Ray Fisher unwell (Dec 2009)-died 31 Aug 2011

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: GUEST,Bob Coltman
Date: 04 Dec 09 - 07:06 PM

Ray, get well, we need you and love you. Bob and Amba Coltman

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: Wheatman
Date: 04 Dec 09 - 07:29 PM

Gan Canny Bonny Lass. We are rooting for you in the flat lands. How we remember Ray staying with us when we lived in Stevenage in the 70's and helped to run the club there and how I remember driving her to the singers club in London. Wonderful times. She is one of the finest singer around with oh so much empathy for the music, she just delivers what it needs.

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: GUEST,David E.
Date: 04 Dec 09 - 11:25 PM

Wanted to let you know that your music is being played today in our home half way across the world in California and that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

David and Dona Evpak

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: lisa null
Date: 04 Dec 09 - 11:43 PM

Hi Ray:

Many good wishes for your comfort and recovery from this side of the pond. You are certainly in my thoughts.

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: Derby Ram
Date: 05 Dec 09 - 03:56 AM

Please, please get well soon Ray.

Lots of love Keith Kendrick & Sylvia Needham

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 05 Dec 09 - 04:21 AM

I knew Ray was at Whitby this year but, as is the way with festivals, our paths didn't cross there.

Sending my thoughts and best wishes.

I have great memories of Ray's visits to London over the years, and particularly some memorable late sessions at the National.

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: Wheatman
Date: 05 Dec 09 - 11:01 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Happy! - Nov 27 (Ray Fisher)
From: GUEST,Howard Glasser
Date: 05 Dec 09 - 11:25 AM

Still trying to catch up ? --

I know you didn't finish your last year yet --

Our Eisteddfod this year was smashing -- aye -- even without you --

Enoch Kent, Norman Kennedy, Geordie McIntire and Alison McMorland --

Held up your end - kept it going -- did very well --

Someone sent this link along today -- I don't get to this sort of thing myself --

So I hope you see it -- bringing to mind "those good old days that's awa" --

Some in Assonet still ask about you -- "you got it!" --

Have you seen Tim Neat's new book on Hamish -- a nice bit of work --

"Howard, your birth In January, on a Tuesday,
in Brooklyn, NY makes you one of the rare few
able to receive the ancient powers of the Runes.
Magic is already written in your DNA.
The circumstances of your birth suggest that you
are quite probably a direct descendant of a Rune Shaman"...
    So wrote Bethea today --

Ray -- I will do what I can -- Howard

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: GUEST,Helen Howard
Date: 05 Dec 09 - 01:26 PM

It is a long time now since I last saw you Ray,(we moved to Ireland,) it was at Whitby we sat and chatted about being a bit 'older ladies' with flashy cars,such a laugh! We put it down to being fellow Sagittarians! You are in my prayers, get well soon, also you must be near your birthday too, so Happy Birthday wishes when it comes.
Much Love, Helen

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: Wolfhound person
Date: 05 Dec 09 - 01:56 PM

Ray's birthday was at the end of November and unfortunately she spent it in hospital, but she was deluged in cards & flowers, I believe.

However, I spoke to Colin at lunchtime today and he says that Ray is on a full dose of supplementary feeding (they do it at nights). Their younger son, and daughter & families are around this weekend: if everything is OK on Monday she might come home then or Tuesday, but it'll be a long haul back for her to any sort of normal.

I'll keep supplying updates for as long as folk are interested. Please continue to keep her in your thoughts. It's been tough on Colin as well as he's not in the best of health himself.

Paws

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: Folkiedave
Date: 05 Dec 09 - 04:31 PM

Thanks Paws. Keep the stuff coming.

Like Kevin, I have memories of her at the National. At this year's Whitby I saw her twice. On one occasion she sang a spine chilling ballad at the ballad session. It was wonderful.

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 05 Dec 09 - 08:09 PM

On the subject of Ray at the National.... I heard that one year, when I uncharacteristically decided to have an early night, I missed Ray dancing the tango with John K with a rose between her teeth.... or did I just dream that someone told me that...?

Kitty

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 05 Dec 09 - 08:34 PM

I never was lucky enough to hear Ray live, but enjoy the recordings I've got. Get well soon, Ray, and start singing again!

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: GUEST,Ewan McVicar
Date: 06 Dec 09 - 05:29 AM

I have known and loved Ray since she was a jazz singer in a vamp dress in Glasgow 1957 or so, and her big brother made her sing in his new group, telling Norman Buchan he couildn't get a girl singer so he got one of his sisters.
Ray, keep working on it, we need you.
Ewan

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: Folkiedave
Date: 06 Dec 09 - 05:35 AM

The first time I saw anyone really take the mickey out of folk was at Cleethorpes Festival - one of the very first on the pier.

The highlight of the ceilidh was a woman's rapper team dressed as bunny girls in the full works, fishnets, push-ups and little white fluffy tails.

Ray was the Tommy in fill black evening coat, bow tie,stilettos and so on.

And Kate Atkinson did a tumble.

