Tributes have poured in for a well-respected musician and musical director from Barrow.

Andy Sproxton, who also went by the name of Lionel Bernglet on social media, died on September 28 at age 76.

He leaves behind his two daughters Adria Wright, 43, and Ashley Michaelis, 41, along with his partner and a long list of colleagues and creative people who respected him dearly. 

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A songwriter with many years' of experience, he composed in many varied genres from radio jingles through to pop songs.

He was musical director for two local amateur dramatic societies and wrote musicals such as two freely adapted Shakespeare plays - A Musical Midsummer Night's Dream and Orlando & Rosalin.

He was also a freelance peripatetic tutor teaching drums and guitar both privately and in  many South Cumbrian schools.

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He was known particularly for his work with Walney Musical Theatre, Walney Juniors Amateur Operatic Society and the Forum Theatre.

A spokesperson for Walney Junior Amateur Operatic Society said: "In 1992, we did a Musical version of A Midsummer Night's Dream written, composed and directed by Andrew to celebrate our 25th year as a society. Having played the drums for us for several shows and every show since he will be a great loss to us."

"He was so much more than a drummer," said Ian Bird, a former musical director who conducts the South Lakes Brass ensemble.

"He was very knowledgeable and I used to ring him every couple of months to ask how to use a music computer programme called Sibelius as it would be easier to ask Andy than to research how to do it.

"It's only in recent years I found out the extent of his education and background as he was a very private person.

"He was very talented and he will be sorely missed."

Andy with his extended family (Image: Adria Wright) Helen Hogg, who worked with Mr Sproxton in amateur theatre, said: "He was a wonderful, fun man, very talented and was just a pleasure to be with."

Jackie Rose, who knew Mr Sproxton from playing in The Forum's orchestra, said: "He was a lovely man and a soft soul. He was very kind-hearted and always obliging and I'm so sorry that he's gone."

Andy Sproxton pictured in 1992 (Image: Adria) Mr Sproxton was the youngest of three brothers and grew up in Mitcham, London, attending a boys' grammar school. He studied at Nottingham University and then Leeds where he achieved a doctorate in philosophy. 

His funeral on October 15 at St Mark's Church in Barrow was very well attended.

Andy walking with his two daughters, Adria and Ashley, in the Cumbrian fells in the 1980s (Image: Adria Wright) "It's all gone by in a daze," said his daughter Adria, who works as a charity manager.  "I recently had my first birthday without him and I caught myself still thinking: 'why hasn't he called yet?'.

"He was a very clever man but he was a very private person too and didn't often speak about his doctorate in philosophy. 

"He had a background in computers originally however his passion was music which he had a natural aptitude for and decided to pursue. 

"He mainly played drums however he could pick up a guitar or play piano if needed.

"He moved us to Cumbria in the mid-80s, inspired by his love of walking of fells, which was always a passion he was keen to share with me and my sister.

"His passing has been a shock to us all and we will miss him deeply."