Flook, Harold

Arranger & Composer

b Willesden, NW London 1909, d S Cornwall 2001. Brought up at Willesden Green Baptist Ch, he attended University College Sch in Hampstead from 1920, and the Univ of London (BSc Chemistry). After teaching briefly at Westminster Sch he returned to UCS as senior Science master; generations of boys remembered his unique chemistry lessons ‘with glee and appreciation.’ He also led the popular ‘Parents and Boys Choral Society’, while living then at Chorleywood Common where his specialist gardening skills (his ‘scientific experiments’) were recognised locally. In wartime he led the music at St Peter’s Vere St, London W1, and following its rebuilding after war damage he moved to the next-door church of All Souls Langham Place, where he was content to serve as Hon Asst Organist for the next (nearly) 50 years. While there he helped to pioneer Psalm Praise (1973) and HTC (1982); to the former he contributed musically, though his name does not appear in the book. He is also remembered for his sense of humour, and his indomitable mountaineering exploits with the Swiss Alpine Club. In 1993 he retired and with his brother Laurie (like Harold, a single man) moved to Portscatho, nr St Mawes on the Roseland peninsular of S Cornwall. He was buried at the nearby Gerrans Church. More than 250 friends attended his memorial service in London. No.85*=185*.