In July 1969 Brian had seen, in our local Norwood News, an article l had written about our Crystal Palace Triangle. Our local council was letting it slip into disrepair…l had a scheme to revive it with the creation of Family Arts Centre. This imaginative idea attracted the interest of many local people including the artist and graphic designer Mike Conrad and Brian Dann -poet! Over the years so many people gave so much of their time and talents to the Crystal Palace Community Association, which we created, but Brian and Mike were among the outstanding founder members – so many talents and such patience and kindness to me and with me!
Mike produced designs for countless events and Brian created living poetry for and at all our events. I think his poetry burgeoned among all the activities he was involved with – children’s events, poetry readings, Poetry Triangle, The Triangle Literary Supplement and compering the memorable Kaleidoscope Evenings (many CPCA members will treasure memories of these).
I know he juggled many more poetry events and had a following of many young and not so young poets. He and Joyce hosted many poetry evenings in their home – the poetry encouraged by Joyce’s delicious refreshments.
A very long way back his first involvement was in one of our very first CPCA events – a ‘Child refs’ Playday’ (organized in the old Nissen huts behind what is now the super market). Brian brought his two very small children, Bunty and Nigel, and stayed all day to help!
Brian had so many interests and was so interesting – I wish l had been able to go to his University of the Third Age classes! He was so patient and so good at explaining things!
When he, Mike and l spent over 4 years making our Crystal Palace – Norwood Heights book (an incredible success) l couldn’t have had kinder, more patient and inspiring people to work with (that they put up with me was something of a miracle!). And I treasure the little books of poetry he gave me. Mike and l didn’t see much of him after he moved to Seaford (we both had work, and large families to cope with but we always felt he was ‘ one of us’.
Martin and l send our deepest sympathies to Bunty and Nigel and their families.
Audrey Hammond – President and Trustee, Crystal Palace Community Association.