Alan was a much-loved and respected member of the morris community, initially as a dancer and later as a musician for Shakespeare Morris and also for an itinerant morris side, Ragged Robin, with whom he toured in Europe, Alaska, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. His availability was sometimes limited due to singing engagements at shanty festivals and elsewhere. As a singer he was a stalwart of the Middle Bar in the Anchor Inn at the Sidmouth Folk festival.
He had been increasingly unwell during the past year or so, but was reticent about it, and continued enjoying his activities as long as he could. On being informed of Ragged Robin's plans for this year, he responded laconically, "I don’t think I’ll be available for anything in 2020. Stay healthy. Live long & prosper. Enjoy life! Alan".
His funeral on April 3rd was of necessity limited to close family. The planned wake was postponed and will now take place on Saturday March 27th 2021 at the Fleece Inn, Bretforton. The funeral order of service includes a lengthy autobiographical account of his life with many photographs and is available as a pdf. I'm not sure whether it can be posted somewhere for those interested.