Obit: Dick/Dyk Brooker (18 Jan 2011)

Subject: Info for Dick Brooker
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 14 Aug 04 - 03:13 PM

If anyone bumps into Dick Brooker (ex-Herga, Wheatley Morris, Oxford Folk Club), can they please let him know that Geoff "Jonno" Johnson, would like to see him, and thank him for introducing him to the Herga folk club (and the folk scene generally) all those years ago.... Jonno is now living in Grove, so I met him in the Bell at today's lunchtime singaround.

I understand that Dick is currently going round various festivals, but I have Jonno's address and phone number - so does Skipy, because Jonno gave a presentation on the Falklands this morning at the White Horse Festival.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Info for Dick Brooker
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 15 Aug 04 - 02:33 PM

Refresh........

Subject: RE: Info for Dick Brooker
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 03:57 AM

Dyk Brooker is at the Wallingford Bunkfest near Oxford this weekend (September 3rd-5th 2004). He is presenting a workshop; these are the details

Saturday WS 5 17.00-18.00
Traditions of Britain with Dyk Brooker
Dyk has spent a great deal of time travelling the country and visiting traditional celebrations and festivals. Here he presents the results of his work in a fascinating slide show / talk.

Subject: RE: Info for Dick Brooker
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 04:45 AM

Thanks Guest!

I've left a phone message for Jonno, and suggested he contacts Dave Guest if he needs info about Wallingford Bunkfest. (Unfortunately I'll miss Dyk's workshop because I'll be wailing at Wareham.)

Kitty

Subject: RE: Info for Dick Brooker
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 10:55 AM

You're welcome. I'll print this thread and take it along in case I see him.

Subject: RE: Info for Dick Brooker
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 06 Sep 04 - 10:12 AM

I saw Dyk briefly and he was scratching his head over Jonno. Anyway, he is of no fixed abode, living in a camper van and touring Britain researching the tradition. I would have thought the Bunkfest organisers must know how to reach him as he was part of the programme for the festival. Check the web site (above) to reach them, failing that, I have the number of one of them.

Subject: RE: Info for Dick Brooker
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 06 Sep 04 - 07:03 PM

Thanks Peter.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Info for Dick Brooker
From: GUEST,Mike Heaney
Date: 19 Aug 10 - 12:29 PM

Just cropped up on the Morris Dancing discussion list (and confirmed as he of Herga Morris:

From: Morris Dancing Discussion List [mailto:[e-mail]] On Behalf Of Peter West
Sent: 16 August 2010 14:14
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Appeal for help. (nmc)

Don't know who it was but somebody made a difference. Mr Brooker has been picked up by the Police and taken to a place of safety.
In talking to him this morning he said that at one time he'd been a member of Herga Morris, 'anybody remember that far back?

Badger.

-----Original Message-----
From: Morris Dancing Discussion List [mailto:[e-mail]] On Behalf Of Peter West
Sent: 16 August 2010 10:12
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Appeal for help. (nmc)

A guy who I believe to be Dick Brooker, ex Wheatley Morris Men muso, has fallen on hard times and is currently living in a Ford Transit parked on Bure Place car park in Bicester, Oxfordshire, and seems to be in a confused state and unable to help himself.
Both the Police and the Ambulance Service were called to him, on several occasions over the past 3 days, and it achieved - a "Police Aware" sticker!
I've referred his plight to Social Services who cannot help him, as he falls through the cracks between their departments, would you please consider making 'phone calls to whoever, maybe the MuDDLe can help.


Regards,

Badger.

Subject: RE: Info for Dick Brooker
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 19 Aug 10 - 12:41 PM

Thanks Mike - Badger's e-mail was forwarded to me via Jane Bird and Bob Hawkes, and I've sent it to Dave and Kate Guest and asked them to let Jonno know.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Info for Dick Brooker
From: GUEST,Dyk's sister
Date: 27 Jan 11 - 01:23 PM

I expect most people in and around Oxford at least know that my brother passed away on 18th January 2011. He would not have recognised that he had fallen on 'hard times' as he toured the country in his van but he did become very ill and was taken into the Churchill Hospital in August where he was very well looked after until he died. His funeral will be held on 4th February at 11.15 in Oxford but there may be a memorial dance arranged by some of his many friends at a later date

Subject: RE: Info for Dick Brooker
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 27 Jan 11 - 01:43 PM

H - thanks for posting this sad news, which I wasn't aware of.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Info for Dick Brooker
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 27 Jan 11 - 02:26 PM

And a friend has just sent me a link to the Oxford Times obit ... could a Mudelf change this thread title to Obit/ RIP Dyk Brooker....

