Pete Elliott

On Thursday January 13th, at 7p.m. Pete Elliott passed on to his eternal reward. Nenagh Singers Circle take this opportunity of extending our deepest sympathy to his wife Pat and the rest of the Elliott family. Pete will be missed by everyone who had the fortune to meet with him. He was one of the world's finest gentlemen who encouraged many "ordinary" singers to perform whilst numbering amongst his close friends some of the best professional singers in the field of folk music.

The Birtley folk club was founded in 1962 and was one of the foremost clubs during the "revival" in the sixties. But the Elliotts' were never part of the revival. They didn't need to be because they all exuded and continue to exude the living tradition from every pore of their bodies.

Whilst we are all saddened by Pete's passing we must both celebrate his life and ensure that his songs, and those of his father Jack, live on. We only borrow the tradition during the course of our lives and then hand it on to following generations. Pete handled his "loan" with love and affection and we all know the tradition was safe in his hands.

We thank Pat and Pete sincerely for entering our lives during the past 8 months. Although George Henderson knew the Elliott's before he came to Ireland in 1971, the rest of us in Nenagh met them for the first time in May 1999. They provided us with a night which we will delight in relating to our children and grandchildren. Mike Scanlan, Tom Joe Spillane and George Hendeerson will also remember the wonderful reception they received in Birtley in October and the great night enjoyed amongst new found friends.

Nenagh Singers Circle, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.