I've had the pleasure of meeting Sophie several times, the last being when I recorded Viv's album for Veteran in 2005. Viv had spent time teasing out lots of Sophie's odd memories of songs - a line here and a line there - and then letting them lie for a bit to see what came back. I'd fed her a verse or two of 'A Sailor's Life' and the next time I saw her she'd got a modified version (or reversion) to sing. With Sophie's help, Viv reconstructed a number of songs this way, including some that had been in her Dad's repertoire, and sang them on the album.

Sophie was a no nonsense lady who told it like it was. Her stories of life in transition from traveller to settled traveller were spellbinding. Her recordings for Pete Coe, two decades ago, were really superb.

I'm sorry she's gone but she had her time and left a great legacy.

Condolences to all the family.

Johnny Adams