FRIENDS of Tavistock painter Arthur Read have paid tribute to him and signed a book of condolences in Tavistock Parish Church, following his death recently at the age of 74. The chapel at Efford Crematorium in Plymouth was full for the funeral service. The Rev Joanna Abecassis officiated and the chosen hymn was 'Immortal Invisible.' Will Gee, 18-year-old grandson, and Simon Read, son, reflected on Arthur Read's life and described him as a gentleman who left a legacy of fine paintings owned by royalty, collectors abroad and others much closer to home. Born in London and educated in Surrey, Arthur Read travelled widely as a civil servant with National Audit, and following his marriage to Jennie was eventually posted to Devon to audit Devonport Dockyard. The area provided the inspiration for many of his paintings and following a three-year posting to Singapore, he decided against a move to London to progress his career, instead staying at his Lower Leeze home at Gulworthy to paint in his studio. Arthur and Jennie raised three children, Josephine, Simon and Rupert, in the early years struggling to make ends meet as Arthur strove to become an established painter. His success was all the more remarkable when one considers that he never had the backing of a major studio, selling most of his early paintings direct to the public and relying on his growing reputation. All that was to change. He became renowned for his landscapes and seascapes and his paintings sold worldwide through London's top stores and dealers. Arthur Read's annual exhibitions in Tavistock became something of an institution, attracting commissions from far and wide, sometimes amounting to many months of work. His best known works locally are probably the painting hanging in Tavistock Parish Church entitled 'The Dawn of the Third Millennium,' and what was dubbed as the 'paintathon painting' of the town of Tavistock, to which many people contributed their artistic skills under Arthur's tutelage. The latter raised money for the Devon Air Ambulance and was gifted to the town. He was a great communicator who would always find time to share his views on painting with others, students in particular. A modest man with a simple philosophy, he often said: 'If it gives you pleasure, then that is all that matters.' Of athletic build, he trained with weights to stay in shape and for many years coached badminton and gave swimming lessons for adults and children at Tavistock School and Mount House. The family moved from Gulworthy to historic Vigers Hall, near Kelly College, where they remained for 26 years. Unfortunately Arthur was dogged with ill-health in recent years and the family moved to the more manageable Martin's Cottage, Callington Road, Tavistock, in July 2005. Vic Gardner