Cornwall musician's love of music set to endure through gift

Cornwall musician Andrew Keirl wants Alison’s love of music to endure after donating her glockenspiel to a youth band. Keirl, a retired optometrist from Liskeard, gave the instrument he said his wife Alison had treasured to the Cornwall Youth Brass Band, with the epitaph “May the music play on.” Alison, who played piano and violin before being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis as a teenager, struggled to continue as her condition worsened. After she retired from 40 years in the NHS last year, the couple joined St Breward Silver Band, but three weeks later she suffered a stroke and died in April. Keirl said the glockenspiel, played with sticks, became a practical substitute and she took to it “like a duck to water.” He hopes the donation helps young people learn through banding and teamwork.