Maureen Crisp: A Tribute

Abstract

This tribute was originally delivered at Maureen Crisp's funeral service at Hucknall Church on 4 August 2008. In the past two and a half years we have witnessed the deaths of three of the most important ladies connected with the Byron scene since the Byron Society was re-founded on 22 January 1971. Elma Dangerfield died in 2006, Lucy Edwards in 2007 - both having lived to a great age. They laid the foundation of the organisation we have today. But it fell to their successor, Maureen Crisp, to develop the Newstead Abbey Byron Society (NABS) and, with equal importance, the International Byron Society (IBS), following on from Michael Rees when he decided to take Holy Orders. Now, in 2008, it is Maureen who has been taken from us, when she was in the prime of her life, as indeed of course was Lord Byron himself when he died in 1824. Maureen died on 26 July 2008. Maureen possessed Elma's drive and flair and Lucy's efficiency and administrative qualities, and this combination made her the ideal person to occupy the exalted position of Secretary of NABS and Executive Director of the IBS. She held the respect of everyone she came into contact with, from whichever country, and I am absolutely certain that there was much shock and grief felt at her passing throughout the Byron world. When Ken Purslow asked me to pay this tribute to her he also asked me to include some poetry of my choice. This was easily done because it just had to be with Byron that we commence our eulogy - I cannot conceive in Maureen's case of quoting from anyone else. Harold's 'Good Night' from the beginning of Canto I of Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, is, I feel, ideal for this purpose, because, after all, we can say that our life itself is a pilgrimage: Adieu, adieu! My native shore Fades o'er the waters blue; The Night-winds sigh, the breakers roar, And shrieks the wild seamew. Yon Sun that sets upon the sea We follow in its flight; Farewell awhile to him and thee, My native Land - Good-Night. A few short hours and He will rise To give the Morrow birth; And I shall hail the main and skies, But not my mother Earth. I first met Maureen when, with Ken, she took over the restaurant at Newstead Abbey in, I believe, 1981. There was of course no local society in those days. The annual attraction was the visit of the London-based Byron Society, who arrived in a coach at a chosen venue. This was all to change when Maureen and Ken revitalised the catering arrangements at Newstead and immediately invited Byron Society members to use the refurbished dining room to be called 'The White Lady'. We were all looking forward to celebrating Byron's bicentenary in 1988. It would have been quite a modest affair. But Maureen came on the scene and our plans for this event were transformed. All this, of course, led to the formation of the Newstead Abbey Society in 1988, of which Maureen asked me to become the first Chairman. I believe the Byron involvement gave to Maureen the mental stimulation she sought. Now let me say that Maureen was not always the easiest person to work with at first. Great leaders never are - simply because they lead from the front by inspiration, and those of us trying hard to catch up are caught in the slipstream. I am sure many will recognise this trait as regards Byron himself - his colleagues, too, were dragged along by his charisma. You have to adjust to their way of operating. This chemistry worked in NABS and in the IBS and that is why they have seen so much success. Maureen stamped her personality on the whole Byron movement. The events of 22 January 1988 were spectacular. Marching bands and even a covering of snow added to the occasion. It was quite reminiscent of the time Byron and Augusta were snowbound at Newstead. Fortunately, the 1988 celebrations are all recorded on disc for posterity. We arranged for the Earl of Lytton to plant an oak tree to replace the one planted by his great-great-great-grandfather, Lord Byron, in 1798, which had since decayed. …