On a crisp Saturday morning, if you wander down French Row in St Albans, you might find a bearded man wearing a cap and strumming his guitar.
In front of him is a sign which reads ‘Leukemia Busters’. I wanted to find out more about this man known as Breezy…
Here is John’s story.
John plays his music here every Saturday. The money he receives is donated to Leukemia Busters(*). John has been supporting Leukemia Busters for the past ten years. He was inspired by a media article about Leukemia Busters ten years ago, hence his decision to support them.
Prior to this, John supported another Leukemia Research Charity. In total, John has been coming here for 21 years, always in support of a charity.
It started in July1987 when he wanted to practice for a Family Folk Show in Padstow, Cornwall. He started to play his tunes in this little space down French Row and used this time to revise songs for his repertoire. His time was divided between St Albans and Cornwall.
During this time, John was also a full time teacher and a basketball coach!
‘I was the last coach to take a Hertfordshire County team to the National Finals (1996).When I finished teaching, I set up a basketball club in St Albans. I ran it for three years. Between 2001 and 2006 we also ran successful folk clubs ‘The Windward Folk Club’ and ‘The Spotlight Club’.
This guy obviously liked music!
I asked John if he there was anything he would like to say to the public through this interview.
‘I would like to give my thanks and gratitude to the people of St Albans and surrounds, who have been loyal and generous supporters throughout my time here (singing). I hope they’ll continue to do so.’
St Albans has a lot to be proud of and characters like Breezy give it it’s added colour. To create atmosphere through lovely music and simultaneously make money for Leukemia research is something to be commended.
(*)More information on Leukemia Busters available www.healthcare.com/topic/leukemia-busters/
