I've just posted off my own personal memorial to Bertie which will appear in the next edition of the EDS magazine.
My memories of Bertie go back to 1966 and Aycliffe Stock Car Track - his daughter, Lesley, recalls polishing his F2 World Championship trophy, so he was a bit more than a pair of spoons!!

I subsequently new him through the '70's, and beyond, but it was during this last decade that he became a weekly regular at our own Folk Club at The Welly and that we, occasionally, travelled further afield with him - I'm frequently told by those who were at Manifold Fest in 2015 'The Wilson Family interview Bert Draycott' session will remain indelible in their memories forever - AND OURS!

A born entertainer and raconteur, Bertie was also (literally) a mine of knowledge and - as with The Elliotts - a living connection to our Coal Mining heritage.

Not to be able to give a chorus of "he-ere's Bertie" as he came through the door of the folk club, at ten past eight every Thursday night, is a heartfelt loss to all of our regulars. He's already sorely missed and will remain so for a long, long, time.

Rap Her t' Bank, Bertie - your good friends Tom & the lads