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Tributes paid to poet from Hastings
Tributes have been paid to a much-loved poet from Hastings, who has died.
Terry Sorby passed away after a short illness on June 11, aged 67.
He was one of the founders of the Earlyworks Press Writers club.
Kay Green, from the club, said: "Terry wrote the kind of poems anyone can enjoy.
"Some were funny, some heart-rending, many of them paying a simple tribute to the people of Hastings, from the road-sweeper who tended the street where he lived, to the Mayor whose warm support of local people's endeavours he admired.
"His comic turns and verse readings were popular in the pubs and clubs of Hastings, but he stood out because he was consistently entertaining in real life, while being both gentle and truthful.
"While his health allowed it, Terry was an enthusiastic volunteer on a whole range of projects around Hastings such as projects for writers, for cultural exchange, for anything he thought helped the lost and the marginalized join in creative work.
"When his health began to fail, he transferred his allegiance to online writers' clubs where he could support and encourage writers and artists from his armchair."
She said members of the Earlyworks Press Writers club remembered Terry as a 'most dependable and steadfast supporter'.
Kay said: "He gave his time and attention to anyone who was having difficulty, treating the task as a privilege rather than a duty.
"It was a long time before we learned that Terry himself was labouring under a burden of health problems that would have floored the average person.
"We were delighted when, in February last year, he was presented with a Mayoral Award for services to the community.
"Earlyworks Press published two books of Terry's work and his contributions to our club anthology 'Porkies' still make me laugh when I look at them.
"What makes them even more special is that Terry always flatly refused to accept royalties for his books. Although he lived modestly, he said there were people who needed money more than he did, and we were to spend it on them.
"In discussion with his family, we have agreed that from now on, half the cover price of his books will go to the British Heart Foundation in acknowledgment of those who cared for him in his last illness.
"Hastings has lost an old soldier, father to a lovely family, tireless community worker, comedian, poet, storyteller and a faithful friend. We loved him, we miss him, but we see a hundred ways the world was a better place thanks to his having been with us."
Terry's funeral was held last Friday (June 19) at Hastings Crematorium.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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