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: Joe Nicholson
Date: 06 Dec 09 - 07:27 PM

Hi Ray Maureen will bring her big glass to Whitby again full of the usual. Get better soon and we hope to see you there

Love Joe Maureen Nicholson.

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 09:18 AM

Hi Ray,
Only just saw the thread saying your've been unwell again "silly wumman! Ye need tae eat fur god's sake!" Glad to hear you're back on the mend and givin' in laldy. Lots of love Moira and Malc xx

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: Diva
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 10:49 AM

Very many happy memories of Ray at Newcastleton Festival over a number of years doing the official bits in the judging and then in the late night singarounds upstairs in the Unionist.....with the very out of tune piano..ready girls......ah one ahhh two..ahh three...all sing



Oh the games people play........


and know I know about the tango!!!!!!

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: Wheatman
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 02:34 PM

I remember the bunnies rapper but at the Guild Hall Newcastle for a Northumbrian Pipers do. I was with Sallport then, I think.

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: Folkiedave
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 03:07 PM

I hadn't realised they had done it twice. The little bunnies.

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: GUEST,Pat Ryan
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 05:17 PM

Hope you're feeling better very soon.
Great to see you at Whitby this year.
Hope you are soon up & about & loooooking for a boooooking.
Lots of love
Pat xx

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: Wolfhound person
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 04:00 AM

I saw Colin last night and he tells me that her feed line insertion has an infection, and I'm not sure whether they can use it. She is beginning to sleep a lot, and is in a great deal of pain.

He is distraught, but is a very private person and is difficult to help effectively, though a few of us are doing our best.

I hope to see Ray again on Weds pm.

Paws

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: GUEST,Andymac
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 05:17 AM

Ach,

From the earlier news, I was assuming that she was well on the road to recovery. Still..this is just a wee setback. Come on Ray, we're all pulling for you...I'm goign to Whitby for the first time this year and after all the stories above, I hope to see you there.

Andy

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: maeve
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 05:51 AM

Thank you, Paws.

Ray and Colin- You are both in our thoughts and prayers.

naeve

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: Dave Hunt
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 07:19 AM

Rae and Archie were probably the first singers I ever met - 48 years ago (1961!)- at Festival Late in Edinburgh - They were instrumental in kindling a passion for traditional music and song that has been the core of my life ever since. So very best wishes Rae
love ands big hugs xxx Dave Hunt (Dr.Sunshine)

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: maeve
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 07:36 AM

Right: I'm going to spend the next several days listening to Ray's singing on the cds she gave me. I'll find several that speak to me most strongly and learn them by heart...an act of friendship, respect, and honor.

maeve

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: Folkiedave
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 07:49 AM

They were instrumental in kindling a passion for traditional music and song that has been the core of my life ever since.

There are so many that could say that Dave. Me too.

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: GUEST,Gordeanna McCulloch
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 02:32 PM

Here's another one you've touched, helped and taught over the years. All my love and best wishes, Ray take it easy and let others take the strain for a change. We're all rooting for you.

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: Pistachio
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 02:35 PM

I've heard so much about Ray and wish I'd seen her at Whitby in the summer. I looked forward to her gig at Foresters Beverley on 30th Nov but we had to 'make do' with John O'Hagan. (A fine substitute)

Very best wishes to all.
Hazel.

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: GUEST,moira(flying cat)
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 02:54 PM

lots of love and good thoughts heading to you Ray, You know everyone is thinking of you and if we could pool all our love for you into a parcel we'd send it up to help you get better. xx

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: GUEST,Marie Dufresne
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 12:17 AM

I had the pleasure of hosting Ray & Cilla a number of times at The Chocolate Church in Bath Maine and the last time w/Archie as well.

We never got much sleep but we sure laughed alot !

Best wishes Ray--please get well soon -there is no one who has the perfect sense of a song than you- just knowing your there making everyone laugh makes up for the long time since last we met.

Good,good thoughts.

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: Wolfhound person
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 12:46 PM

I've seen Ray this afternoon, and although she's on antibiotics for pneumonia and the feed line isn't working entirely satisfactorily, she looks a little less thin than last week. She had a *VERY* bad day yesterday, and Colin feared the worst, but she seems to have stabilised for the moment.

I've passed on all the messages to the one above this and the various PM's I've had.

I think we all need to continue keeping fingers crossed / lighting candles / learning songs / applying to pet deities (whatever presses your buttons), and I'm sure she appreciates messages - so if anyone wants to send anything, use the address that's somewhere further up the thread.

She'll be in hospital a while yet even if improvement is steady.

Paws

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: maeve
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 12:54 PM

Paws- Thank you very much for your contacts with Ray and Colin and your generous information posted here. It means a great deal.

