Tributes paid to Spalding's 'Dave the Furry Man'

Tributes have been paid to a busker known for his guitar playing in Spalding who has sadly passed away.

David Anthony Rhodes, affectionately known as ‘Dave the Furry Man’, died recently at Spalding Community Hospital.

He was well known in the area, and could often be found playing guitar while wearing his trademark furry hat in the Sheep Market.

The Rev Steve Weatherly-Barton conducted Dave’s funeral yesterday (Wednesday) after having spent time with him in hospital, where Dave sadly lost his battle with cancer.

He said: “I had a chat with Dave when he was first in hospital and he was such a warm and friendly man – I found him a lovely man to chat to.

“Apparently when they broke the news to him that he wouldn’t recover he was at peace with it. That’s the sort of man he was.

“It was a privilege to take the funeral.”

Street photographer Liane Silvester vividly remembers the day she managed to capture some photos of Dave.

Liane, who lives in Moulton, said: “He really stands out in my mind.

He told me all about his song – Lemon Tree – which is on YouTube, and his stories of women and other areas he’d lived in.

“I usually tip-toe around taking photos of people but with Dave I couldn’t be covert.

“He was really good and I’m really glad I took the photos as I feel they are a true representation of him. The news of his death is very sad.”

Peter Williams, the former landlord of The Punchbowl in Spalding, says that Dave will never be forgotten. He said: “Dave was the last of a few real characters in the town and it is sad news that he has died.”

With his tongue firmly in his cheek, Peter added: “I think he did quite well out his guitar playing, even if he was the worst I’ve ever heard in my life! He sat there twanging away but he was a breath of fresh air.”