Final farewell to 'absolute legend' Peterborough musician Chris Allen at Cathedral

There were emotional scenes at Peterborough Cathedral as friends, family and colleagues of an ‘absolute legend’ of the city music scene said a final farewell.

Chris Allen was a much-loved musician and singer who had been an integral part of the Peterborough music scene, but sadly he died last month, after a battle with cancer.

The 70-year-old made a huge impact on all who met him, and the Cathedral was packed with hundreds of people on Wednesday, April 8 at a memorial service for him.

The service was taken by Canon Tim Alban Jones, with many members of Peterborough bands among the mourners.

Along with being a musician, Chris was also a teacher, and a lifeguard at Peterborough Lido, and there were plenty of representatives from all aspects of his life at the Cathedral.

A collection was held to raise money for Thorpe Hall Hospice and The Friends of Peterborough Lido in Chris’ honour.

Following his death, Keith Lewington of the Peterborough Musicians group on Facebook described Chris as an “absolute legend of the Peterborough music scene.”

“[He] played in many bands over the years… Salmon Dave, Brotherhoods Roundabout, The Motivators and Gobblinz to name a few.”

“[He] will be sorely missed not by hundreds but by thousands of people.”

As well as being a revered musician, Chris was also much-loved teacher who worked at a number of local schools over several decades.

‘Mr A’ kicked off his teaching career at Orton Longueville School, where he met another teacher, Tina, who would later become his wife. After 15 years there, he moved over to the Priory School in Spalding. The last school he worked at was Kirkstone House in Baston.

Speaking to the Peterborough Telegraph, Tina said: “The whole family has been overwhelmed with the love and support that we’ve received.”

“We knew how much he was loved but we didn't realise the extent of the impact he had on other people - and I don’t think he did either.”

On her husband’s legacy, Tina said simply: “He was everybody’s friend.”

“It’s going to feel like there will be a huge hole in the music industry in Peterborough.”

Chris died at Thorpe Hall Hospice on Saturday, March 14. He had just celebrated his 70th birthday. He said he was happy to be returning to the former hospital as that was where he was born.

“He wanted his life to go full circle,” Tina shared.