They are continually in my thoughts.

maeve

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: GUEST,Enoch Kent..
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 04:04 PM

Dear Ray,
         You'd know it is me if you could hear me... that damned rough Glasgow accent keeps following me around.
Before I heard you were 'no weel' I got a CD from an old Union Man on Vancouver Island British Columbia to remind me of him and the music we'd discussed while I was there.
Now who should appear among his favourites, singing, "Far Over The North ", but yersel'
Absolutely fabulous, so good that I went all sentimental and forgot why I left my homeland.
Then I remembered my description of Glasgow when I was describing my city to Canadians, " it's very wet and has no prospects "
We need you ,so get well,
Love, Enoch

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: Wheatman
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 04:10 PM

not a lot one can add, Dr Sunshine said it all. Gan canny bonny lass we are rooting for you!!!
Brian and Christine

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: GUEST,john greaves
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 04:20 PM

Poor Ray, its just not fair, we all love and need you.
Hope for a speedy recovery, the world needs cheering up!

                john

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: GUEST,EKanne
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 05:55 PM

Dear Ray,
Was in touch with a pal from the early days in Glasgow -- Andy Hunter -- and he was most upset to hear what you're going through and asked if I could pass on his best wishes. Like everyone else on this thread, he has fond memories of good singing and some nonsense by the by!
And inevitably we went on to talk about Jeannie Robertson and the impact she had on you both -- good times to hold onto when it gets hard.

Love and best wishes,
Anne.

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: GUEST,Steve Dawes & Helen Pitt
Date: 10 Dec 09 - 02:47 PM

We are so sorry to hear that Ray is so unwell.

Her singing has been an inspiration to both of us and she is a very special person. We were unable to get to Whitby festival this year but hope to be there in 2010, and to see Ray performing there!

We send our heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery.

Helen & Steve

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: The Sandman
Date: 10 Dec 09 - 05:50 PM

get well soon.

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: Dame Pattie Smith EPNS
Date: 10 Dec 09 - 08:03 PM

Hiya Ray, I've heard you are bad in bed under the doctor with a shawl on. Please get better soon, lots of love from Wales. X Pat

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: Wolfhound person
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 05:55 PM

I saw Ray again this pm and passed on the latest batch of good wishes from this thread - she is quite overcome that everyone has bothered to write in, but is very happy to hear from folk.

Medically the news is mixed - the doctors are treating her pneumonia and another infection, and attempting to supplement her feeding as much as possible. She is awaiting the result of tests done on a suspicious lump found on her liver, but even if this turns out to need attention, nothing can be done whilst she has multiple infections.

Meanwhile she was having a good laugh with her friend Di, who also engineered a call from Cilla F which engendered much amusement.
She's cheerful, but in pain, and the news is not all good.It's a waiting game at present.

Paws

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: Gillie
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 06:13 PM

Sending you healing thoughts Ray, hope that you get though all these set backs and yes, laughter and sleep is the best medicine!
Clare (((((((Hugs)))))))

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: GUEST,Sharyn Staley NZ
Date: 12 Dec 09 - 02:17 AM

Sorry to hear Ray is not well. Thoughts are with her for a quick recovery before Christmas and hope she'll be singing again soon

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: maeve
Date: 12 Dec 09 - 04:33 PM

Have a good night, Ray and Colin. Your friends and admirers around the world are thinking of you both. We'll be here waiting in the morning light.

maeve

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Dec 09 - 10:43 AM

Ray, you were a big part of my introduction to folk clubs in the late '50s-early '60s at The Liberal Club in Newcastle. Your amazing voice has been instantly recognisable on the radio ever since. Typing this in Bardon Mill on my way home from a gig I might not have been doing had it not been for the confidence you inspired in me as a youngster.
Keep laughing Ray - I remember you playing a guitar and singing at The Bridge a good many years ago. Your guitar 'strap' was actually a dressing gown cord with a tassle on each end. As you rocked gently in time to the song, the tassle dipped neatly in and out of someone's whiskey glass, Laurie's I think, slowly emptying it over the table. I never said anything, just enjoyed the sideshow!
Frank Lee.

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: maeve
Date: 14 Dec 09 - 11:58 AM

Good morning, Ray and Colin. Here in Maine the sun is shining and the snow is melting.

I hope you both experience some sunny times today.

maeve

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: Wolfhound person
Date: 14 Dec 09 - 03:56 PM

Ray had a very bad day on Sat. but was better on Sunday, according to Colin at lunchtime today. They're still waiting for the results of tests (this week, hopefully) and the doctors are concentrating on clearing her infections. Her surgeon described her to Colin as "resilient", and is apparently happy with her 'progress'.

It's going to be a very long haul for both of them.

Paws

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: maeve
Date: 14 Dec 09 - 04:01 PM

"Resilient" is good. Thank you, Paws.

maeve

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: GUEST,moira(flyingcat)
Date: 15 Dec 09 - 03:25 AM

Paws, thanks for keeping us all updated. Please keep passing our love and good wishes to Ray and to Colin and the rest of the family. Moira and Malc xx

Subject: RE: Ray Fisher unwell: good thoughts, please
From: Wolfhound person
Date: 15 Dec 09 - 04:52 AM

100 (my first) and thanks to everyone who has / is contributing. It is helping both of them to know that lots of people are thinking of them.

I've watched Ray read every message when I take the printouts in, and she knows and remembers most of you, and is quite overcome with your kindness.

Paws