I have just receieved a text to say that my old mentor Ted Edwards has passed away.

For those of you who didn't know Ted he was a constant on the folk music scene of Manchester and surrounds during the 60's and 70's until a massive stroke hit him in the early 80's which although it mostly curtailed his performanaces, it never dampened his spirit ... not once.

Ted was a larger than life character who helped introduce me to folk music in the late 60's early 70's, sneaking me into the Duke of York in Eccles when I was barely out of short pants.

He wrote many, many fine songs some of which have stood the test of time and are still sung across the country including Coal Hole Cavalry which I am fortunate enough to have the original manuscript of.

He also wrote several books including Beyond the Last Oasis which details his solo trek across the Empty Quarter of the Sahara desert which even the local Tuareg people thought impossible.

I sadly haven't seen Ted in many years and I hope someone who knows him better than I do know will add to this.

Sleep well Ted ............ and thank you.