Obit: Sid Long

Subject: Obit: Sid Long
From: padgett
Date: 19 Jan 05 - 07:41 AM

I have been advised that Sid of Notts Alliance and compere at many festivals has died recently

I would ask that only those most closely associated with Sid contact his friends and family

If you already know the funeral arrangements no doubt you will be able to advise appropriately

Blokes of his standing come this way infrequently and he will be missed for his dedication and enthusiasm to the folk music and song cause

Subject: RE: Obit: Sid Long
From: Schantieman
Date: 19 Jan 05 - 08:04 AM

Very sorry to hear this, Ray.

Sid was a fine and strong singer, and a guiding influence on me when I spent a year in Nottingham and at NTMC. I remember that he led the response to the first line I sang there, very nervously, in 1979.

Carry him to his burying ground

Steve

Subject: RE: Obit: Sid Long
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 19 Jan 05 - 08:47 AM

I too am sorry to hear of Sid's passing.
This is not proving a good year so far, with yet another fine singer suddenly being taken from our midst.
Sincerest condolences to his family and friends.
And RIP Sid.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sid Long
From: Folkiedave
Date: 19 Jan 05 - 01:52 PM

So sorry to hear this. Sid was a great guy and a good friend to many.

RIP

Dave

Subject: RE: Obit: Sid Long
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 19 Jan 05 - 02:14 PM

What terrible news.
Rest well Old Friend
Ralph

Subject: RE: Obit: Sid Long
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 19 Jan 05 - 03:52 PM

Sid, a fellow North Easterner, was a regular at Traditions at the Tiger, Long Eaton and should have been singing today at the funeral of Andy Leith organiser of the aforementioned club. You can imagine the sadness today that two of our great stalwarts and firm friends have been taken from us so suddenly and at such an early age.
R.I.P. Sid

Dave Sutherland

Subject: RE: Obit: Sid Long
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 19 Jan 05 - 05:15 PM

My shock at the news of Andy Leith's death on New Years Day has been compounded by this about my old friend Sid. I have known both blokes for many years, shared a lot of singing with them, and watched them both develop as artists. I was in tears this morning knowing that it was Andy's funeral and that I couldn't be there and that I would never see him nor Sid again. I am writing this to help ease the pain that this day holds for me. Two men seemingly in the prime of life, both devoted singers utterly committed to the furtherance of the music, now gone forever. The folk scene needs such men. Their loss is a severe blow. 2005 has opened with such sadness. Rest in Peace my friends. You will not be forgotten. ROY

Subject: RE: Obit: Sid Long
From: BB
Date: 19 Jan 05 - 05:20 PM

I'm devastated to hear this, and so shortly after Andy's passing as well. I'd known Sid for many years, not very closely, but well enough to exchange Christmas cards, and he was indeed a fine singer and a lovely, gentle guy. He'll be missed by many, particularly around the Nottingham area, but further afield as well. Condolences and loving thoughts to his family and friends.

Barbara

Subject: RE: Obit: Sid Long
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Jan 05 - 03:51 AM

Refresh for Friends who haven't heard the news yet.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sid Long
From: IanC
Date: 20 Jan 05 - 03:59 AM

Damn.

I hadn't realised that Andy Leith had died as well.

I knew Sid from some year back, mainly from the NTMC and the Co-op Folk Club in the late seventies (I was living in Nottingham from 1975 to 1978). To me, Sid was larger than life. A prime mover in the massive "folk scene" around Nottingham at the time. He was also part of the reason why the folk clubs and other activities in Nottingham were so closely connected to their roots in ordinary Nottingham life.

Andy, I knew better. In fact there's a picture of him on my wall playing Bold Hector in one of the 'Owd 'Oss mummers plays (at the Laycock and Chippenham Festival in 1977). I was the Doctor.

Among other things, Andy was a central figure in a number of folk clubs at the time, including Beeston Folk Club and the small, but enormously influential, Bendigo's Folk Club at Arnold. He was also part of the 'Owd 'Oss Mummers and a co-founder of Sullivan's Sword. I still have a recording of the mummers play we did live at Radio Nottingham on St George's Day (?1978) where Andy decided to start whacking the litter bin with his sword to add some sound effects for the fighting. By the time we'd finished, the bloody thing was nearly flat.

I haven't seen either of them for over 20 years, but I've followed their lives through mutual friends.

Thanks to both for enriching my life.

Ian

Subject: RE: Obit: Sid Long
From:
Date: 20 Jan 05 - 10:48 AM

Sid was my friend.

I have known him for thirty years. Like many others who knew him we met at NTMC and through the latter half of the seventies we danced together in Dolphin Morris and Leicester Morris. Those who have known him in later years will be surprised to know what a very fine Morris dancer he was. He was also an excellent clog dancer, being a founder member of Greenwood Clog dancers in the middle seventies.

As most people know he was blessed with a lovely voice and learned how to use it exquisitely - he was very proud and pleased to become one of the resident singers at NTMC.

For six years during and following the miners's strike of '84 we sang and did silly things together as Red Star Delivery; stealing material mercilessly from other street theatre acts and favoured songwriters, entertaining striking miners, sacked miners, trade union branches, CND benefits etc etc. Sid it was who found it very difficult in the first rehearsal of a routine to bring a sledgehammer down on my groin, protected as it was by nothing but a concrete paving slab.

In recent years we met only two or three times a year - at Sidmouth, Towersey or when he was passing through Bristol on his way to a meeting of fine china enthusiasts - at each meeting he was always full of news, eager to tell what Notts Alliance was up to - he was so proud of them an the music they made together. And always eager to discuss his other passions: his friends, poltics, porcelain, food, bridge, music.

Now he is gone, far too early. I shall miss him so very much.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sid Long
From: GUEST,, viv
Date: 20 Jan 05 - 12:08 PM

Message to Burl
If you would like a lift to Sid's funeral contacy us and we can arrange for you to get to Gloucester on the train and we will take you the rest of the way.

                Roger & Viv Grimes

Subject: RE: Obit: Sid Long
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 20 Jan 05 - 03:42 PM

I'm so sorry to hear about this. Sid was a lovely guy and a fine singer. It's another awful loss to folk music, as well as to his family and friends.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Obit: Sid Long
From: bradfordian
Date: 20 Jan 05 - 07:17 PM

SID LONG Announcement

Subject: RE: Obit: Sid Long
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 21 Jan 05 - 03:20 PM

Roger and Viv, Good to hear from you and thanks for the offer. Unfortunately, can't make it to the funeral. I have a hospital appointment on that day. I'm saddened by this as I was also unable to make Andy Leith's funeral. Sid will be in my thoughts. I'll be sending a message to his mother. Elaine sends her regards to you both, as do I. All The Best, ROY.