В Южной Эссексии прощались с пианино-настройщиком и владельцем магазина, помогавшим слепым людям

Tributes have been paid to a beloved south Essex music shop owner who spent decades supporting musicians, charities and the blind community. Alvin King, the long-time owner of Music King in Chalkwell and husband of disability campaigner Jill Allen-King OBE, passed away last month just before his 84th birthday following a five-year battle with Alzheimer's disease. This month, dozens of people attended a service at Southend Crematorium before gathering at Chalkwell Rooms, where music from the 1950s and 1960s paid tribute to one of Alvin's lifelong passions. Alvin and Jill were married for almost 40 years, having tied the knot at Crowstone Congregational Church in January 1987. Their relationship actually began after their guide dogs met outside a butcher's shop in Southend in 1977, a chance encounter Jill often joked meant the dogs introduced them before they introduced themselves. Jill Allen-King OBE said: “I am sad to lose my dear husband after nearly 40 years of marriage. “Alvin had looked after me throughout our marriage and particularly after my last guide dog died two years ago. “I am grateful for all of the cards and messages that I have received and the support from my church and friends at this difficult time. "Thank you Alvin for looking after me for 43 years." Born in 1942, Alvin was registered blind from birth and later trained as a piano tuner at the London College of Furniture, qualifying in 1977. Over the following decades, he built a reputation across Southend, tuning pianos in schools, churches, private homes and even cruise ships departing from Tilbury. Despite having limited sight, Alvin travelled everywhere by bus and became a familiar figure throughout the community. In 1994 he fulfilled a childhood ambition by opening Music King in Chalkwell. The shop became far more than a music retailer, with Alvin offering advice, encouragement and guitar lessons to customers of all ages. Away from business, Alvin dedicated significant time to helping blind and partially sighted people. He served for many years as treasurer of the local branch of the National Federation of the Blind, organised annual fundraising carol singing events and repaired equipment for visually impaired people across the country. Donations from the service were collected for the Trust Links Music Group and Moorfields Eye Hospital, where Alvin underwent dozens of eye operations throughout his life.