Kitty

------------- Done. JoeClone-----------------------

---

Friends of busker mourn a true ‘free spirit’

10:30am Thursday 27th January 2011

By Emily Allen

A STRAW-HATTED busker who entertained thousands of shoppers in Oxford city centre has died.

Dyk Brooker was last night described as an Oxford icon, best-known for his trademark melod-eon and flower-covered hat.

The 64-year-old, who busked for more than three decades, died at Oxford’s Churchill Hospital on January 18 following a battle with cancer.

To his family and friends he will be remembered for his unconventional life and love of folk music.

Friend of 40 years Gilly Robinson, of Bullingdon Road, East Oxford, met him when he set up the folk club at East Oxford Community Centre.

She said: “He was a free spirit. He didn’t live according to the rules.

“He was very generous with what he had, he was very obstinate, he would never be wrong about anything. He liked a good argument and he was into puns.

“He was a lovely man and he had so many friends.”

Tim Healey, director of Oxford Folk Festival, described Mr Brooker as “warm-hearted and lovable” and “one of nature’s originals”.

Born in Bow, east London, Mr Brooker grew up in Harrow, Middlesex, where he became involved in the Herga Folk Club and learned to be a morris dancer.

He moved to Oxford in the 1970s and lodged with friends before moving into a flat belonging to a local church.

Friends said he lived his life ‘hand to mouth’, busking to make a living in the city centre and in towns and cities around the UK.

He was a founder member of the Wheatley Morris Men and organised and took part in hundreds of folk festivals, including the Wallingford Bunkfest.

He was a well-known character on the local folk scene, especially at the Fir Tree pub in East Oxford.

About 10 years ago he bought a van and travelled around Britain to promote folk music and learn about its traditions.

He stood as a Liberal candidatefor the city council in 1977, boosting the Liberal vote, and also helped raise money for Helen House children’s hospice.

His sister, Helen Newton Prince, of Peterborough, said: “He never quite caught up with the second half of the 20th century, loved his radio, The Archers, cricket, and political debates but modern living and technology were not for him.”

Folk singer Mick Henry, of Marston, said: “He was a very flamboyant character, very colourful. He was part of the furniture in Oxfordshire and iconic in Oxford. He will be sorely missed.”

Mr Brooker’s funeral will take place at Oxford Crematorium on Friday, February 4, at 11.15am.

© Copyright 2001-2011 Newsquest Media Group

http://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk

Subject: RE: Info for Dick Brooker
From: Susan B
Date: 27 Jan 11 - 04:16 PM

Sad news. He was one of those people that I was always hoping to bump into again, knowing that you could just take up where you left off.
We knew him and Gill well in the 70s; Dick (when did he become Dyk?) organised our wedding ceilidh, but we lost touch after we mmoved to London.

Subject: RE: Obit.: Dick/Dyk Brooker
From: GUEST,Francie - Dyk's other sister
Date: 28 Jan 11 - 04:30 AM

This is the link to the article in yesterday's oxford times.
Click here
Fare thee well Richard. Save a place for me.

Subject: RE: Obit.: Dick/Dyk Brooker
From: GUEST,Pam Cooper
Date: 10 May 11 - 01:54 PM

Did anyone see Dyk's brief appearance on Have I got News For You, and does anyone have email details for his sisters who may not have seen it? It is available on BBC iplayer till Friday/Sat.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick/Dyk Brooker (18 Jan 2011)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 10 May 11 - 06:18 PM

Pam - thanks for your post, as I've now found Dyk's brief appearance here

Though I think the comparison with the Archbishop of Canterbury is a bit far-fetched.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick/Dyk Brooker (18 Jan 2011)
From: Lester
Date: 23 Nov 11 - 03:31 PM

I have just bought Dyk's old melodeon and a bunch of spares he had off his sister via eBay. My hope is to make his box speak again. I never met he guy but after googling him it appears to be my lose to have not run across him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick/Dyk Brooker (18 Jan 2011)
From: GUEST,Dyk's niece
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 06:08 PM

Hi pam,

This is a bit late but I've just noticed that you were trying to get hold of my aunties to let them know about uncle Richards tv appearance - just thought I would let you know that we did all see it - much to our surprise while watching! Coincidently it was actually repeated on the day of his anniversary this year :).