MORE than 800 people have signed a petition calling for St Albans Council to erect a memorial to an accordion player who busked in the city centre for decades before he passed away last month.
Unmistakable in his straw hat and colourful neckerchiefs, John ‘Paddy’ Delaney was known locally as The Accordion man of St Albans and even had a Facebook appreciation society set up in his name.
Since news of his passing has spread through the Hertfordshire city – where he positioned himself outside the WH Smith store on the High Street on Saturdays – 887 people have signed the council petition.
“A memorial in his spot between WH Smith and Champneys, would be a fitting tribute for all he gave to the St Albans community, his family and all the people of St Albans that will miss his much loved presence in the hub of our community,” the petition claims.
Mr Delaney died on March 31, aged 86. His funeral will take place on April 24 at 10.30am at St Mary and St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Boxmoor.
