'Forgotten' Caleb scores a hit once again

MENTION the name Caleb Simper to anyone in Barnstaple High Street and the chances are they wouldn't know who you were talking about.

Yet, in his heyday, his church music was much loved by the ordinary man in the street for its tuneful and easy-to-sing qualities.

So much so, that he sold more than five million copies of his sheet music, a staggering achievement by anyone's standards.

And his compositions are still being performed throughout the world.

Now his work is due to get a local airing at St John the Baptist Church in Newport, Barnstaple, where he was once choirmaster.

Caleb was born in 1856 in a Wiltshire village, the son of a cobbler, but moved to Barnstaple in the late 1800s to run a music warehouse.

However, within months of his arrival his increasing popularity as a composer forced him to leave the business in the hands of his partner.

At the age of 34, Caleb began working from his home at 9 Taw Vale, Barnstaple, focusing his energy on writing music.

He abecame organist and choirmaster at Emmanuel Church, Barn staple, and also used his musical talents at St John the Baptist Church.

Later he became organist and choirmaster at the now-demolished St Mary Magdalene Church in town.

In 1898 his first volume of organ pieces was published.

He gave up playing at St Mary Magdalene in1904 and became choirmaster at St John the Baptist.

In 1916 his wife Emily died and Caleb went on to marry the daughter of a local baker who was half his age.

Caleb continued making music until the 1920s.

He died at home in Ashleigh Road on August 28 1942 at the age of 85.

The Rev Paul Niemiec, the vicar of St John the Baptist, said: "This guy sold five million copies of sheet music and when he died he left more than £20,000 — a staggering amount of money.

"His music is still played around the world."

Mr Niemiec had never heard of him until his name came up in discussions about the 180th birthday of St John the Baptist next month.

Various things are planned to mark the occasion including an evening celebration, focusing on Caleb's work. It will take place on Sunday July 26 at 6.30pm.