‘Seat of Learning’ Tribute to Doctor of Music
Do you remember Engelbert Humperdinck? The Leicester boy has been honoured by his fans for his 40 years in the music industry. The fans sponsored a reader’s chair in the new 32 million pound Library in the University of Leicester.
The fan club, known as the ‘Engelbert in the UK’ fan club are celebrating what they say is his “tremendous international contribution.” The fan club will make the gift to the University of Leicester, which had given him an honorary degree of Doctor of Music the year before.
The Engelbert in the UK fan club secretary, Mrs Audrey Taylor, said, “Engelbert’s music has brought so much pleasure for many people over the last 40 years and my members wanted a permanent reminder of this tremendous achievement of this world icon.”
Engelbert Humperdinck was very please with the club’s gift, and said “I am delighted and honoured that ‘Engelbert in the UK’ have recognised my work in this way and made this lasting contribution to the University of Leicester Library project.”
This is a wonderful gift to the University Library, and the University Librarian, Christine Fyfe, said: “Within the setting of our impressive new Library, this chair will be a permanent reminder of the link between one of Leicester’s most famous sons and the University of Leicester. Students using the chair over the years to come will be reminded of Engelbert’s huge impact on the music scene over more than four decades.”
The Library, to be known as the David Wilson Library, will cost The University of Leicester Pounds 32m. The University says the contemporary architecture is “stunning” and it will be an iconic building and an excellent library service.
The University, in consultation with the University’s students selected Vitra’s Visavis 2 chair for the project. This chair has a classic design and is very comfortable for long periods of study.
1500 reader places provide a choice of study environments from informal seating to traditional reader places.
Sally NewsBlaze has an interesting connection to Engelbert Humperdinck. She was also born in Leicester, and they were close neighbors. He used to push her around in her pram. After he became famous, he stayed in Leicester and was very good to his old friends.
