Lewes Folk Fest - Dave Swarbrick ill

Subject: Lewes Folk Fest - Dave Swarbrick ill
From: Vic Smith
Date: 08 Oct 12 - 01:24 PM

MARTIN CARTHY & DAVE SWARBRICK
Earlier this today I had this email from their agent:-

Hi Vic
I'm afraid Swarb is ill with gastroentiritis. He was taken ill in Cork and is still there. Jill has flown over to look after him. Dave's various conditions means that this has affected him more than most as he isn't retaining his copious amounts of drugs and is therefore quite severely weakened.
Martin is on his way back from Cork and is certain that Dave won't make his gigs this week. Martin is willing to do them solo if required. Please confirm you have this and advise on how you want to proceed. Many thanks
Best
Alan

My immediate reaction was to phone and see whether there was any chance of Chris Parkinson being able to replace Dave Swarbrick for on Thursday 11th October. Alan thought that was a good suggestion and tried to set this up. Several phone calls later it transpired that Chris is in Portugal this week.
The evening will go ahead with Martin Carthy performing as a soloist which, as you all know, is a very exciting prospect in itself. It also means that we have to offer those who have purchased tickets three options:-
* Come and still enjoy what will undoubtedly be a great evening
* Return your ticket in exchange for a replacement date in the not too distant future by the duo - which we have been offered.
* Ask for a refund on your purchase.

Subject: RE: Lewes Folk Fest - Dave Swarbrick ill
From: Leadfingers
Date: 08 Oct 12 - 01:52 PM

All the best to Mr swarbrick for a full and complete recovery , and commisserations to Lewes as you will miss some superb fiddling .
However , I have every confidence in Mister Carthy doing a good job on his own !

Subject: RE: Lewes Folk Fest - Dave Swarbrick ill
From: GUEST,sturgeon
Date: 08 Oct 12 - 02:55 PM

'My immediate reaction was to phone and see whether there was any chance of Chris Parkinson being able to replace Dave Swarbrick for on Thursday 11th October.'

Shouldn't your immediate reaction have been to worry how Swarb was doing?

Jeez, folk club organisers really do miss the plot more than sometimes!

Subject: RE: Lewes Folk Fest - Dave Swarbrick ill
From: Vic Smith
Date: 08 Oct 12 - 03:06 PM

Hardly a fair comment!
Of course, I was concerned about Dave - Phone Alan Bearman and ask him how much time I spent asking him about Dave and how he was going to manage until Jill got there.
I also have a sold out opening event for the Lewes Folk Festival in three days time and have a huge responsibility to all the people who have bought tickets and have to try to find a suitable replacement instantly or not at all amongst the 1001 and other things that I need to see to before the festival starts.
I also have to get this information circulated as quickly and widely as possible.

This thread was a quick post from a very busy man who will earn nothing from organising the festival for all the hundreds of hours that he has put in and who can do without being given grief from bystanders.

Subject: RE: Lewes Folk Fest - Dave Swarbrick ill
From: The Sandman
Date: 08 Oct 12 - 03:14 PM

I am sorry to hear Dave is ill, hope the festival is a success,Iam sure it will and I am sure Martin will not disappoint anyone

Subject: RE: Lewes Folk Fest - Dave Swarbrick ill
From: GUEST,sturgeon
Date: 08 Oct 12 - 03:16 PM

Well, maybe you should have spent one of those 1001 things expressing your concerns about Dave's health!

Subject: RE: Lewes Folk Fest - Dave Swarbrick ill
From: Vic Smith
Date: 08 Oct 12 - 03:17 PM

Thank you Dick. Your comment makes me feel a lot better!

Subject: RE: Lewes Folk Fest - Dave Swarbrick ill
From: Vic Smith
Date: 08 Oct 12 - 03:22 PM

Well, maybe you should have spent one of those 1001 things expressing your concerns about Dave's health!

I am very sorry that Dave has gastroentiritis and I hope that he will be feeling better in a few days. I hope that sturgeon will also be expressing goodwill to Dave. Do you have his contact details?

Subject: RE: Lewes Folk Fest - Dave Swarbrick ill
From: alex s
Date: 08 Oct 12 - 04:25 PM

Sturgeon, please go and be a nasty little freak somewhere else.
Best of luck, Vic, we know how hard you work.

