Obit: Doug Garrett, Sussex Broadwood ex-Herga

Subject: Obit: Doug Garrett, Sussex Broadwood ex-Herga
From: Janet Elizabeth
Date: 29 Oct 10 - 06:49 AM

Not sure if anyone (Kitty?) knew Doug Garrett but I gather he used to go to Herga. He was a dancer, and treasurer, with Broadwood Morris and Scottish country dance clubs in Sussex and went to Sidmouth and WOMAD.

Doug was a lovely, gentle man, softly spoken, gregarious and very fond of people of all sorts; he always knew what to say to make people laugh and relax when an awkward silence occurred - when a dancer got something wrong, for example, and his presence was always a great asset to any group. He was a peacemaker.

He recently had an allergy to wasp stings and when he came across a nest last Saturday, was stung too often for his epi-pen to save him. Newspapers reported his death, eg http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/8476106.Henfield_man_dies_after_wasp_sting/ and http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/207973/3-stings-by-wasps-kill-gardening-pensioner but of course some of the details are wrong.

His death is a great shock to his Sussex friends and he will be greatly missed here by his many friends and fellow-dancers.

If anyone knew Doug (tall, slim, 60s, bearded... hmm) from Herga, Sidmouth or WOMAD perhaps, please feel free to add your condolences here.

Elizabeth

Subject: RE: Obit: Doug Garrett, Sussex Broadwood ex-Herga
From: Tim Edwards
Date: 29 Oct 10 - 01:10 PM

Thank-you for posting this Elizabeth but what terrible news! Having known Doug over many years from Herga I can echo your description of him as a kindly gentle guy. Recently I tended to meet him just at festivals as we live a long way apart but having seen him only a few weeks ago it is a great shock to realise that was the last time.
Can I add my condolences to all his family and friends? -- we'll miss a good man.

Tim

Subject: RE: Obit: Doug Garrett, Sussex Broadwood ex-Herga
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 29 Oct 10 - 01:41 PM

Elizabeth - thanks for passing on the news, but as Tim said, it's an awful shock. I saw Doug at a festival in the summer (Sidmouth, I think), but at a distance, and didn't get a chance to say hello. My condolences and deep sympathy to all his family and friends.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Obit: Doug Garrett, Sussex Broadwood ex-Herga
From: Alan Day
Date: 29 Oct 10 - 02:02 PM

Very sad news, I cannot remember Doug from my Broadwood days ,but I still see many of The Broadwood Men including Harry Mousdell who started Broadwood.I will make a point of finding out.
Al

Subject: RE: Obit: Doug Garrett, Sussex Broadwood ex-Herga
From: GUEST,Dinah Taylor
Date: 29 Oct 10 - 02:35 PM

I knew Douglas for many years - Bromyard Folk Festival, Herga, Broadwood, Sidmouth, WOMAD, travelling and he introduced me to Scottish dancing.   I have lost a very close friend and will miss him.   Condolences to all his other friends.

Dinah

Subject: RE: Obit: Doug Garrett, Sussex Broadwood ex-Herga
From: Bob TB
Date: 29 Oct 10 - 03:21 PM

Like Tim & Kitty I saw Doug at Sidmouth and expected to see him there next year. He was a lovely, gentle man and will be greatly missed.

Back in the 70s he was a regular at Herga Folk club and the Herga Ceilidhs as well as dancing with the Herga Morrismen. He also organised ceilidhs at the Tythe Barn in Harrow. Another good friend lost.

Bob

Subject: RE: Obit: Doug Garrett, Sussex Broadwood ex-Herga
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Oct 10 - 04:35 PM

Jane Francis nee Roberts/Taylor

I remember Douglas from the 70s when I first discovered ceilidhs in Harrow, where I made several new friends. Douglas was a lovely person; the life and soul of the party. I last saw him I think when I went to WOMAD about 6 years ago.Dinah was there and took me to see Douglas again. He was the same bright person who had matured like us all.

I am so sad and shocked to hear he has met this strange fate. Ours is not to know why. Condolences to his family and all who knew him; he will be sadly missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Doug Garrett, Sussex Broadwood ex-Herga
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 29 Oct 10 - 07:45 PM

Like the others from Herga I remember Doug well from the club and the dances that were related the the club. I haven't seen him for many years, but remember him as a friendly, fun guy.

My condolences to his family and friends.

Mick

Subject: RE: Obit: Doug Garrett, Sussex Broadwood ex-Herga
From: GUEST,John Heydon
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 01:07 PM

I just heard fro Babs and Mike Surridge who thought I might know Doug, which of course I did, through Herga. Like every one else, I was shocked and sorry to hear to hear the news of his death.

