I received the sad news from his wife today, that Hank passed on a couple of weeks ago.

Hank was the former organiser and MC of Harlow folk club when it was based at the Square, Harlow in the late eighties and early nineties. Some people who were involved in the club either as audience or performers may remember him well.

He was a real character. A kind person who nevertheless managed to end up in many scrapes during his life. One of my favourite stories about him is when a booked performer at the club, who will remain nameless, mentioned in his act that he'd done time in Aylesbury Prison. Hank immediately piped up that he'd in there as well and what governor did he have? They ended up having a reunion while the bemused audience looked on.

We were drinking buddies for many years and I was best man at his wedding in 2006 when he had moved to the East Midlands. We lost contact after that but I gather that he still attended folk clubs occasionally.

His wife told me he had a heart attack and it was a quick end.

God bless you Hank

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