11:00am Monday 23rd November 2009
By Joanna Davis
A HEART attack victim is celebrating his recovery by performing an exhausting one-man show to re-pay the hospital that saved his life.
Actor Tim Laycock, 58, is staging a charity performance of a play about one of Dorset’s most famous sons to thank Dorchester medical staff who reached him in a crucial three minutes and provided him with first class care.
The Bradford Peverell resident will resume the role of poet William Barnes in The Year Clock on Wednesday – a play he performed prior to his heart attack.
All profits from the Dorchester performance will be shared between Dorset County Hospital and a scholarship fund helping deprived Birmingham youngsters to experience higher education.
Tim said: “I was planning to do a charity performance last year for the Eve Brook fund because it was set up by the late wife of a friend of mine.
“But then I had the heart attack in September, 2008 and was unable to do it – I was riding my bike into Dorchester and was very fortunate that I had my phone with me.
“I had these chest pains outside County Hall and realised something was wrong because I got off my bike and they wouldn’t go away, so I dialled 999.”
Help for Tim arrived within three minutes.
“It was fantastic that they came so quickly – I wouldn’t be here now if that hadn’t happened,” he said.
After an operation at Southampton General Hospital, Tim was on the path to full recovery.
He said: “I thought I would give something back to the hospital and the best way would be raising money from the play.
“It’s quite an energetic performance – I had to wait until I was fit enough to do this, but I love this play.”
A score of traditional Dorset folk tunes and songs feature in The Year Clock, played on the violin and guitar by Colin Thompson.
The performance will be at the United Church in Dorchester at 7.30pm – a fitting venue, Tim said.
“It’s only a few yards away from the place where William Barnes had his school. I think there are a lot of people who are interested in finding out more about him.”
Tickets are priced at £8 and are available from Dorchester Tourist Information Centre or by calling 01305 267992.
© Copyright 2001-2010 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk