David Allen: A Life of Scholarship, Music and Community Service
The multifaceted life of David Allen, who has passed away at the age of 72, encompassed roles as a scholar, educator, music critic, entrepreneur and smallholder. Born in Bexleyheath, south-east London, Dave was the only child of Colin Allen, an employee of the local electricity board, and his wife Betty (nee Picket), who hailed from a family of timber merchants in the area.
Oxford Education and Early Musical Pursuits
Allen received his education at St Dunstan's College in Catford before embarking on his university journey in 1972 at St Catherine's College, Oxford, which was then the university's newest college. As the first member of his family to attend university, he studied music where he developed a special interest in Baroque compositions. Since St Catherine's lacked a music fellow at the time, he was tutored at Magdalen College by David Wulstan, the founder of the early music ensemble the Clerkes of Oxenford.
During his Oxford years, Allen became known as a colourful character – burly, bearded and eccentric in both manner and dress, often sporting a cloak and silver-topped cane. This distinctive style earned him the nickname "Captain Beefheart" among younger contemporaries. He served as one of the first student representatives on the college governing body, selected by its founder, historian Alan Bullock.
Theatrical Success and Academic Research
In 1974, Allen demonstrated his theatrical talents with a memorable performance as the faux aesthetic poet Bunthorne in Gilbert & Sullivan's Patience at the Oxford Playhouse. The Oxford Mail praised him as "a performer to cherish," though despite the positive reception, he never appeared on stage again professionally.
After completing his degree, Allen remained in Oxford to conduct research on the 17th-century composer Alessandro Stradella, whose life was as colourful and dramatic as his music. This academic pursuit reflected Allen's deep engagement with Baroque music and its historical context.
International Teaching and Health Challenges
In the late 1970s, Allen accepted a teaching position at the University of Natal in Durban, South Africa. His time abroad was cut short when he contracted hepatitis C, necessitating his return to Bexleyheath for an extended period of recovery. This health challenge marked a significant transition in his professional life.
Community Engagement and Educational Leadership
Following his recovery during the 1980s, Allen established himself as a home tutor and became co-partner in a youth training scheme designed to help young people in his south London community access training and employment opportunities. Simultaneously, he served as music critic for the North Kent Press, sharing his expertise with local audiences.
It was during this period that he met his future wife, Ann Dixon, who survives him. Together in the late 1980s, they began a decade-long association with Braziers Park, a community college and educational charity located in Oxfordshire. Allen took on the role of director of studies, contributing significantly to the institution's educational programmes.
Later Life in Wales and Final Years
Around the year 2000, Allen and his wife relocated to Ceredigion in Wales, where they managed a smallholding with Ann tending to sheep. Allen immersed himself in the local community, particularly in the university town of Lampeter, where he learned basic Welsh. He maintained his connection with his former tutor David Wulstan, who lived nearby, and following Wulstan's death in 2017, Allen acted as an executor, distributing Wulstan's literary and music estate to appropriate institutions.
In his final years, Allen faced the challenges of Alzheimer's disease, though he continued to respond positively to music almost until the end of his life. His journey from Oxford scholar to community educator reflects a life dedicated to musical scholarship, cultural criticism and educational service across multiple communities in England and Wales.
