Funeral Mark Longster- 17 Dec, Knaresborough.

Subject: Funeral Mark Longster
From: snapperspike
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 07:08 AM

I have spoken to Karen this morning, and the arrangements are now confirmed as follows :-

Thursday December 17th at 11.00 am
St Johns Church
Knaresborough.

And after at the

Cedar Court Hotel
Park Parade off Knaresborough Road
Harrogate
HG1 5AH


Karen has requested no flowers please, but donations to The local paliative nurses, and/or the Leeds Kidney Patients Association.

She thanks everybody for their kind wishes, and is very touched and moved by the warm tributes on this site. She told me it had "given her strength and kept her going, to know how loved and respected Mark was".

I would ask if everyone could spread the message, because it has become clear, that some people don't have access to this site or email, and so did not know the news untill seeing someone in person.So if you think someone might not be aware of these arrangements, please contact them.
I would like to thank everyone myself for their messages to me personally during this devastating period - Thanks people, it means a lot.


Spike

---

Obituary thread (click)

Subject: RE: Funeral Mark Longster
From: GUEST,Roger Knowles
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 07:35 AM

Spike,
I'll pass the message along as requested, and be there on the 17th.
Roger

Subject: RE: Funeral Mark Longster
From: Two of a Hind
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 08:18 AM

Ann picked the email up last night about the passing of our good friend Mark, we were very sad to hear the news, we will miss him dearly at the festivals , his company and good humour. I'm sure his music will live on through his songs.
Terry and Ann
And all those who knew Mark from Newport Folk Club

Subject: RE: Funeral Mark Longster
From: GUEST,Jo Allen
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 10:47 AM

I only knew Mark from the Half Moon but he was a very special person who gave me the confidence to enjoy music after many years of shutting myself off. I know there are many people who now have a very lonely place in their lives but his memory will be there whenever anyone sings - I know that he will not be forgotten.

Subject: RE: Funeral Mark Longster
From: snapperspike
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 11:47 AM

Thank you people.

Spike

Subject: RE: Funeral Mark Longster
From: snapperspike
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 03:46 PM

bttt

Subject: RE: Funeral Mark Longster- 17 Dec, Knaresborough.
From: snapperspike
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 08:40 AM

Hi all, I have a request from Marks widow Karen regarding the funeral.
She requests that :-
"would like it if people wore at least one item of brightly coloured clothing to the funeral. Although I know that everyone will shed a lot more tears, we all want the day to be a celebration of Marks life."
Good on her and the family, cos knowing mosy of us musso types, that would be more in keeping with the peacock tendencies of most of you !!!
We also had some inquieries regarding taking instruments to Cedar Court after the service.
Karen is checking with the venue, and will get back to me as soon as she can.
Please spread the word, and thanks again for all your kindness and support.

Spike

Subject: RE: Funeral Mark Longster- 17 Dec, Knaresborough.
From: snapperspike
Date: 10 Dec 09 - 04:31 AM

bttt

Subject: RE: Funeral Mark Longster- 17 Dec, Knaresborough.
From: snapperspike
Date: 10 Dec 09 - 09:11 AM

Some people have enquired about location/getting to the churh.
Here is a link to their web site, and a map is on there for location.
http://www.achurchnearyou.com/knaresborough-st-john-the-baptist/

Thanks to all
Spike

Subject: RE: Funeral Mark Longster- 17 Dec, Knaresborough.
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 10:58 AM

refresh

Subject: Mark Longster - Wake
From: snapperspike
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 11:58 AM

In case other threads are bumped off :-

Hello all. I have just received word from Marks widow Karen, that it is OK TO BRING INSTRUMENTS TO CEDAR COURT, on the condition, that NOTHING is done untill after people have eaten and had a chat, so LET'S 'AVE YER !!
Also below, is the obit that will appear in Tykes News in the spring addition.
Karen wanted it placed here and anywhere else people from out the area might read it.
Thank you all again

Spike



                        Mark Longster R.I.P.

It is with the greatest sadness, and profound sorrow, that I have to inform the many people who had the pleasure to know him, and admire him, of the passing on Dec 5th, of Mark Longster, after a short illness.
Beloved husband to Karen, and adored father to Caitlin, his leaving was very sudden, and too soon.
Many knew Mark was seriously ill, but this did not decrease the shock felt by the news.

He was known throughout the folk and country scene, for that "dark brown voice", which had effects on large members of the population not unlike a gallon of Babycham, and a kilo of chocolate !! The power and subtlety of that voice could take you from the highest high to the lowest low, from one song to another, whilst his soft and gentle manner between, lulled you into a false sense of security unprepared for the next vocal assault on your emotions. A velvet hammer.

I was proud to call him my best friend for many years, and to most that knew him, that would give you an idea of some of the amazing times we had playing together up and down the country over the years. He really WAS as laid back as he seemed (most of the time !), which led me to often say that "I'd wake him up when the next song started"!!

He was not only a good guitar player, but to my great envy and annoyance, played most instruments with strings on, including the mandolin, mandola, bouzouki, banjo and even the violin!!
He would practically have a hernia laughing at me, after frequently trying to show me how to play this circus of instruments, and my complete failure to be able to do so !

