Eric and Audrey Winter

Subject: Eric and Audrey Winter
From: musicmick
Date: 30 Jan 02 - 03:27 AM

When I was in London in the late 60s, I met a wonderful folk music journalist named Eric Winter. I had just arrived and was staying at a dismal and depressing hotel. I had been given Eric's name and number by a friend who thought he could help introduce me into the London folk scene. I called to say hello and he insisted that I stay at his house and to get my butt down there post haste. I found Eric to be a dear friend and a valuable contact. He knew everybody and everybody liked him. His wife, Audrey, was as hospitable as her husband. They had a son, Simon, and a daughter, whose name I have forgotten (most embarassing as she stayed with me in Ireland for a short while) I heard from Martin Carthy that Eric had passed, and I think that Audrey may be gone, too. But I would love to hear from or about their son and their daughter. Can any of you British Mudcatters help me locate them? Mike Miller

Subject: RE: Eric and Audrey Winter
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 30 Jan 02 - 04:26 AM

Eric used to be the editor of the folk magazine "SPIN". He lived on the North side of Clapham Common. I'm afraid that I haven't heard anything of him for many years.

Subject: RE: Eric and Audrey Winter
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 30 Jan 02 - 05:07 AM

Surely "Sing" - "Spin" was Liverpool based.

Subject: RE: Eric and Audrey Winter
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 30 Jan 02 - 05:30 AM

Yes you're correct Kevin - it was "Sing".
I'll always remember Eric running a poetry session at one of the early Keele Folk Festivals. I'd walked in by mistake (the poems were very "precious") and so had (the late) Bob Roberts. Eric asked Bob if he knew any poetry and Bob said that he'd once written one, but that it wasn't the sort of thing that the session seemed to be about. After some persuading, Bob recited "The Hoily Rigs" - it was the hit of the session and both Bob and Eric used to perform it frequently after that. Don't post the words on this thread, though - I'll start a new one.

Subject: RE: Eric and Audrey Winter
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 30 Jan 02 - 08:44 PM

Go here for a short obituary of Eric Winter. Click on news no 20 and scroll to the bottom of the page.

Subject: RE: Eric and Audrey Winter
From: musicmick
Date: 30 Jan 02 - 08:44 PM

Yes, it was SING. He also wrote books and magazine articles about music in general and folk music in particular. Tom Paley knew him well. So did Cyral Tawney, Dave Calderhead, Ewan MacCal and anyone else who was singing in the UK at that time. Come to think of it, are any of those guys around? I'm still hoping to hear about the Winter offspring. I can be reached, directly, at [e-mail]

Mike Miller

Subject: RE: Eric and Audrey Winter
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 31 Jan 02 - 03:06 AM

Which "Guys" do you mean ? Tom Paley's still around and a regular at "Sharps", Cyril's still doing the odd gig, Ewan's dead of course, I haven't heard of Dave Calderhead for about 25 years - when he was my boss. I don't know what happened to Simon Winter - as a young lad he wasn't very popular with some of us folkies.

Subject: RE: Eric and Audrey Winter
From: musicmick
Date: 01 Feb 02 - 02:03 AM

Thanks, Dave. Yes, Simon was a handful, but I got along with him pretty well. I'm not sure how that happened. What was his sister's name? I used to stay with Dave Calderhead when he lived near the Portabello Rd. Mike

Subject: RE: Eric and Audrey Winter
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Jul 11 - 10:45 AM

Hi - I don't know whether this thread is dead but in case anyone is there.... does anyone know where Eric Winter was born or any other details of his early years? I am trying to find an adopted relative's family and this is one of the few threads I have to follow up on...

Subject: RE: Eric and Audrey Winter
From: The Sandman
Date: 28 Jul 11 - 12:15 PM

try joining and personal messaging MGM.

Subject: RE: Eric and Audrey Winter
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 28 Jul 11 - 12:38 PM

Thanks, Dick. I did indeed know Eric & Audrey well ~~ they were neighbours in Hampstead at the time Valerie & I married [1959]; after Eric died I am pretty sure Audrey moved south to live with one of their two daughters near Kennington Oval, and she and we {my first wife Valerie & I} exchanged Xmas cards for a while. These have now stopped, and I regret I have lost touch with her & can't find a card for her in my address file, nor an online address book one. They lived somewhere round the Manchester area until Eric died, and I think that was his original birthplace & home town.

Indeed, have just discovered an obit on a website which might provide some info ~~

===OBITUARY ERIC WINTER

ERIC WINTER, 19th December 1920 – 23rd October 2000

Born in Mossley, Eric Winter won a scholarship to Ashton-under-Lyne Grammar School, leaving at the age of fifteen. Aged 19, he became manager of Lewis's internal advertising department in Manchester.

