OMG, is that the Maureen who walked incredible distances to get to folk clubs, and never missed a week? She was a regular at The Rising Sun in Catford too, when I used to go there back in the 70s. She didn't sing the choruses so much as shout them, but with such energetic enthusiasm that she was a delight to see (if not hear!) and always had a jolly smile for everyone. I used to wonder how far she had to go to get home at nights. My memories of her are forty years old, and she wasn't a newcomer then.

The folk scene clearly gave a lot of brightness and warmth to what must have been a pretty lonely existence. It's a real tribute to the clubs, the people who ran them, and the enduring music itself that it affects people's lives in so many sustaining ways.

I have a couple of friends on Facebook who were regulars at that great club. Going to PM this link to them now. Thanks so much for this thread, Peter. And as you say:

Rest in peace, Maureen. We remember you fondly. Say hi to Johnny Collins and all the other gang for us.