It's still not really sunk in that I won't see him again. So many good memories of him at work and at play:

• coming out of the Spa Hotel in Saltburn at 06.45, walking up the hill and then chatting outside his B&B for another half hour
• Col defusing a potentially violent situation with his own brand of common sense, humour and savvy between a very drunk and very angry performer and a pugnaciously officious security guard
• listening to him snoring for England in various classrooms and village halls throughout the land
• his unfailing cheerfulness and helpfulness to everyone: he always found time to listen and to let you know he understood
• Col hiding his Chief Steward badge when a late night open air sing at the "Mudpatch Café" at Upton festival brought a complaint from a sleep-deprived lady
• his hugs
• his wonderful way with kids of all ages.

Too many more memories to list them all, but you get the picture. We have lost one of the very, very best, and there is a huge hole in the middle of the British folk world.

Sleep well, Col. If it had to happen, I'm thankful it was the way you wanted it.