ARTICLE FROM WILTSHIRE GAZETTE & HERALD

Tributes to Chippenham Folk Festival singer
10:23am Tuesday 11th August 2009

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By Scott McPherson »


Organisers of the Chippenham Folk Festival have paid tribute to long-standing festival singer Johnny Collins who has died suddenly on tour.

Mr Collins, 71, who had been a resident singer at the popular festival for more than ten years, died of a heart attack while on tour in Poland last month.

A spokesman for the festival committee said: "We 'adopted' Johnny as a resident singer at the festival some ten years ago and have always found his contribution valuable and gave a common grounding to participation and singing.

"We will all miss him dearly and will do what we can to keep his memory alive at the next festival and in subsequent years.

"I think the best quote we have heard recently was 'if when you hear some distant thunder and it sounds a bit deeper than usual then that will be Johnny joining in'.

"Our hearts go out to Joyce and Johnny's family.

"All the more sadder for his loss."

Mr Collins' funeral will be held on Thursday in Ruislip, Middlesex.

(I suspect that thanks are due to Bob Berry for the inclusion of the above article in the local Chippenmham rag. It's nice to know that those outside the 'folk community' are able to recognise his passing. Polly)