Chester Man

He was a unique man and a great musician. We shared a love of history… he could turn a mundane drive through London into a colourful, historical, guided tour. … Even though he had been unwell… the humour and glint in his eye was there.

Dave Lambert, guitarist with the Strawbs.

Ronald George Arthur Chesterman was born in Chester on 27 November 1939. From an early age he showed a natural gift for music, mastering the double bass and immersing himself in the worlds of folk, jazz, and classical music.

In the mid-1960s, Ron became a founding member of the Strawbs (then known as the Strawberry Hill Boys). Alongside Dave Cousins and Tony Hooper, he laid down the group’s rhythmic foundations during their formative years. His double bass can be heard on early recordings including All Our Own Work with Sandy Denny, Strawbs (1969), and Dragonfly (1970).

Ron with the Strawbs, 1969

Ron’s musicianship was marked not by showmanship but by solidity and warmth—he gave the band their heartbeat, grounding adventurous melodies with his steady pulse. On stage he brought both musical gravitas and good humour; bandmates fondly recalled a legendary mishap in Copenhagen when he fell, bass and all, through a stage curtain, breaking the tension of the night with laughter.

When the Strawbs moved towards electric and progressive rock, Ron chose a different path. He remained true to his musical loves—jazz, folk, and traditional song—but left behind the touring life. He went on to perform with smaller ensembles, including Draught Porridge, but ultimately followed his parallel passion: history.

Returning to Chester, Ron became County Archivist of Cheshire. In this role, he found as much fulfilment as he had in music, preserving the stories and records of past generations. Friends remembered how even a short car ride with him could turn into a guided historical tour, alive with detail, wit, and enthusiasm.

Cheshire County Record Office and Archive

Ron passed away on 16 March 2007 after a period of illness. His funeral at Chester Crematorium reflected the two halves of his life:

• Elgar’s Nimrod reflecting Ron’s love of the English classical tradition.
• Sandy Denny’s Who Knows Where the Time Goes in tribute to his Strawbs years.
• Chris Barber’s Give Me That Old Time Religion to celebrate his passion for jazz.

The funeral address was given by Ron’s younger brother, Ian. He was also a folk musician, playing in local bands, and he wrote a weekly folk music column for the Wrexham Evening Leader for several decades. Afterwards, family, friends, and fellow musicians gathered at The Bear’s Paw, Ron’s favourite Chester pub, to share stories and raise a glass in his memory.

Ron Chesterman will be remembered as a man whose life bridged two great passions—music and history. He left behind not only the recordings that helped shape British folk-rock, but also the archival legacy of his beloved Chester.