2020 Obit: Sheila Mainwaring (UK)

Subject: Obit: Sheila Mainwaring
From: GUEST,Dave Hunt
Date: 15 Jul 20 - 08:15 AM

I'm very Sad to announce the death of Sheila Mainwaring..on 12th July 2020 - .she had been in a care home for quite a while and over the last five years the onset of dementia meant that she gradually lost cognitive functions - did not recognise visitors and so on.
Sheila was the founder/editor of a folk magazine for Shropshire and surrounding areas - Shreds and Patches and also a well know caller of Ceilidh and Contra dances.
For many years she organised the dances at Sidmouth- What some called Dance for Dancers (awful term!) but what she jokingly referred to as the 'posh dances' and for many years she booked the bands and callers for these events.
She was a founder member of Giffard Country Dance display team and took over running it when Jim Billson retired.
Sheila will be sadly missed by friends all over the country.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sheila Mainwaring
From: Vic Smith
Date: 15 Jul 20 - 09:18 AM

I also saddened by this announcement. Although I met her at festivals, our main contact was by email and mostly centred on the fact that we were both dance callers and both editors of local folk music magazines. I heard the news in a very moving message from the great fiddler Flos Headford:-

Dear friends of Sheila,
on the morning of the 12th, I was told of the death of Sheila Mainwaring, former editor of Shreds and Patches folk magazine, and renowned caller for ceilidhs and contra-dances.
I've been using the email addresses from one of her files. This could mean you receive an inappropriate message, or duplicates.
Over the past five years or so in her care home, her identity has gradually faded. On the evening of the 11th, she passed away.
Morris Care inform me that Telford & Wrekin Council's Safeguard Team have assumed responsibility, and have called in Harry Edwards & Sons, a local firm of Funeral Directors.
I got a phone call (from the council, I think) announcing that the funeral would take place at 12:30 on the 22nd, in the Wellington Burial Ground. There's no such place on the map, so I assume they mean All Saint's Cemetery.
Sheila wanted there to be no service of any description, nobody in black. Just the song "Fare You Well, My Dearest Dear", and a fiddle to play "Da Shlokicht Nicht". And, ideally, everyone to dress as clowns, get drunk and have a monster ceilidh.
How do I tell this to the self-appointed misbegottens?
I have had no request for instruction from Telford & Wrekin Council or Harry Edwards.
I hope this is the last mass-email I need to send: I am worn out.
flos
P J Headford

Subject: RE: Obit: Sheila Mainwaring
From: Mo the caller
Date: 15 Jul 20 - 12:28 PM

Sheila also ran the Day of Dance at Bromyard festival. Booked great bands and callers. And put on Irish set dance days in Telford. Much more, no doubt.
So sad when people are lost to dementia. Let's all play "Da Shlokicht Nicht" for her. Shame that the ceilidh will have to wait.

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Sheila Mainwaring (UK)
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Jul 20 - 11:56 PM

Dad to hear of her death memories of 40+years ago Was a young folkie,she was a regular caller for folk dances in the Shropshire area.RIP

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Sheila Mainwaring (UK)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 16 Jul 20 - 05:23 AM

Very sad to hear this - I generally only saw Sheila at festivals but always enjoyed our conversations.

Kitty

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Sheila Mainwaring (UK)
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Jul 20 - 06:37 AM

Sad news, she was a lovely lady with a great sense of humour and a twinkly eye.She didn't let even the most awkward customers at ceilidhs bother or phase her RIP

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Sheila Mainwaring (UK)
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Jul 20 - 07:01 AM

We met Sheila at the very first Lacock folk festival which was our first festival. She took us under her arms and taught us everything we needed to know. We became life long friends. Remembering her at Chippenham,All Folk Around The Wrekin and the times she and Flos came to visit us when we had moved to live in Brittany. We will never forget her. All our love and condolences to Flos. Julian and Enid xx

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Sheila Mainwaring (UK)
From: Howard Jones
Date: 17 Jul 20 - 07:21 AM

I hadn't seen Sheila for very many years, but she was one of my favourite callers to work with, great with the dancers and a lot of fun with the band. RIP

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Sheila Mainwaring (UK)
From: GUEST,Mike and Babs Surridge
Date: 17 Jul 20 - 10:12 AM

We had only spoken to Flos on the 10th so we knew the score (excuse pun) but still a shock to learn that Sheila died the next day. We knew Sheila from the seventies in several different capacities, and not just folk, and we fully endorse all the attributes written above.She became a great friend and we enjoyed visiting the area around her home, especially Ironbridge, and sharing the Suffolk Essex borderlands when she stayed here.

We play that tune ...but we call it Da Slockit Light. We'll play it on our boxes at the time of the funeral

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Sheila Mainwaring (UK)
From: GUEST,Neil Brookes
Date: 19 Jul 20 - 04:58 AM

I shall be playing my own little tune set at the time of her funeral. At the 'Tiddly' sessions that were started by Flos in Shropshire she always requested 'Charming Maid/Shropshire Lass' as one of her favourite sets. I will always think of her when playing it.

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Sheila Mainwaring (UK)
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 19 Jul 20 - 06:18 AM

I'm sorry to hear of Sheila's death. I know there will be many people who will play her favourite tunes and always think of her. I have added her name to the "In Memoriam" thread and send my condolences to all those who know and love her.

RIP