2010 Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool

Subject: Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 07 Oct 10 - 08:14 AM

I was informed last night that Keith Davis, one time fool with Mansfield Morris Men has died.
I don't think he came on Mudcat, but was well known and recognised by his deerstalker hat and tea-chest bass, often found in the Black Horse during Whitby Folk Week.
My thoughts are with his sons.
Quack!
Geoff.

Subject: RE: Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: Banjo-Flower
Date: 07 Oct 10 - 10:00 AM

Sad to Hear this, many fond memories of the Plough Yard in Whitby Folk Weeks

Gerry

Subject: RE: Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: gnomad
Date: 07 Oct 10 - 10:20 AM

Sorry to hear this. I only met him a few times, but he seemed a good sort.

Do we know what happened to him?

Subject: RE: Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: r.padgett
Date: 07 Oct 10 - 11:39 AM

Yes sorry to hear this Geoff

Nice lad!

Ray

Subject: RE: Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: Les from Hull
Date: 07 Oct 10 - 12:29 PM

Another good lad gone. Good thoughts to family and friends.

Les and Maggie

Subject: RE: Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 07 Oct 10 - 12:32 PM

I don't have much information. Keith lived alone and it wasn't expected.
I am just trying to pass on the bad news to friends who might otherwise not hear.
I for one have many happy memories of Keith, both as a Morris Dancer with Mansfield, and as a member of Whitby Scratch Morris during Folk Week over a lot of years.
I remember impromptu sessions in the front room of the Black Horse and wondering how he managed to produce a tea chest out of thin air at the drop of a hat.
I remember long chats about nothing in particular and a person whose company I enjoyed.
He will be missed.
Quack!
Geoff.

Subject: RE: Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: GUEST,guest Alan Whittle
Date: 07 Oct 10 - 12:42 PM

Sorry to hear this.

As I remember, Keith had a little trio who were very popular and in great demand on the old peoples homes circuit. Heard him raise the rafters many times at The Brown Cow with his version of 'Green and Yeller'.

A very affable man.

Subject: RE: Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: Wyrd Sister
Date: 07 Oct 10 - 01:02 PM

I saw Jane's post on Fbook but didn't realise that was who it was. I sahll miss his cheery face.

Apparently funeral is next Wednesday, I've just been told!

Subject: RE: Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 07 Oct 10 - 01:16 PM

I'll check what sort of funeral arrangements there are and only post details with permission.
Quack!
Geoff.

Subject: RE: Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: r.padgett
Date: 07 Oct 10 - 03:37 PM

I have emailed Murph and Jude Knight and Chris Mullins

they may know already

Subject: RE: Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: mouldy
Date: 08 Oct 10 - 04:36 AM

I have so many memories of him from Ian's days with Mansfield MM. Somewhere I have a 1987 video of him on the Mayday danceout, doing Banbury Bill and moaning loudly through it, "I hate this bloody dance!".

Always remember his motto - Hugs are free: stop me and try one.

He was a very huggable man.

Andrea

Subject: RE: Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: GUEST,MC Fat (at work)
Date: 08 Oct 10 - 04:42 AM

Sad news indeed

Subject: RE: Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: Joules
Date: 08 Oct 10 - 11:05 AM

He was a very huggable man, memories of dancing with him in among tables and chairs at the brown cow much to everyone else's amusement. We lose yet another Folkie to a better ? place

Subject: RE: Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: GUEST,Steamin' Willie
Date: 08 Oct 10 - 11:40 AM

I often used to jam along with Odds & Sods where Keith would pluck away on the tea chest bass. I used to say "Give me an A" and he would pull back on the broom handle and pluck the rope. be buggered if it wasn't an A.... (ish)

Only talking about him last week with a mutual friend at a folk club....

Subject: RE: Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: mouldy
Date: 08 Oct 10 - 01:15 PM

The post-dancing session where he slung his leg up onto said tea chest....and split his hoggers from zip to waistband at the Fox & Hounds, Blidworth Bottoms (no pun intended)...that will live with me for ever!

He was a generous hearted man - a budgie breeder, I believe, at one time - who had time for everybody.

Andrea

Subject: RE: Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: GUEST,DICKY BOY
Date: 08 Oct 10 - 02:13 PM

Such sad news, many happy times over the years ,God bless you old mate x

Subject: RE: Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: mouldy
Date: 09 Oct 10 - 05:51 AM

I swear they must be starting a side on the "other side" - I know of 4 dancers for certain, including squire, fool and hobby horse, plus a musician, from Mansfield that have gone in the last 20 years.

