On September 30, members of the St Peter's Band, The Saints and Ipswich Hospital Band will play their instruments in tribute to a man who was as passionate about music as he was about helping others – and who was playing his clarinet until the very end.
Bernard Westren was, said his wife of almost 50 years, Christine, “an Ipswich boy through and through”.
Even though he had lived and taught overseas for many years, Bernard always remained wistful for life in Ipswich, and it was this which ultimately brought him home.
Bernard was born in Belstead Avenue on April 19, 1948, the youngest of three sons born to Clive and Connie Westren. Tragically, Bernard’s mother died when he was just four years old.
The family rallied around Bernard’s father, and the boys spent much time with their grandparents and various aunts and uncles. Even so, it was a difficult time.
Bernard went to school first at St Matthew’s School, and then at Tower Ramparts. He decided to take a year out of school before accepting a place at North East London Polytechnic.
He worked many jobs during this time, including down at the docks and as a delivery driver for the East Anglian Daily Times, delivering the Green ‘Un all over Suffolk.
Bernard always had an ear for music, having had piano lessons as a child. Listening to the radio one day, he became entranced by the piece Stranger on the Shore by Acker Bilk. Determined to play it for himself, Bernard ordered a clarinet and saxophone from a mail order catalogue, and taught himself to play both instruments. He later taught himself to play the flute, too.
In 1968, Bernard and Christine met for the very first time at a wedding. Bernard’s older brother, Colin, had married Christine’s mother’s first cousin.
“I was the chief bridesmaid, and Bernard was the best man,” laughed Christine.
However, their relationship did not begin until two years later. Christine had just finished school and was looking at university courses, and Bernard was only too happy to offer his advice.
They tied the knot on August 25, 1973.
Once he had finished his sociology degree, Bernard studied at De Montfort University in Leicester, where he qualified as a teacher.
After their marriage, Bernard and Christine joined the Voluntary Overseas Service, and were posted to Papua New Guinea.
They relished this challenge, and between them taught a whole range of humanities subjects, from English to social scientists.
When Christine fell pregnant with their first son, Paul, the couple transferred to a government contract, and were relocated to a school in the depths of the Eastern Highlands, 30 miles away from the nearest town.
Bernard was appointed headmaster and had the difficult task of setting the school up entirely from scratch.
“He felt that education should be for the whole community,” said Christine.
She and Bernard arrived back in Ipswich after five years, and soon welcomed their second son, James.
Bernard continued to teach at schools around Suffolk, including Stoke High, Thurleston and Northgate.
It was then that Bernard returned to his love of music. He joined the newly created Ipswich Hospital Band, and together with his friend and the band’s founder, Vic Lowne, helped to set up St Peter’s by the Waterfront as the band’s permanent home.
“He was so passionate about music, and also education,” said Christine.
Since Bernard’s death, condolences from former pupils have been pouring in.
“Everyone has been saying how kind he was, how supportive,” continued Christine. “He was a good all-rounder, and very generous with his time.”
Bernard died after a short illness on November 29, 2022. He is survived by Christine, their two sons, and one grandchild.
In August, just three months before his death, he and Christine had travelled to Belgium with the hospital band.
In tribute to those who died during the First World War, Bernard joined the band in playing ‘Forgotten Dreams’ at the Menin Gate on his clarinet.
Earlier in the day, he had performed his own solo in Grote Market – ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’.
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