It was after being called up for war service in the RAF that Eric became involved with the Unity Theatre, Liverpool, whilst stationed at Hooton Park on the Wirral.

After several changes of direction career-wise, following the end of the war, Eric eventually became sub-editor on Model Railway magazine, subsequently joining Odhams (later IPC), rising to the rank of chief sub-editor, then technical editor, on Home Maker. He was a keen and dedicated trade unionist and IPC's 'grandfather' of the book and magazine chapels.

Throughout this time, Eric pursued his love of folk music and together with friend and musician John Hasted formed the London Youth Choir for a festival in Berlin in the early '50s. With Leon Rosselson and others he formed what was widely known as Britain's first modern folk group, the London Youth Choir Group.

At the suggestion of John Hasted, and together with John Ambrose, Eric founded Britain's first folk magazine, Sing, which was to run for twenty years (1954 – 1974). He wrote many songs himself; one of the best remembered is The Flowers Of Manchester, written following the Munich air disaster in 1958. During his many years on the folk scene he compiled, edited and designed more than twenty books.

From 1961 to 1974 Eric was successively folk critic for Melody Maker, Music Maker and the New Musical Express. Between 1973 and 1986 he taught journalism at the London College of Printing, retiring to Mossley in 1987, where he continued to write on music for Folk Roots and Reference Reviews. In 1992, at the age of 72, he compiled a booklet of his own songs entitled They Never Clapped Me Like That. In 1995, I felt pleased and privileged to discover that, although not in the best of health, he had not only taken the time to visit my small, hastily arranged art exhibition, set up as part of the International Women's Week at Portland Basin Heritage Centre in Ashton-under-Lyne, but had also done a review of my work, titled Gwenda Presents A Paintaround, published in Buzz 47.

Five decades of journalism and commitment to the folk music scene nationwide and beyond, Eric Winter passed away peacefully in his hospital bed with his headphone on – whilst doing some reviewing!

To quote his wife Audrey: "He died with his boots on. Gwenda Warrington"

This is from this website

http://www.hankypark.co.uk/flowers_of_manchester.htm

HTH

~Michael~

Subject: RE: Eric and Audrey Winter
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 28 Jul 11 - 12:45 PM

To clarify ~~ Gwenda Warrington seems to be the name of the obit's author, & should have been outside the end-quote marks. I don't know her, but Eric appears from the content to have reviewed an art exhibition of hers, and become a friend ~ see obit para 6. I don't know if she can be googled or contacted in any way or will have any further info.

~M~

Subject: RE: Eric and Audrey Winter
From: Little Robyn
Date: 28 Jul 11 - 05:19 PM

In 1972 at Loughborough FF, I heard a joke/quote that I didn't understand at the time.
'When Winter comes, can Sing be far behind?'
It makes sense now.
Robyn

Subject: RE: Eric and Audrey Winter
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Nov 11 - 11:53 AM

I am Eric's Grandaughter, Simon's daughter Rosemary. My grandmother Audrey is alive and well, and I think it was my aunt Sue who stayed in Ireland with you mike. If you email me personally I can give you contact details of AAudrey, she would love to hear from you!

Subject: RE: Eric and Audrey Winter
From: GUEST,Rosemary Winter
Date: 02 Nov 11 - 12:01 PM

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Eric and Audrey Winter
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 10:13 AM

Thank you MGM for your response to my request for more information on Eric's early days.

I have taken the liberty of emailing Rosemary directly as she posted her address on line.

Cheers, Rob

Subject: RE: Eric and Audrey Winter
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 11:18 AM

I think it's Eric & Audrey's daughter Hope Winter-Hall who has been doing lots of work recently at Cecil Sharp House making the big hall look wonderful for events with bunting and traditional decorations. You can find her on Facebook.

Subject: RE: Eric and Audrey Winter
From: GUEST,Rosemary Winter
Date: 29 Dec 11 - 12:56 PM

Yes, That's true! It is their daughter, my aunt, doing the decorations at Cecil Sharp House! They're wonderful!

Subject: RE: Eric and Audrey Winter
From: GUEST,Rosemary Winter
Date: 29 Dec 11 - 01:04 PM

Michael Grosvenor-Myer, Audrey has moved house and would love to hear from you! [e-mail] get in touch!

