Obit: Stan Ambrose (Merseyside) (1930-2016)

Subject: Stan Ambrose RIP
From: GUEST,Joe Moran
Date: 12 Jul 16 - 07:58 AM

Stan Ambrose well-known Merseyside, UK folk musician, organiser and radio presenter has died.
I'll leave others to add their memories/comments about Stan.

Stan Tribute

Subject: RE: Stan Ambrose RIP
From: Harmonium Hero
Date: 12 Jul 16 - 09:33 AM

Very sad to hear this. Stan was, as everyone else will say, a lovely person, and a pillar of the Merseyside folk scene. A kindly, mild-mannered and generous man.(Back in the early '70s, he was one of the few peoplw to champion The Wakes, often slipping one of his recordings of us into his 'Folk Scene' programme on Radio Merseyside). As the Liverpool Echo report linked above says, he presented The Folk Scene for 49 years, and was active around the local clubs, often turning up and singing 'I live in Trafalgar Square' or 'Polly Perkins'. He was a member of the Bothy Trio, (with the late Tony Molyneux (Wilson), and the late Dave Boardman), who were resident in the early days at the Bothy Folk Club in Southport. No doubt Clive Pownceby will say more on this. Many people hereabouts have reason to be grateful to him, and he will be sorely missed. John Kelly.

Subject: RE: Stan Ambrose RIP
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 12 Jul 16 - 10:07 AM

Very sad news. When me and my recently-left-school mates first went to the Bothy Folk Club in Southport in 1970 to sing, he was very encouraging, and I remember talking to him on the train back - in my case to Crosby, in his case to Liverpool - after the club. Subsequently saw him a lot in the 70s at the old Loughborough Folk festival and Sidmouth. Last saw him at the Bothy's 50th anniversary last year. Always enthusiastic, he was a man of integrity and dignity. RIP Stan.
Derek

Subject: RE: Stan Ambrose RIP
From: GUEST,Clive Pownceby
Date: 12 Jul 16 - 10:35 AM

Yes, sad news indeed. Stan was 86 and had been in hospital, and it looked as if a care package would be needed for him in future. This loss of independence wouldn't have suited him, as anyone who knew him will testify. He used to boast an absence of doctor's visits, ate healthily and couldn't abide any fuss or 'are you alright? Do you need any help? questioning.
From the original 4-person Bothy Folk Group (main stage at Cambridge Fest.1966 with among others, Hedy West, Doc Watson and Alex Campbell; 2-day ticket £1) that leaves just Christine Jones from the lineup, Tony Wilson having passed in 2004 and Dave Boardman in 2005 as John points out above.
The club they started and the standards they set are still in place - it's what keeps us focused and without the pioneers, us settlers would have nothing to live up to.
I have no details of arrangements or indeed, the circumstances of Stan's departure but will be more expansive on this forum as soon as I/we learn more.

I was invited onto Tony Snell's breakfast show on BBC Radio Merseyside this morning but it was necessarily just a few minutes interview. Stan being the station's longest-serving presenter made regional TV and radio bulletins yesterday and it is obvious that he was highly regarded as a true professional and a dedicated radio man. The station was an ideal environment for him - his second home, literally. I don't think he ever had a campbed in studio 1 but the hours he spent there are legendary. Tony this AM said "we called him the quiet man." In that he kept himself to himself a lot around the BBC hierarchy I can see his point, but Stan off-air was anything but silent! Intensely passionate about music, politics, society - everything that mattered; I can't think of him without the arm-waving, hand-wringing, brow-wrinkling and sheer enthusiasm when becoming engaged by things of consequence.

He sang at Bothy's 50th birthday party last year and popped in to the Belvedere Thursday session not long back but he was slowing up. His mid-80s age was catching up I think. Well, I hope his beloved FolkScene programme will continue - it was often threatened with being retired but he and Geoff Speed always managed to fight that off. I'd also like to think that the station will consider a proper and lengthy tribute programme as being appropriate too? They can count me in for certain.

They haven't made 'em like Stan Ambrose now for some years and it's to our loss. His harp playing is surely being appreciated now at higher levels!

Subject: RE: Stan Ambrose RIP
From: GUEST,LesB
Date: 12 Jul 16 - 12:27 PM

Stan was always a true gentleman. With Tony & Dave in the Bothy Folk Group they served as my introduction to Folk Clubs and my lifelong interest in folk music.
What a folk scene there must be up there now.
Les

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan Ambrose (Merseyside) (1930-2016)
From: GUEST,Pat Ryan
Date: 12 Jul 16 - 01:58 PM

Fond memories of Stan interviewing me several times. He would come on the train, I would pick him up. We would go to mine where he recorded the interview & had a cuppa. Then I would take him back to the station. Lovely, lovely man. Still have copies of the interviews somewhere.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan Ambrose (Merseyside) (1930-2016)
From: banjoman
Date: 13 Jul 16 - 05:16 AM

