On Sunday 11th October, ’09 Crawley Happy Times were honoured to visit the Wingspan in Crawley to join in the celebration of Viv Cooper’s life.
If you thought it would have been a solomn event, how wrong you would be. The music was consistent and the visitors sat reminiscent of Viv and how wonderful a person he was.
It seemed like Viv Cooper, who sadly lost his fight againt leukaemia at the age of 49, may have left a larger legacy than he could ever have imagined. His friends and family class Viv as a ‘legend’ which anyone would have trouble disputing.
Faye Morgan belting it out for Viv
Another great session
We spoke to various people during the days event and this is what they had to say.
Margaret, Viv’s sister told us how she wanted to thank everyone for being so supportive and how grateful they are for all the events before and after Viv’s passing. Margaret said “so many people turned up to the funeral, it was very humbling. It made us feel very proud and we felt he had a left a great legacy”.
Danny Martin (aka Danny Dangerously) said “I jammed today with two of the bands and have had a lovely time. It’s all about Viv and his memory. Viv was always encouraging to any new talent on the scene. Always thought out of the box musically”.
Dan Walton told us “I used to run the Apple Tree and Viv would come down every week. Viv even held his own Jazz & World music night. Viv was such a lovely guy. Always brightened my evening, a true performer. He would have been proud of today and of his children”.
Talent galore, just kept coming
Even the young ones were glued to the performers
Speaking of Viv’s children, Dave, Viv’s brother told us Viv would have been so proud to see his son, Reece played the drums and his eldest daughter, Antonia sing with her friend Dani. Dave went on to say “the day has gone very well and I am impressed with the turn out. Dan Giles played some lovely blues and Viv would have been ‘chuffed to punch’ with the whole event. Viv was a great bloke, a great Dad and a great Uncle”. Margaret, Viv’s sister piped up at that moment pointing out that Viv’s jokes were the worst she had ever heard and crowned him ‘the king of bad jokes’.
Spencer Blackledge said in short “fantastic! Viv was a great guy. I am honoured to play here today”.
Malcolm Page & Dan 'Dangerously' Martin
Jo and her fantastic staff from the Wingspan
Faye
Morgan who is a local singer told us “it’s a worthy cause, I am really happy to be here. Hopefully we can make some money for the family”.
The Wingspan donated the venue free of charge. Jo Apps, the Manager told us “we are very glad to be the hosts for this event. We let it out free as it is for a good cause and hopefully the money will go to covering the funeral costs which the family had to pay for originally”.
Personally I don’t think I actually got to meet Viv, although I get the feeling our paths surely crossed at some time. What I can say is, the day was amazing! There was such a positive, cheerful vibe about the event, it almost felt like a birthday celebration rather than the alternative. If this is what the event organisers were looking to achieve, I would like to tell them, they did! Big time! What a day, what a man, what a legend :-)
For more infomation on the Wingspan and what it has to offer please visit here…
Jo told me membership costs £38.70pp and a family ticket (2 adults, 2 children U18) costs just £45.00 and we can personally recommend the food, yum yum 
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