Pat Tracey, Keith Summers and Other Things

The Guardian published an obitiary of Pat Tracey today. I really don't know if I should be pleased at the recognition of a major figure in the folk scene or angry because it took them three months to publish it.

Pat isn't the only Essex folkie to be remembered recently. I have just spent a most enjoyable time at the fourth Keith Summers Memorial Weekend. These events, funded in part by a bequest from Keith, are a gathering of singers and musicians from around the British Isles (and occasionally beyond) in a back street pub in central London. One of the entertaining elements is watching passers by stop at the door and scuttle away in horror at the sight of people actually singing or playing music for themselves. Our photo gallery contains pictures from the first three festivals, and I have sorted out 22 from the 150 shots taken from this one for inclusion in the near future.

Looking back at the local folk scene Blackmore Folk Club has abandoned the Black Bull for the second time in it history, and more significantly has also changed the day of week on which it meets. Full details can be found in our Stop Press page.

Our June edition should be in the post by now, the usual reminder will go out by email but if you are a reseller or subscriber and you copies have not arrived by the end of the week please let us know.