Eric Wolstenholme -A Tribute

Written by:Ben Granger.

I would like to dedicate my new review of Mark E Smith’s latest work to the memory of another, very different grouchy old man from Salford; Eric Wolstenholme. Eighty year-old Eric, child and teen of the 30s slums turned engineer, was one of the oldest living Marxists and contrarians of Greater Manchester. Eric was a man who questioned the accepted at every turn, and wasn’t afraid to corner strangers about it in the pub.

Eric was a man utterly bereft of sentimentality, and had scarcely a good word to say for anyone. “Brains of fucking rocking horses” was what he’d proclaim about the unemployed around him, not exactly queing up to overthrow the government.

Yet as a “practising socialist” he was the most ridiculously generous man you could ever meet, taking in waifs and strays to his home, be they the fleeing wives of abusive psycopathic local gangsters, hopeless anorexics, or depressive unemployed ex-students. He died very recently. He literally gave his life for others, for no thanks. By the by, he was incredibly funny too. And a good friend of mine. Militant athiest Eric wouldn’t like any prayers for him, but fond memories are tribute enough. He’d have bleedin’ loved Pinter’s speech. Rest in peace mate.

Dedications - that’s what you need. Back on the subject of Mark Smith, there’s a pretty entertaining interview with him in this month’s Word Magazine.

Posted on December 12th, 2005.

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