In these days of hysteria that grips the masses through TV, Press etc about celebrities, royal family etc. Anne's contribution to the world of music will, no doubt, get overlooked. Not that she was involved in music for the "award", though a round of applause,encore at the end of the night and a return booking was usually ample reward.
When my daughter who lives in Teignmouth,Devon and is a local school teacher, specialising in music, told me Mrs Folk had died. I thought what a great accolade.'Mrs Folk'. But so many areas of Britain have their Mrs (& Mr) Folk. From when I started travelling around the folk clubs in 1968 , I have met and been regally accommodated by hundreds of them. As have most other travelling folkies.
I was thinking about this not so long ago when Pam Colls of Dartford FC died. The pro folk singer who gets picked up at the station, fed and bedded, money stuffed in his pocket and taxied away again. Then collects an award for having an award from they who collected the award last time to whom they will present it to next year...ad naus..zzzzzz.
Where is the provider ? The organiser. When is their award show. Where is their honours list ? Without these stalwarts there would be no folk club. That's why the folk clubs have gone...the organisers have gone. These champions of the music cannot champion indefinitely.
These folks,champions, put their hand in their pocket to keep their club going, I have seen it time & time again.
Anne will be remembered for the unbridled musical joy of Dead Sea Surfers, Spring Chicks etc. but also for keeping the music alive in South Devon, though I remember her more in London days.
So when some dingbat comes on the telly.." Rod's got a knighthood...the passing of such musical geniuses on the planet blah blah the music of Prince and David Bowie touched us all "
Hoi ! mate. sorry but it didn't.
But Anne Darby-Wiseman DID !