Andrea

Subject: RE: Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: Joules
Date: 09 Oct 10 - 05:56 AM

Spoke to Murph last night as we are both at Banbury Festival and he told me details for Milky's funeral. Not too sure about privacy issues and stuff so if you want any details might be better if you PM me. Murph didn't say it was going to be a private funeral so I, hopefully, will be going

Subject: RE: Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 09 Oct 10 - 06:50 AM

I have just received an e-mail sent out by the current Squire of The Morris Ring concerning Keith's funeral. It is relevant to those of us who knew Keith as Morris Dancers.

Here is the text of the message :-

It is with great personal sadness I have to announce the death of an old Morris stalwart & personal friend 'Milky' Keith Davis who was the former fool of the (now defunct) Mansfield Morris Men.

Keith was a familiar figure in his jester's hat at many a Morris and folk do. Larger than life, always great fun but held in high regard for his dedication to quality Morris dancing. Many of us are better dancers today by dint of his careful tutelage.

I have spoken to Keith's son Miles re funeral arrangements.

It will be a Quaker service at Mansfield Crematorium (NG18 5BJ) at 2pm on Wednesday 13th October.

We are invited to wear own club kit (please remove bells for the service). Jack will play outside the Crem afterwards.

When the service is complete, we shall adjourn to the Greyhound Inn, (82 High St Mansfield Woodhouse, Mansfield NG19 8BD, 01623 464403) where the Ghost of Mansfield Morris & company will play & entertain until midnight. Presumably there will be ample opportunity to dance there.

Morris on
Peter J Halfpenney
Squire of the Morris Ring

Ducks will be attending and raising a glass in memory.
Quack!
Geoff.

Subject: RE: Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: mouldy
Date: 09 Oct 10 - 01:16 PM

I knew he had become a Quaker, so it will probably be a little different to the norm.

I've been to a Quaker memorial meeting held for one of Terpsichore's musicians, who had been buried privately a few weeks earlier and it was an unforgettable experience.

I probably won't be able to go, but I will be there in spirit.

Andrea

Subject: RE: Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 10 Oct 10 - 03:58 PM

I daresay that The Ghost may need explaining - The Ghost of Mansfield Morris.
Quack!
Geoff.

Subject: RE: Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Sep 14 - 09:02 AM

Subject: RE: Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 06 Sep 14 - 10:59 AM

only just read this. very sad. we had many pissed up chats together.

Subject: RE: Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 07 Sep 14 - 04:31 AM

Strange this thread resurfacing today.

Last night I chanced across a clip on Youtube recorded by someone at Whitby Folk Week in 1989 (that's what it says).
The start and end are Feet First Appalachian display team, but in the middle is Keith dancing with Whitby Scratch Morris.

Quack!
Geoff.

Subject: RE: Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 07 Sep 14 - 04:38 AM

I forgot to pot the link!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=90NPl9t1rf4

That should do it!
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: Musket
Date: 07 Sep 14 - 04:54 AM

Aye. Only last week I was playing with some mates and thought Keith's tea chest would have fitted in perfectly. Not to mention Jack's melodeon.

Good friends, sadly missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 07 Sep 14 - 11:56 AM

I am sorry that I missed this thread at the time. Still, I wouldn't have seen the video! I've added Keith to the "In Memoriam" thread now. My condolences to all who knew and love him.

RIP

Peter

Subject: RE: Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: GUEST,Jill BRAMMER JONES
Date: 12 Apr 16 - 12:09 PM

I have been out of circulation for a while and only found this today. It's a very sad news to discover as milky was a proper gent. He was kind, cheeky and full of fun and great in any session. Lovely sons too. My thoughts go to them. Myles if you see this look me up it would be lovely to catch up.
Keith will be much missed
Jill x

Subject: RE: 2010 Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Oct 17 - 05:41 PM

Hi all, I'll be at Murphy's send off on Friday, maybe see some of you there. Myles

Subject: RE: 2010 Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Oct 17 - 09:03 PM

Welcome to Myles, son of Milky, Mudcat's newest member.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: 2010 Obit: 'Milky' Keith - Mansfield Morris Fool
From: Myles-Son of Milky
Date: 15 Oct 17 - 02:13 AM

Thanks Joe