Subject: RE: Eric and Audrey Winter
From: GUEST,Hope Winter-Hall
Date: 29 Dec 11 - 01:16 PM

Re Dave Bryant comment's. The Winter family have no recolection of a Dave Bryant. Simon Winter was and remains popular with his many friends including those 'folkies' of whom we have heard.

Subject: RE: Eric and Audrey Winter
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 29 Dec 11 - 02:22 PM

Thank you, Rosemary. I did get a Xmas card again this year, and regretted I could not get back to her. Shall email without delay.

~Michael~

Subject: RE: Eric and Audrey Winter
From: GUEST,Geoff Speed
Date: 30 Dec 11 - 02:32 AM

So pleased to hear that you are well and have moved your
location.I tried your (obviously now) old telephone
number several times at Christmas time without sucess.

Geoff.

Subject: RE: Eric and Audrey Winter
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 30 Dec 11 - 05:02 AM

BTW ~~ Hope, Simon ~ all of you: hope you all remember that Valerie & I used to be your regular baby-sitters in Westbere Road, when I lived just along with the Brunners in Sarre Road & V & I were engaged.

Bet you didn't know that, eh Rosemary!

~M~

Subject: RE: Eric and Audrey Winter
From: GUEST,Hope (aka Sue) and Audrey Winter
Date: 30 Dec 11 - 07:28 AM

Hi Michael. I remeber Westbere Rd very well and Audrey says a big hello. She will write to you very soon with our snail mail address. We were all together yesterday so filled Rosemary in on tails of the past.

Subject: RE: Eric and Audrey Winter
From: GUEST,Hope Winter Hall
Date: 30 Dec 11 - 07:36 AM

Hello Geoff Speed. My mum says she sent you a card. Probably not including her(our) new address. My email is [e-mail]. Get in touch and I'll give you all the other contact details. Hope (aka Sue) Winter-Hall

Subject: RE: Eric and Audrey Winter
From: GUEST,Hope Winter-Hall
Date: 30 Dec 11 - 07:40 AM

Hello unnamed guest who wrote such kind words about my work at CSH. Would love to know who you are. Hope.

Subject: RE: Eric and Audrey Winter
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Jun 12 - 02:35 AM

This is a bonus! I had been trying to find out about an NUJ conference in Manchester that Eric attended at which he refused to shake hands with Harold Wilson, guest of honour. I have just come across a programme from, I think, that conference.
Eric used to come and stay at our house in Oldham. He was a childhood friend of Bill Garratt, our next-door neighbour, who is still around. Eric introduced my mum to folk music and often brought singers back from their Manchester gigs to crash at our house. I remember Alex Campbell, Christy Moore and the Grehan sisters being there, singing the night away. Our poor neighbours!
I think I last saw Eric at my mum's funeral, unless it was when I had lunch with him and Audrey at the Church Inn in Uppermill and took them to the garden centre to help stock their lovely garden in Mossley.
We went to a couple of the Loughborough festivals with Eric too, which were wonderful. I have also just found a photo of Packie Byrne playing at one of the Loughboroughs in about 1974 or 1975.
I have also come across a reference to a poetry session at Loughborough, which delights me as I run a poetry organisation and website which encourages read-arounds in the spirit of the old folk sing-arounds, and I think of Eric frequently in that context, and as a source of inspiration for what we do.
I am pleased Audrey is doing well. How is Simon? It would be good to hear. [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Eric and Audrey Winter
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 13 Dec 13 - 10:34 AM

Update, December 2013 ~~

Delighted to have received Christmas card from Audrey!

All love to all Winters ~~

~Michael~

Subject: RE: Eric and Audrey Winter
From: GUEST,Dave Arthur
Date: 04 Jul 17 - 05:07 AM

I must disagree with Dave Bryant re. Simon Winter. As a young lad he visited us and even baby-sat for us and was a very pleasant and friendly boy, whom Toni and I liked very much, as we did his mum and dad. I've had the pleasure of meeting up with Simon in recent years and he remains a nice guy.
Perhaps you get back what you put Into a relationship or meeting?

Subject: RE: Eric and Audrey Winter
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 04 Jul 17 - 09:17 AM

Dave,

I went along with Malcolm Price to visit Eric at his home in South London sometime in the early seventies. I remember his young son out in the kitchen throwing a great tantrum and giving his mother a very hard time. I seem to remember a smashed plate or two and couldn't understand how parents would allow that sort of behaviour particularly with guests present.I guess he grew out of it.
The most worrying thing about the evening was having a group of yobs outside lobbing bricks at at Eric's front door. Apparently it had happened before. Eric phoned the local police and they sent a patrol car to escort us out of the locality.
A great way to spend an evening.