Memorial event for fish-and-chip king

4:29am Friday 24th August 2007

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A MEMORIAL concert will be held for the co-founder of one of Southend's best known fish and chip shops.

The event will be staged in honour of Derek Oldham, who opened the Quality Fayre fish and chip shop on the seafront, followed by another in Queens Road, Southend.

Meanwhile, his brother Rod opened Oldhams in West Road, Westcliff, and Derek's children, Sarah and Matthew, opened an Oldhams in Rayleigh High Street.

Derek died at his family home in June following a short battle with lung cancer, aged 67.

Friend Mick Brownlee said musicians from across Southend wanted to celebrate Derek's love for live music.

This passion was evident in the weekly gigs he held at the Dicken's pub in Southend, which he also owned.

Mr Brownlee, 64, from Rayleigh, said: "Derek is sadly missed and was a good friend to the live music scene in Essex. Musicians wanted to do something to celebrate his life, and so the idea for a concert was born."

The concert, called Time to Rock will be held at Club Riga in Westcliff to raise money for the Macmillan nurses who helped Derek during his treatment.

The line-up will include the Ugly Guys, the Reformed Pilchards, John-ny Hazeltine and the Business, Hunt Runt Shunt and Cunningham, and Steve Weston.

Tickets for the event, to be held on Sunday, October 7, cost £12 in advance from Club Riga.