Roy Douglas, who was born in Tunbridge Wells on 12th December in 1907, is the President of the RTWCS. Roy was a member of the London Symphony Orchestra in the 1930s as a pianist, celesta player, percussionist and librarian. After the war he was musical assistant to Vaughan Williams helping him prepare works for performance including his last four symphonies. For thirty years from 1942 to 1972, he performed a similar service for William Walton.

Roy has written many original pieces including music for radio programmes, documentary and feature films, the Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra and other local musicians.

Roy used to enjoy motorcycling. At the age of 51 he bought a Triumph 200cc Tiger Cub and later a Triumph 350cc on which he covered 55,000 miles. He gave up motorcycling at the age of 80!

Left
Roy Douglas with Ralph Vaughan Williams at a rehearsal for Sinfonia Anartica.

Roy is also president of the Ralph Vaughan Williams Society, and participated in film and a series of documentary radio and television programmes on Vaughan William during 2008 to mark the 50th anniversary of his death.

See recent photograph of Roy Douglas at the RTWCS concert celebrating his 100th birthday in 2007.