Derek William Cooke (31 Oct 1925 - 19 Aug 2016)

In loving memory of Derek William Cooke who sadly passed away on 19th August 2016

Our Dad
On the 31st October 1925 in Bulwell, a son of Nottingham was born to William and Gertrude Cooke. He was our Dad. In later years Grandma & Grandad Cooke owned a Beer-off on St Anns Well Road at the bottom of Norland Road known as Cook’s Beer-off. I spent many times in the shop as folks came in with their jugs wanting a pint or two of beer on tap.
For his secondary education he went to Morley School. As well as the normal academic subjects, one of the subjects that was taught to boys in those days was Cookery and the girls learned woodwork.
He was a member of the boy’s brigade where he learned to read music and play the drums. He then went on to join local dance bands . Some of his gigs were at the Sherwood Rooms (now Oceana), the Victoria Ballroom (now Gala Bingo) The Nottingham Palais and many other venues throughout the City.
He was called up like many other young men to serve in the Army and travelled through Europe as a driver transporting troops and supplies. Some of the places he travelled through during those years were Belgium, Germany, Portugal, Capri, Naples, Gibralter, Palestine, Cairo Egypt where in 1946 after the war had ended requested a transfer to CSE which was Combined Services Entertainment where he played for Royalty to King Farouk, the King of Egypt at the time.
He returned home after the war and restarted his music career around Nottingham.
In the early 50’s he was a member of the Wylie Price Orchestra at the Nottingham Palias under the management of a Mr Winship. They did six nights, and two matinees on a Wednesday and Saturday afternoon some included doing live broadcasts for the BBC Home programme.
He also travelled with bands in the UK. One of the venues was playing with the Billy Merrin Band at Seaburn Hall Sunderland, where he met our Mum and in 1949 I was born.
In the Summer Season the three of us would go to Herne Bay in Kent with the Wylie Price Orchestra and he would do two shows a day except Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, when the Children’s entertainer was on, that was the time we spent on the beach with the other members of the band and their families. We lived in digs as they called them, on the seafront run by a lady with rolled down stockings called Mrs Cleek.
These summer seasons went on till my Brother Kevin was born nearly seven years later. I think he was about a year old when we were last there as it was becoming difficult to tour with two young children. So he joined other bands back in Nottingham.
We had some lovely Summer Holidays Kev and I up in Sunderland. To visit our Little Nan (Mum’s mum) along with Aunts, Uncles and cousins and the whole family going to Seaburn, the local beach for the day.
We also spent a holiday in Newquay, where one day the tide had washed up some black tar like substance which we all got our feet covered with and from then on we called ourselves the Black Foot Tribe. We did laugh that day.
During the day time Dad worked at jobs including warehouse work, but that was just because he had to, to bring extra money in. His night time banding was the love of his life.
There are some words from a song which are relevant to Dad and his Music, they are :
“Music is my first love and it will be my Last.
Music of the future, and Music of the past.
To live without my music is impossible to do
And in this world of trouble, my music sees me through.
At this time we lived at Bullace Road in St Anne’s.
During this time in 1961 our little sister Debra was born about seven years after Keven was born I keep thinking there is a pattern there somehow. The seven year itch comes to mind.
I can’t remember the date but in the 60’s he joined the Malcolm Allen Band at the Commodore Banqueting Suite in Aspley (now Sainsbury’s). He was there for around 17 years.
He still carried on playing at the Commodore until after 17 years a new bandleader came on the scene and he left.
He got a job with and organist and played at the Netherfield Working Men’s Club. I suppose it could be thought of as a bit of a come down, after playing at prestige venues in his time, but so long as Dad could play he was happy.
As the years went on Music stated to change and the dance halls became discos.
Dad taught Kev to play the drums and read music or pips as they were called in Drummer’s language. He also followed in Dad’s footsteps and toured Europe in bands, eventually landing up in America where he lives today. The landing bit is a bit of a pun as he is now an Air-line Pilot in America.
The unfortunate bit about this is that Debs and I can’t play any musical instrument and if asked to hold a tune well that won’t happen.
Dad loved DIY and as children he made most of our toys out of wood. He helped me with lots of my own building projects over the years. He made most of the furniture at our family home at Bullace Road and also in his final home in Kirkby in Ashfield which he shared with his partner of 18 years Muriel.
As a child I spent many hours with Dad in the garage at Bullace road watching him do his DIY, In later years in fun we named him Billy Bodgitt
His love of Cooking from early days at school where he learned his skills were obvious in the library of Cookery books he owned. You could always be assured of a good Sunday Lunch when you went round including some gorgeous puddings.

This chapter has ended but the book carries on.
He has three children, Me, Kevin and Debra, Five Grandchildren Michaela, Rachel, James, Jade, Kyle who sadly passed away 10 years ago and Taylor. Nine Great Grandchildren Rhiannon, Tierney, Beth, Harry, Erin, May, Fleur, Zac and Max and one Great Great-Granddaughter, Matilda, so the book has lots more chapters to go.

We love you Dad you will be forever in our hearts.