Great memories of Stan Ambrose in the days when we ran the PUNCCA club at the old fort in Prescott Street. Remember him singing "The daring young man on the flying Trapeze" and helping rig up a microphone in the toilets at the mitre so he could interview a guest (Vin Garbut?) away from the noise.
Fond memories of his radio programme.
Sad loss
Pete

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan Ambrose (Merseyside) (1930-2016)
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 13 Jul 16 - 09:41 AM

I remember, in the 1970s, when they would bring in guest presenters for Folk on 2(BBC Radio) when Jim Lloyd was on holiday.... Stan was one of them. He told me that they gave him a script, and explained to him that after playing a certain recording, he was to say marvellous things about the performers. "Hang on" Stan told them, "I've got my reputation to think about, I'm not saying marvellous things about performers I don't like"..... A man of integrity!
Derek

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan Ambrose (Merseyside) (1930-2016)
From: The Sandman
Date: 13 Jul 16 - 10:34 AM

sorry to hear this, RIP Stan Ambrose, an Anarchist and a gentleman

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan Ambrose (Merseyside) (1930-2016)
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 14 Jul 16 - 07:34 AM

Sorry to hear this news.   He is a man I would have liked to meet. I have added his name to the "In Memoriam" Thread. My condolences to all those who know and love him.

RIP

Peter

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan Ambrose (Merseyside) (1930-2016)
From: GUEST,Mary Hastings(Carney)
Date: 15 Jul 16 - 03:47 PM

I was so saddened to read about Stan on facebook this week.
Remembering the Bothy Folk at The Blundell Arms and enjoying hearing Stan play the whistle or singing. The most gentle and kindly man.
Although a more infrequent visitor to Folk Events over the last 30 years or so i've tried to keep up the contact and it's always been a pleasure to see Stan and have a "catch up" chat.
Here's the chorus to one of my favourite of Stan's songs
"I live in Trafalgar Square.
With 4 lions to guard me.
Fountains and statues all over the place.
A metropole staring me right in the face.
I vow it's a trifle draughty, but I looka at it this way you see.
If it's good enough for Nelson
It's quite good enough for me."
RIP Stan

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan Ambrose (Merseyside) (1930-2016)
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 16 Jul 16 - 04:00 AM

Great memories of Stan - late 60s early 70s on my part - so friendly and encouraging in Liverpool and beyond. Impossible to exaggerate his contribution to folk music on Merseyside. Farewell Stan and thanks for everything.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan Ambrose (Merseyside) (1930-2016)
From: GUEST,Joe Moran
Date: 16 Jul 16 - 12:49 PM

I just came across this:

BBC Radio Merseyside, 5pm Sunday - A special on skiffle with local performers, plus Hughie Jones talks about the late Stan Ambrose, whose Folk Scene has been the longest-running programme on local radio - 49 years, in fact. A shame Stan didn't make it to 50 although the programme continues, brilliantly hosted by Mike Brocken (4pm Sundays so just before On The Beat).

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan Ambrose (Merseyside) (1930-2016)
From: GUEST,Clive Pownceby
Date: 26 Jul 16 - 09:29 AM

Stan's no-fuss send-off is Saturday 6th August, leaving from Liverpool's Sefton Park Palm House at 11am. It will be a greenwood burial with no ceremony as such and primarily family only. However it's hoped that as many as will are able to come along, sing, say or play and generally give him a last goodbye.
There will be an evening get-together, again with music, song and reminiscences at The Florrie (the splendid former Florence Institute) in Mill Street, Liverpool 8.
I'm happy to provide such other information as I have or will get between now and 6th, so do call me on 0151 924 5078 if I can help.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan Ambrose (Merseyside) (1930-2016)
From: GUEST,Clive Pownceby
Date: 26 Jul 16 - 11:20 AM

Just to clarify, the departure from Sefton Park is come-all-ye; it's the actual interment that's private as Stan didn't want any excessive palaver at his actual laying to rest. That won't be news to those who knew the man!

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan Ambrose (Merseyside) (1930-2016)
From: GUEST,Natalie
Date: 28 Jul 16 - 06:15 PM

Damn!
I first met him at the various folk clubs I attended in Liverpool. What a great guy. I used to run into Stan whenever I went into town. He always carried his harp in the case, and always had time for a friendly chat. He was so modest, he used to tell me about a few of his musical achievements but never bragged.
I will miss him!!!

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan Ambrose (Merseyside) (1930-2016)
From: GUEST,Stan's Nephew, Phil
Date: 07 Aug 16 - 04:57 PM

Just to note; we laid Stan to rest on Saturday as he wished, by a tree. HIs harp stayed with him to the very end. We had a great night at the Florrie on Saturday, many thanks to all who spoke and played to make it special. On Sunday, his harp was visited by many and we have two books with wonderful comments and thoughts written over both days. I have never known someone who touched so many lives; to me he was very special indeed and started me playing and singing. For those who were not there my son, Stan's great nephew and I were on stage together- the music lives on!. His harp is safe and will be loved, cherished, but most of all played, by us both.
Stan's family have been truly overwhelmed by the comments, tributes and conversations that we have had over this time. Stan truly loved Liverpool; Liverpool loved him back.
Thank you all,
Phil