TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular former school teacher who was well known across the amateur dramatic scene across Cumbria.

Martin Bott, a school teacher and musical director from Keswick, passed away on October 13.

Martin studied music at St John's College, York before becoming a music teacher, a career he started and ended in the Cumberland area, teaching at Keswick School.

As well as being an instrumental figure in the formation of the Keswick Operatic Society and the Lakeland Amateur Musical Performers (LAMP) society, Martin also held positions as musical director and conductor for seven other local am-dram groups.

A prolific writer of music, Martin has written many full original works ranging from opera and nativity through to 'feel good' family musicals for children and adult groups, with many of his works being presented in Keswick - as well as performances in Cockermouth, Workington, Blackpool and Greater Manchester.

Most of Martin's works have been in collaboration, sculpting narrative and lyrics from other artists into beautiful, sensitive melodies, as well as developing a skill of his own in writing lyrics for his tunes.

His works have covered a range of musical genres and flavours, and his unique gifts are demonstrated in the body of his work where opera, comedy, tragedy, romance, dance and parade, rock and roll, heartbreak and 'hearts of flowers' types of music can all be found with equal skill and musicality.

Perhaps the outstanding feature in his body of work is the unique skill to provide magnificent counterpoint harmony and seamless key transitions and mood changes, that the singers and players alike enjoyed performing.

Although a traditional and purist musician, Martin was able to adapt to the newer technology coming through, involving computer software and digitally sampled sounds, to arrange his own full orchestral prints and orchestration backing sounds.

His other hobbies include chess (of which he was a county player) and mountain climbing, having conquered the Matterhorn.

His funeral is to be held on November 4 at 11am at Crosthwaite Church then afterwards at the Borrowdale Hotel. All are welcome.