If you don't know him, Dave Pope is an excellent singer and all round musician, playing fiddle, guitar, mandolin specializing in old country songs, Bluegrass and Old Time tunes, who was often to be found at Bluegrass festivals running a session round his portable camp fire that I really loved to be at. The songs, tunes and humour were magic.
Last January his wife, Jen vanished in the last couple of weeks of a six month South America back packing trip, after reaching Banos in Equador. Dave and his son Stef dropped their jobs and went as soon as they could. They've kept the local police on their toes, and it now looks like a suspect will soon be brought to trial. They're keeping a diplomatic silence about the competence of the cops, but reading between the lines it looks like they need to be there for justice to be done, and to wait out appeals and general legal time wasting.
So, if you want to help, go to the Ceilidh or use the link in the previous message to contribute to the fund.
Thanks
Ray