Norman Sinclair - What Happened to him?

Subject: Does Anyone Know What Happened to Norman
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 01 Apr 05 - 07:03 AM

and Lena Sinclair?

They used to run a folk club on Sunday nights at "The Holt", (now called Moore Place), Aspley Guise, Bedfordshire near Milton Keynes. Two of their first guests I saw there in 1985/6 were the McAlmans and Archie Fisher, fantastic evenings!

Norman and Lena were well known on the Edinburgh folk scene, I think Norman's family originated in Orkney, Sinclair is a common name there. When I last saw them, they were still living in Aspley Guise(about 1990) and they had 2 daughters, I have lost track of them since.

They were great people and contributed a huge amount to the local folk scene.

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Messages from multiple threads combined. Messages below are from a new thread.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Norman Sinclair
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Apr 05 - 10:45 AM

Does anyone know what happened to Norman?

He used to run a folk club at "The Holt" and "The Bell", Aspley Guise (near Milton Keynes) in the 80's and contributed a good deal to the local folk scene at the time but I think got very little credit for it.

Some of the first guests I heard there were The McAlmans and Archie Fisher, great evenings.

I think he moved from the area in the early 90's, he had strong Edinburgh connections.

Subject: RE: Norman Sinclair
From: Peace
Date: 07 Apr 05 - 11:56 AM

With all respect, even if I knew, I would be reluctant to post anything to a nameless individual.

Subject: RE: Norman Sinclair
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 08 Apr 05 - 06:11 AM

Sorry folks.
Forgot to include my name.

Subject: RE: Norman Sinclair
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Apr 05 - 09:19 AM

Subject: RE: Norman Sinclair
From: Peace
Date: 09 Apr 05 - 02:12 PM

Jim,

Is there anymore you can add? Anything at all? I will certainly search the www for anything I can find, but with what is posted above there's nowt I can find at this time.

Bruce

Subject: RE: Norman Sinclair
From: Peace
Date: 09 Apr 05 - 02:19 PM

I am adding this here, Jim, because it might refresh a memory for someone.

Subject: Does Anyone Know What Happened to Norman
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 01 Apr 05 - 07:03 AM

and Lena Sinclair?

They used to run a folk club on Sunday nights at "The Holt", (now called Moore Place), Aspley Guise, Bedfordshire near Milton Keynes. Two of their first guests I saw there in 1985/6 were the McAlmans and Archie Fisher, fantastic evenings!

Norman and Lena were well known on the Edinburgh folk scene, I think Norman's family originated in Orkney, Sinclair is a common name there. When I last saw them, they were still living in Aspley Guise(about 1990) and they had 2 daughters, I have lost track of them since.

They were great people and contributed a huge amount to the local folk scene.

Subject: RE: Norman Sinclair
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 09 Apr 05 - 02:20 PM

I suggest you PM My Guru Always Said (MGAS), she used to live in the area.

Or you can contact Mike Blair of the Bedford Folk Club via his shop (Bedroom Music) - he's been around the are for some time also.

Subject: RE: Norman Sinclair
From: Peace
Date: 09 Apr 05 - 02:27 PM

genforum.genealogy.com/sinclair/all.html

Sinclair Family Genealogy Forum (All Messages)

Jim,

In the event you haven't tried, maybe post a message to the site above (first is the site, and the second is what to google if the first doesn't work. It is a Sinclair gaeneology site. Someone there will maybe know or direct you to a sister site in the UK where you might have better luck.

Bruce

Subject: RE: Norman Sinclair - What Happened to him?
From: Jim Martin
Date: 29 Apr 05 - 08:24 PM

Just in case anyone who knows them missed this first time around.

Subject: RE: Norman Sinclair - What Happened to him?
From: Jim Martin
Date: 04 Jun 05 - 08:02 AM

For anyone seeing this who may be interested, I have sent a message to the McCalmans email address to see if they can help as they may remember him (and Lena).

Subject: RE: Norman Sinclair - What Happened to him?
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Dec 05 - 07:37 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Norman Sinclair - What Happened to him?
From: GUEST,hen harrier
Date: 17 Jul 06 - 07:29 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Norman Sinclair - What Happened to him?
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 12 Feb 09 - 04:31 AM

For anyone who new Norman, sadly, I have just learned from another thread (Obit: Matt Armour), that he passed away some years ago. That's all I know at the moment.

He made a big impression on me in the local folk scene 20 years ago

R.I.P.

Subject: RE: Norman Sinclair - What Happened to him?
From: GUEST,MC Fat (at work)
Date: 12 Feb 09 - 05:04 AM

Norman as Jim Martin says has passed away. Lena last time I saw her was with John James the guitarist. perhaps he knows a contact.

