HAROLD FORSYTH
1907 - 2001
Harold
Forsyth had a life-long love of dialect, and was always keen to promote its use.
He loved to hear it spoken naturally by local folk, and he also loved to perform
it. He set many traditional dialect works to music, and was involved in the
Cummerlan' Neets which were held in Carlisle during the middle years of last
century, taking a regular part in the programmes of readings and songs.
Harold first became a member of the Lakeland Dialect Society in 1946, and was soon elected to the committee. In 1985, he was created a Vice President, a position in which he delighted, and in 1989, the Lakeland Dialect Society's Golden Jubilee year, Harold became our much loved and respected President.
At meetings, he would reach into his inside pocket, and produce one of his wonderful tales, and, with a twinkle in his eye, read this to the members. His writings are legendary; some of you may have heard examples read by him on Radio Cumbria. He could deliver the most hilarious tale without a hint of a chuckle, and it took a great deal of restraint on the part of the listener not to drown the punch line with premature
laughter! I speak not only for myself, but also for the Society as a whole when I say that it has been a great privilege to know Harold Forsyth, and he will long be remembered by us all with great affection.
Jean Scott-Smith