Fri. 24.02.17.It's been a long, quite emotional day today, having attended Tony's funeral in Warrington. He had a really good send-off. Ushered in by a real-live New Orleans Jazz Band - just what he wanted! The service was well attended, with the three remaining Spinners - Hughie, Mick, and John, and their wives, and Cliff's eldest son, Cliff Jr. Both the folk and jazz music communities were well represented, the chapel was full with people standing in the aisle. One of Tony's daughters did a eulogy - full of love and humour, and Hughie, Mick and Johnny got up to sing Amazing Grace, with Mick and Hughie sharing Tony's 'calling' duties between them, and the whole congregation singing in harmony. That set me off, it was absolutely beautiful.

We filed out of the chapel to the strains of a very early Spinners' recording of The Leaving of Liverpool, and were met outside by the New Orleans Jazz Band, which was made up of members of Tony's Jazz Band and a few others. I got a couple of minutes of it on my phone, but, so far, can't get it up of FB.

Then spent a couple of hours in the company of one Bernard Cromarty who very kindly gave me a lift to the 'wake' and then to Warrington train station for home. Met up with a few old friends, and was very touched that they remembered me, particularly Tony's wife Beryl, and Cliff Jr. A fitting farewell to someone who, along with his bandmates, befriended me when I first came to England, encouraged me in my music and who I will always remember with affection. God bless Tony Davis.