I suppose many of us lost regular contact with Doug when he moved to Sussex although he kept in contact with me when he sought advice on running ceilidhs on a regular basis near where he lived.

Doug also used my firm's professional services when seeking financial advice on various occasions.

I also chatted to Doug at this year's Sidmouth Festival for a short while- I now wish it was for a little longer.

As others have already said - A good man of cheerful and relaxed disposition - My condolences to family and friends

Subject: RE: Obit: Doug Garrett, Sussex Broadwood ex-Herga
From: GUEST,Caroline and Kevin Kleyn
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 03:43 PM

This has come as a great shock as he and Annie only came up to the Midlands to see us the Wednesday before he died. I have known him nearly forty years and he was always a true friend. We will miss him. Our love goes to Annie and Oakley.

Subject: RE: Obit: Doug Garrett, Sussex Broadwood ex-Herga
From: GUEST,Babs and Mike Surridge
Date: 31 Oct 10 - 05:41 AM

Before we do our message can anyone tell us details of the funeral ?. We were told 5th November at 11.40,at Worthing Crem.... but were advised yesterday that the coroner has prevented this going ahead.

We have known Doug for forty years and first met at the Berkshire Midsummer Festival....and for a good decade at almost every festival in the calendar as well. We count him amongst our closest friends, and are obviously shocked to learn of his death. He and Dinah came to our wedding (albeit arriving when it was almost over as they had been to something else first!!) and the beautiful album that they gave us now houses our wedding photos.

Unlike many others we almost had more contact with Doug AFTER he moved to Henfield and we 'camped'on his drive in the campervan on several occasions. With godchildren in Worthing Doug was pleased to host us as we descended to attend weddings, christenings, and on one occasion a funeral. Since moving to Suffolk we have found Sidmouth too far but have usually met up with Doug at Bromyard, and always had a good 'catch up' over coffee after the folk festival church service. How poignant that Doug's tragic death came (by one day) on the ninth anniversary of Kay's death. We offer our condolences to Annie, his step children and to his friends.

Babs and Mike

Subject: RE: Obit: Doug Garrett, Sussex Broadwood ex-Herga
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Oct 10 - 12:14 PM

Thank you for your condolences and messages; I have passed them on to Annie and will pass to the family when I next speak to them.
If you would like Annie's address etc, please call me (01273 504506) or e-mail me (jer123 and that's at janetelizabeth.org.uk) and I'll put you in touch. Similarly for Doug's family.
We have no date fixed for the funeral, but I will post it as soon poss. To help Doug's family, I'll also be asking you for numbers coming.
Thanks again for your kind messages.
Elizabeth

Subject: RE: Obit: Doug Garrett, Sussex Broadwood ex-Herga
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 31 Oct 10 - 06:37 PM

Elizabeth - thanks for the update.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Obit: Doug Garrett, Sussex Broadwood ex-Herga
From: Janet Elizabeth
Date: 03 Nov 10 - 02:07 PM

A date for Doug's funeral is still unconfirmed, as the coroner has not released the body, but a provisional booking has been made for Friday 12th November in Worthing, Sussex, with a reception afterwards in Henfield, 8 miles north of Worthing. More news when I have it. Janet Elizabeth.

Subject: RE: Obit: Doug Garrett, Sussex Broadwood ex-Herga
From: GUEST,Australians
Date: 03 Nov 10 - 08:16 PM

Comments received from Australian friends whom we met while travelling in Thailand:

Can't believe the news about Douglas! He was good company and very kind and thoughtful. We have some very happy memories of time with him.

Dinah

Subject: RE: Obit: Doug Garrett, Sussex Broadwood ex-Herga
From: GUEST,Fiona Rolls
Date: 04 Nov 10 - 01:14 PM

What a hole Doug will leave. No more postcards from exotic parts of the world. No more Christmas cards often with cats. No hugs when human contacted needed and so much more. I knew Doug for over 30 years and still cannot believe I will see him no more. Your friends will miss you so much.

Subject: RE: Obit: Doug Garrett, Sussex Broadwood ex-Herga
From: Janet Elizabeth
Date: 09 Nov 10 - 10:59 AM

The funeral arrangements are now confirmed. It will be this Friday, 12th November at 11:40, at the Kingswood Chapel, Worthing Crematorium, Findon, West Sussex
BN14 0RG. Bus number 1 leaves Worthing station stop B at 11:04, alight crem 11:26.
The reception afterwards is at The George, High St, Henfield,
BN5 9DB, free parking behind Budgens.
It would be helpful to have an idea of numbers coming, please PM or call me on 01273 (Brighton) 504506, thanks. Elizabeth