Charity night to fund headstone for singer

BEN LEE RIVERS. . . popular in the local pubs

THE family of a much-loved musician who died last year are holding a charity music night to raise funds for a commemorative headstone.

The family of Bernard Travise, known to many as Ben Lee Rivers, will host a benefit day at St Paul's Conservative Club, Hathershaw, on August 28 from 1pm- 6.30pm to raise money for the headstone.

It will feature live music from the country and western group Country Kattin, Morgan Fletcher and Andy Lee, as well as a homemade cake stall, sandwiches, raffles, tombola and a country and western-themed fancy dress competition for children.

Well known on the Oldham music scene, Ben created the first country and western club in Oldham - The Grand Canyon - and managed to raised more than £1million for charities. As well as being a musician he was a devoted family man with three children, Debbie, Paul and Angie, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, the youngest of whom is Oscar Ben-Lee.

He took inspiration from Jim Reeve and Johnny Cash and, during the course of his professional singing career, toured Norway, Switzerland, Australia, the Shetland islands, Malta and Cornwall, as well as playing numerous Oldham pubs and clubs.

Clubs

Ben released several LPs and EPs including "Canyons of Time", "Live at Clittaford Club" and "Sunshine on the Snow". On retiring at 61, Ben took enjoyment in playing for care and nursery homes, as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Debbie Cheetham, Ben's daughter, said: "Growing up with a musician as a father didn't seem any different from other people's childhoods as it was the norm for us. We always enjoyed going to see him and I have fond memories of him setting up all his gear in the front room and practising.

"I vividly remember dad losing a lot of bookings because of the miners' strikes. Lots of working men's clubs just shut down but he soon bounced back and it wasn't long before his diary was full again.

"Dad and I used to do our own rendition of Nat King Cole's 'Rambling Rose'. Dad would sing and I would back him up but I would sing out of key. When we first started doing it it brought the house down and it soon became a great favourite with family, friends and fans alike.

"From then I was always his rambling rose."

As part of his charity work he helped Royal Oldham Hospital, Booth Hall Children's Hospital, the Oldham Hospice Appeal and Dr Kershaw's Hospice.

Tickets cost £5 each, with children going free. Email deborahcheetham@outlook.com or buy them from Scoot 'n' Boots, on Yorkshire Street.