Subject: RE: Lewes Folk Fest - Dave Swarbrick ill
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 08 Oct 12 - 05:06 PM

Yeah, I too wish you the best of luck and know full well how hard you work. We can all do without the sniping of anonymous Guests.
Bottom line for everyone is definitely concern for Dave's health and best wishes for a swift recovery.

Subject: RE: Lewes Folk Fest - Dave Swarbrick ill
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Oct 12 - 05:32 AM

As usual , its an Anonymous Troll who has to be unpleasant !

Subject: RE: Lewes Folk Fest - Dave Swarbrick ill
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Oct 12 - 06:45 AM

Just read this thread. Don't link on very often but if we can help with anything in Cork let us know we live here. Email on [e-mail].

Vena & Ray Connolly

Subject: RE: Lewes Folk Fest - Dave Swarbrick ill
From: Vic Smith
Date: 09 Oct 12 - 07:01 AM

Vena & Ray Connolly

A very kind thought, you two and many thanks for it. However, Dave's wife, Jill, as soon as she heard about it, flew out to Cork to handle the dosing of the anti-rejection drugs which are keeping Dave alive and functioning. Obviously, is very experienced with this.
Sod's Law being what it is, though Jill accompanies Dave to nearly every gig these days; they decided that she would not go on this one-off to Ireland and wasn't that the very one where he was taken ill.

However, I will pass your email address on - thanks again.

Subject: RE: Lewes Folk Fest - Dave Swarbrick ill
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 09 Oct 12 - 07:26 AM

The thoughts of all of us go out to Dave Swarbrick for a full and speedy recovery. Congrats to Vic Smith for his prompt action on behalf of all the people who have bought tickets. As for 'Sturgeon', whoever he or she is = 'Go .... yourself.' RoyH

Subject: RE: Lewes Folk Fest - Dave Swarbrick ill
From: Vic Smith
Date: 09 Oct 12 - 09:14 AM

Dave is obviously picking up e-mails on his mobile for he replies:-

Many thanks for mudcat Vic. So sorry about the gig. I guess AB will book us in again whenever. X

Subject: RE: Lewes Folk Fest - Dave Swarbrick ill
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 09 Oct 12 - 10:36 AM

Dave had said how tired he was at Dartford last week, although looking OK. I reckon everything gets just that bit harder as you get older.
What a proffessional MC is. Parky accompanies so well - shame he's away.
I doubt very few will ask for a refund. Good luck with the festival.
FloraG

Subject: RE: Lewes Folk Fest - Dave Swarbrick ill
From: Vic Smith
Date: 10 Oct 12 - 05:30 PM

LEWES FOLK FESTIVAL
Since announcing that Dave Swarbrick is indisposed and will not be able to appear with Martin Carthy for the opening night, a number of people have taken our option of a refund. This means that - though the event has been sold out for months - that we now have a few tickets available for Thursday 11th for a solo appearance by MARTIN CARTHY. Phone [phone] to secure one of these tickets.

Subject: RE: Lewes Folk Fest - Dave Swarbrick ill
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 11 Oct 12 - 06:29 AM

Get well soon David, you're too good to lose, I'm sure you'll be well looked after in Cork

Subject: RE: Lewes Folk Fest - Dave Swarbrick ill
From: GUEST,Ron
Date: 11 Oct 12 - 08:34 PM

I have no doubt that Vic privately expressed his concern for Daves' health, and sent his best wishes for a speedy recovery. He does not need to express it here. He is under no obligation to air the contents of any private conversation on a public forum. Along with his private concerns, I have no doubt that Vic will do his utmost to meet the responsibilities he feels towards everybody involved in the event he is organising.

To Dave - My very best wishes, and hopes for a speedy recovery.

To Vic - Best wishes and good luck for a very successful event.

Martin, whether solo or otherwise, will do an excellent job and will continue to be the trouper he has always been.

sturgeon - just apologise or piss off!

Subject: RE: Lewes Folk Fest - Dave Swarbrick ill
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 11 Oct 12 - 09:38 PM

very sorry to hear this. Hope he is soon better.

Subject: RE: Lewes Folk Fest - Dave Swarbrick ill
From: Vic Smith
Date: 12 Oct 12 - 07:50 AM

Dave is still feeling weak but was well enough to fly back from Cork yesterday with Jill. They are both now at home; best place for them. Public best wishes added to the private ones already expressed.

Subject: RE: Lewes Folk Fest - Dave Swarbrick ill
From: Vic Smith
Date: 12 Oct 12 - 10:32 AM

The patient recovering - a photo taken earlier today.