• THANK goodness for “catch-up” telly!

The extraordinary England v Argentina match in the Rugby World Cup trumped the Last Night of the Proms on Saturday but, the following evening, I was able to watch LNOTP on the box.

I raised a toast to Sir Henry Wood’s Fantasia on British Sea Songs (1905) and, in particular, the haunting sailor’s lament Tom Bowling, its beautiful words ending “His soul is gone aloft”.

The song has a local connection and is probably the best-known work written by Charles Dibdin (1745-1814), whose memorial is prominent in St Martin’s Gardens, Camden Town.

During the Napoleonic Wars Dibdin became well-known for writing patriotic sea songs, and was encouraged to write and sing them in order to ferment the popular feeling against France.

In later life he took up residence in Arlington Road, Camden Town, where he suffered a stroke in 1813, granted a government pension as a result.

Michael Ray Dibdin Heseltine is a descendant.

Rule, Britannia!

LESTER MAY
Lieutenant Commander
Royal Navy (retired), NW1