A retired Ealing Hospital consultant who organised more than 800 free concerts is continuing with his musical endeavours.
Hugh Mather, who retired in 2006, is now overseeing weekly musical concerts at St Marys Church Perivale.
The 79-year-old said: “I can’t live without music. I’d consider myself a decent pianist but there is a gulf between that and being a top professional. A lot of students from around the world studying at the London conservatoires play at Perivale and the talent can be breathtaking.”
Mr Mather also revealed that he juggled between choosing music or medicine. He said: “I had a wonderful medical career but my love of music kept things in perspective which, I think, was an advantage. Medicine is a tough competitive career but you have to be exceptional to make the grade as a professional musician.”
He added: “I am the organist at St Barnabas Church Ealing and still get great pleasure playing.”
One of his career successes as a consultant was being the first person to recognise the increased risk of diabetes among the British Asian community, in the Southall Diabetes Survey. His findings in 1985 came as a result of knocking on doors across Southall asking if anyone had diabetes and attracted worldwide interest.
He recalled: “I have a lot of very fond memories of Ealing Hospital. It was a lovely place to work and there was a great team spirit about the place.”