The encouragement of others.
There are lots of you out there, who I know, owe Mark a debt of gratitude for his encouragement and support in starting out playing in public, or coming back into performing. He was a firm believer in the open house style of sing arounds, regardless of the genre (well maybe excepting modern jazz, and boy bands !!) As such, he would cajole, persuade, and encourage, anyone with the wish to perform, and would even accompany them if necessary. He had time for everyone.

He was a firm supporter of many folk clubs, and visited as many as he could when health allowed, as long as he could "get a go", he'd go there. He was also well respected as an organiser of clubs and concerts, The popular Thursday night Mill Folk, at past and present venue, and the famous monthly concerts at Pannal, where the biggest names in folk were happy to come and perform because Mark was organising it ,were just two of the many venues he was involved in over the years, which I know many, many people have, and still, enjoy. He liked making people happy. He made a lot of people happy, especially when playing with other people.

Over the last few years, he has enjoyed fantastic partnerships with Michael Forsythe as Copper Kettle, with Ann Jackson and Chris Rawnsley as Northern Lights, with Iain Glover as Early Doors. With Roger Knowles, Malc Deveraux, Duncan McFarlane, Gerry McNeice, some bloke called Spike, as a rock god lead guitarist with the Davy Young band, (yes really !!) and the myriad of other talented people over many many genres. He loved making music.

Away from the music, he and I shared the other major passion in his life - FISHING !
I persuaded him (eventually!) to became involved in my passion of carp fishing. Long lovely sun-kissed days and evenings in the summer, pursuing the impossible. I will always remember with pride and joy his delight at catching his first 20lb carp.
He in turn introduced me to getting cold, wet, miserable, frustrated and hypothermic trying to catch cod from a beach ! I always thought there was something slightly wrong about THAT deal !!
I remember him (again!) being reduced to a state of helplessness and having to retire to the car for safety, at me losing a large cod at Whitby, because the reel became detached from the rod, and him not helping me because (he SAID) he couldn't hear me because of the wind. (despite him standing there with tears rolling down his face!) Eeeee we did laugh (not)

And that's something we did do. We laughed - a lot. Not just me either, but most people who met him. He possessed a rapier-like wit and speed of response, that always made me smile when combined with that laid back delivery and voice. You were helpless.

So, Mark is no longer with us. His memory, his spirit and his soul, will go on however. He left a legacy of kindness and admiration that so many will carry for a long time.
I always tell people, if you want to hear Mark doing what he does best, and me doing my backroom bit at the max, listen to the track "Gone to Sea" from his album of self penned songs Looking Back.
Now THAT'S my mate.

He was my best friend, mentor and like my brother. I miss him terribly.
"He was a man, and a friend always"

Goodbye mate we WILL meet again one day.


Spike

Subject: RE: Mark Longster - Wake
From: snapperspike
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 03:38 PM

I have just had a contact from Karen, regards the church, and arrival and departure.
She has talked to the vicar, and has said the following :-

"Rev Sewell says to direct people to leave a different way to the way they come in. They need to come in down Bond end on Church street, opposite the Dowerhouse. When they leave they continue past the church, up Vicarage Lane and turn left onto the High Street. This avoids the traffic lights on Chuch Lane which apparantly take 4 minutes to change and only let about 2 cars out at a time."

This is obvious if you look on the map on the church website, but I will try and do some paper maps from the church to the Cedar Court as well.


Best wishes to all

Spike.

Subject: RE: Funeral Mark Longster- 17 Dec, Knaresborough.
From: snapperspike
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 03:39 PM

I have just had a contact from Karen, regards the church, and arrival and departure.
She has talked to the vicar, and has said the following :-

"Rev Sewell says to direct people to leave a different way to the way they come in. They need to come in down Bond end on Church street, opposite the Dowerhouse. When they leave they continue past the church, up Vicarage Lane and turn left onto the High Street. This avoids the traffic lights on Chuch Lane which apparantly take 4 minutes to change and only let about 2 cars out at a time."

This is obvious if you look on the map on the church website, but I will try and do some paper maps from the church to the Cedar Court as well.


Best wishes to all

Spike.

Subject: RE: Funeral Mark Longster- 17 Dec, Knaresborough.
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Dec 09 - 07:48 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Funeral Mark Longster- 17 Dec, Knaresborough.
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Dec 09 - 09:30 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Funeral Mark Longster- 17 Dec, Knaresborough.
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Dec 09 - 11:07 AM

The sad day is tommorow, and a quick refresh that :-

At least one item of coloured clothing to be worn please
Instruments are ok at the Cedar Court later, but after meet, greet and eat, and the food.

Many, many thanks to all, the number and depth of the messages has been amazing, and reflect how well liked Mark was.

I will with profound regret, see you all tommorrow.

Best wishes

Spike

Subject: RE: Funeral Mark Longster- 17 Dec, Knaresborough.
From: GUEST,Guest Derek Reed
Date: 16 Dec 09 - 11:20 AM

Really sorry to hear about Mark

I knew him from sessions in Whitby and Otley he is a great loss to the folk world

I have had some really great times in his company and I admired his songwriting and delivery

My thoughts are with his family and close friends

He will not be forgotten

Sincerely Derek

Subject: RE: Funeral Mark Longster- 17 Dec, Knaresborough.
From: GUEST,Tom Bliss
Date: 16 Dec 09 - 05:42 PM

I'm afraid I shall not be able to make it after all, a minor upsurge of an old problem has me esconsed in Jimmys.

But I shall be thinking of you all, and Mark, tomorrow.

God Speed

Tom