'My composer grandfather was ahead of his time'

A composer who wrote some of the world's most popular flute band songs was a "community man ahead of his time" who reached out to unionists and nationalists, his grandson has said.

William Love, who was born in the Fountain area of Londonderry, has been honoured with a blue plaque in the city.

It was at his kitchen table where he sat and wrote music which would later be loved by bands across Northern Ireland, Scotland, Canada and the United States.

Tunes like Moore Street, Orangefield and Charing Cross are still played to this day.

Love also wrote music for broadcast and to mark events such as the late Queen's Coronation in 1953.

His father John was a piccolo player with the Hamilton Flute Band, of which his son would later become a member and conductor.

The plaque was unveiled by the Ulster History Circle on Monday at the New Gate Arts and Culture Centre near where Love grew up.

Steve Porter, Love's grandson, told BBC News NI the plaque unveiling would have been a moving day for his late mother Sandra.

"I've heard so many stories and done a lot of research myself. It's poignant that this plaque is now in the Fountain. He also worked with people across the way in the Bogside so we are talking about a community man ahead of his time," he said.

"My mum died in 2020 and if she was here her heart would be bursting with pride."

Love went to the former Cathedral school and worshipped in St Columb's Cathedral nearby.

"I lived with Willie for five years after I married his daughter," said Leslie Porter, Love's son-in-law.

Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today, Leslie Porter described Love as a "quiet man who was most happy with music sheets in front of him at the kitchen table".

"He rarely played the flute. He just knew the notes and put them down on paper.

"I knew Willie until he died in 1966. He was a lovely man who had a big impact on all communities.

"It's really special being here today. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. It's important that such an important figure in this city is remembered in a very fitting way."

Love became a baker and went to work in the Abercorn Bakery close to the city walls.

In those early years he was an Flute player with the Maiden City Flute Band. They practised in a shed or stable.

He was known affectionately as "Cowboy" Love, because of his love for western films.

From Maiden City he moved to the Churchill Flute Band and also taught in Steelstown.

Love also conducted the Owen Roe O'Neill Band from the Bogside, for whom he arranged music.

However, his links with Hamilton Flute Band were the closest and current band members still talk about him today.

Leanne Peacock from the band, who played the flute at the plaque unveiling, said: "William is still remembered and very much loved in the band scene".

"It's important that we pass on to younger generations who he was and the impact he had.

"His music lives on and we should remember him too."

Brian Dougherty MBE, Chief Executive Officer of the North West Cultural Partnership, told BBC News NI: "William Love was very generous with his time across the political divide and it's really important that we recognise that.

"We want to see tourists come off the walls and down into the Fountain and read this plaque.

"William wanted to celebrate musicianship and inclusivity and hopefully in the years to come people will learn more about him."