthur studied engineering and on leaving school applied for a position as trainee draughtsman with British Rail but illness prevented him taking up the opportunity. He then decided to train as a schoolteacher in Shoreditch and successfully applied for a teaching job in Broadstone later to become a headmaster of Lockyers School. It was in the early 50s that he joined the Westbourne Orchestra and soon became a very active member of the Committee serving many years as chairman. He played in the first violin section right up to and including the three Summer concerts held in June 2004.

In 1980 Arthur was appointed President of the Society and in the ensuing years his wisdom, encouragement and enthusiasm has been of great benefit to all members.

For lesser men that should have been enough but it was insufficient for him as some time ago he founded and conducted the Corfe Mullen Orchestra as well.

Arthur and Margo set out on a world tour on January 5th 2003 (his birthday) but unfortunately he contracted a virus whilst on board the Saga Rose as it approached Peru that left him rather weak. However, he quickly recovered and enjoyed the visit to Malcolm and Helen in New Zealand, which was the main object of the trip. Furthermore, on his return to England he was soon back in harness with the 1st violins and there was no stopping these young at heart adventurers who went off on a holiday in the South of France for two weeks in April this year.

To illustrate his total involvement with the orchestra I wrote to Arthur on the 16th October asking for his approval and advice on a certain matter relating to the organisation of the orchestra.

Music was his passion and his current diary contained many reservation dates for forthcoming operas and concerts in Poole and Bournemouth.

It is typical of Arthur that having visited the Lighthouse Theatre with his wife also on the afternoon of the 16th and returning home by bus to his flat in Poole there was no indication of his imminent demise.

He expressed the wish to die in his home, not in hospital, and achieved another ambition by doing so very peacefully in his sleep at 8 am on Sunday 17th October leaving Margo his wife of 62 years and his son Malcolm, Helen and Laura, who are in New Zealand and Jennie and Rob who live in Brixham.

Arthur and Margo had a daughter Maureen also a headmistress who unfortunately died of diabetes in 1989.

He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends as well as all members of the Westbourne and Corfe Mullen Orchestras.

The funeral is to take place at Poole Crematorium on Monday 25th at 10.30 am followed by a reception at Grace Darling House.  

Margo has requested family flowers only. Donations will be given to a charity to be named by the family.  

Arthur Shaft
born 5th January 1911
died 17th October 2004   

Tribute to Bob (Arthur) on the occasion of his 80th birthday (5th January 1991) by his son Malcolm