Subject: RE: Norman Sinclair - What Happened to him?
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 12 Feb 09 - 07:21 AM

Have tried to find a contact address for John James - but no success!

I referred to an incorrect thread - that should have been the 'MC Fat' one

Subject: RE: Norman Sinclair - What Happened to him?
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 17 Feb 09 - 08:00 PM

Contact address for John James - anyone?

Subject: RE: Norman Sinclair - What Happened to him?
From: cptsnapper
Date: 18 Feb 09 - 05:13 AM

From what I understand John seems to have gone to ground: if it's correct then it's a shame because he's one of my top guitarists. Perhaps we should re-start a thread about him as people might not make the connection with this current one. Also Jim, if you become a member, which after all is free, you might find that someone will pm you who otherwise would not want to broadcast the information to the wider world.

Subject: RE: Norman Sinclair - What Happened to him?
From: GUEST,MC Fat (at work)
Date: 18 Feb 09 - 05:48 AM

George I am a member but the cookie is on my home computer.

Subject: RE: Norman Sinclair - What Happened to him?
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 18 Feb 09 - 11:28 AM

I was a member but lapsed because I forgot my details and couldn't be bothered to go through the process of thinking up another stupid ID!

Subject: RE: Norman Sinclair - What Happened to him?
From: GUEST,daughter
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 01:42 PM

Hi there,
Normans' eldest here. Mum (Lena) is married now to John James and they both live in wales. Sadly Dad died of alcohol related illnesses about 4 years ago now. Nice to know he is remembered fondly.
I was just browsing around in case there was any files of them singing together as I dont think there were any recordings.
Best Wishes to all
Gill (eldest of 3!)

Subject: RE: Norman Sinclair - What Happened to him?
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 02:30 PM

Hi Gill, it's lovely to hear from you.I remember you with your sisters at "The Holt", Aspley Guise on Sun nights which I really enjoyed after cycling 9 odd miles in the dark from Leighton Buzzard. Then I had the journey back, often getting home at 2 in the morning, a few hours kip, then up again at 6 to get the train to London. I'm living in Co.Clare, Ireland now where there's plenty of music & "craic" to be had. Best wishes for the season & give my kind regards to your mum next time You speak to her. She came over to the Buzzard Folk Club which I started up in 1985 a couple of times, I loved the stuff she did with Norman and often fondly think back to those happy days!

Subject: RE: Norman Sinclair - What Happened to him?
From: GUEST,Bobbie
Date: 02 Jan 11 - 09:25 AM

Hi, is this the same Lena that worked in the Telephone Exchange in Edinburgh in the early 60's.

Subject: RE: Norman Sinclair - What Happened to him?
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 03 Jan 11 - 07:23 AM

"is this the same Lena that worked in the Telephone Exchange in Edinburgh in the early 60's. "

Gill?

Subject: RE: Norman Sinclair - What Happened to him?
From: GUEST,Bobbie
Date: 03 Jan 11 - 01:28 PM

No sorry not Gill. I knew a Lena and Norman who did folk singing in Edinburgh and I also worked with Lena in Edinburgh. We were part of a group of friends who also went hitch hiking round Scotland.

Subject: RE: Norman Sinclair - What Happened to him?
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 04 Jan 11 - 05:23 AM

Guest "Bobbie" - I put "Gill?" up as she's one of Norman & Lena's 3 daughters and was hoping she might be able to answer your question. She recently contributed to this thread.

Subject: RE: Norman Sinclair - What Happened to him?
From: GUEST,Bobbie
Date: 05 Jan 11 - 07:10 PM

Thanks Jim, would be good to know.

Subject: RE: Norman Sinclair - What Happened to him?
From: GUEST,Sharmain from South Africa
Date: 24 Mar 11 - 03:09 PM

This Norman Sinclair....Did he often visit South Africa regarding teff plantations. He was originally from the old Rhodesia. OMG, we use to often cross lines due to our work. And then never again....I recall how proud he was of his family home (England)

Subject: RE: Norman Sinclair - What Happened to him?
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Nov 12 - 02:01 PM

yes mum did work in the telephone exchange when she was young before she moved to england with dad,

isla x

Subject: RE: Norman Sinclair - What Happened to him?
From: GUEST,Bobbie
Date: 04 May 13 - 06:56 AM

Sorry haven't been on this site for a long time. Im sure your mum will remember me. We were all friends. Frances, Pam and Elsie. The good old days.
Give your mum my best wishes.

Bobbie x