When I was appointed a Trustee of the Robert Bouffler Music Trust in 2007, Sue Simpson had been a Trustee and Hon Secretary for nearly twenty years. Over those years, scores of young musicians benefitted from the Trust’s support, both financial and by performing in concerts, which Sue had tirelessly worked to achieve. Sue was a driving force for classical music in Caterham, but the Trustees would like to express their appreciation of her invaluable contribution to the work of the Robert Bouffler Music Trust in particular.
The story starts one evening in 1983. Sue, a music teacher from Caterham was driving home from giving piano lessons when her car broke down on White Hill, Caterham. She needed to find a telephone to call for assistance, and, in those pre-mobile-phone days, she had no option but to knock at the door of the nearest house. No answer. She tried the next house. No answer. And the next one, where an obliging man said he would love to help, but regrettably didn’t have a phone (in 1983!). The next house was called “The Dairy” and the pleasant, if rather scruffy man who answered the door heard the teacher’s predicament, and helpfully invited her into his house to use the phone. “It’s this way” he said as she followed him, carefully avoiding all the motor-bike parts littering the entrance hall. He led her into the room where the telephone was, and she was astounded to see that room also contained two very classy pianos – a Bluthner grand and a Broadwood upright. The owner of the pianos was Robert Bouffler, an Australian concert pianist and music teacher, whose house Sue had chanced upon.
This was the start of a friendship that lasted barely four years until Robert’s tragically early death in May 1987, a few months before his 40th birthday. The Robert Bouffler Music Trust was set up after his death to help young local people with their music education. Sue became a founder Trustee, together with Sidney Davidson and David Birt. When Robert gave concerts on London’s South Bank, Sue would ride pillion on his motor bike, with music in the panniers! Robert was one of the first victims of AIDS in the UK, when the disease was little known and even less understood. Sue told of the time she went to visit him in hospital when she was not allowed to visit his bedside – the nurses ushered her outside and she carried out a conversation with him through the open window of the ward while she bravely stood on the grassy bank outside.
Aside from music and motorbikes, Robert did seem to embrace new innovations with the same open-mindedness that allowed him to appreciate twentieth century music. When Sue knew Robert, she was also developing skills in the business of music administration and had just been elected secretary of the East Surrey Choral Society. When Robert needed help with a new brochure, mailing music societies, and looking for concert opportunities, she offered to help. His contribution was to buy a computer – quite a brave purchase in those early techie days. He called it “Mr Atari” and it remains unclear whether the time spent by Sue getting the thing to work, actually saved any time at all!
Over 120 young musicians were supported by Robert Bouffler Music Trust, and Sue took great interest in the careers of these young musicians, tracking their progress and reporting back through the means of a newsletter. Some became professional musicians, some just carried on enjoying making music – it mattered not to Sue, as long as Robert’s spirit and objectives was sustained by encouraging and supporting young musicians.
This encouragement and support has left a legacy shared by these young people, and also by the Bouffler Trustees, who also share many happy memories of working alongside Sue in the pursuit of these aims. We Trustees miss her wise counsel, her charm and her delightful sense of humour.
Viv Edwards
12 January 2026