Haven't permitted myself to visit Mudcat much during the last few years (due to its addictive qualities), but when I heard about Malcolm...

I was shocked to hear this dismal news from FolkieDave at a pub sing in Sheffield last (i.e. Sunday) night. Like so many others, I knew he had been ill, but had no idea just how serious it was. We drank to his memory, and Paul & Liz D. sang one of his favourite songs (an Anglicised version of 'Twa Corbies' which, it turns out, was a Scottish version of a song which originated in Yorkshire... so -- very appropriate.)

Earlier today, Ron & Jenny Day assured me that copies of this thread will be shared with Malcolm's family; they think the family will enjoy being able to see the high esteem in wich Malcolm is held by so many. May it provide some comfort...

As for me, while it has already been mentioned here & there above, I'd just like to emphasize the huge part Malcolm played in the Sheffield & Yorkshire folk scene(s). Although I only met him a couple of times myself, I can tell you that he was one of those people who do a great deal of work 'behind the scenes' -- but isn't necessarily one of the better-known faces -- because he didn't do the high-visibility stuff. A lot of people in the folk scene are in it (at least partly) for the attention and/or enjoy the limelight (that's an observation, not a criticism), but Malcolm -- quietly -- did massive amounts of tedious, 'non-glamourous' work, including setting up & maintaining the South Riding Folk Network website; doing the layout for loads of printed materials for the Sheffield Folk Festival; working on 'Stirrings' -- the local folk publication; and no doubt a fair few other things I don't know about.

Not only that, he coped with tight deadlines and the (too often) late supplying of needed info -- with good humour; a model of grace under pressure. IF he received credit for his contributions, it was usually in small print near the bottom (of whatever). I have a special admiration for those who are honestly not bothered about whether or not they receive any recognition for their efforts, and I believe Malcolm was one of those rare souls.

Sometimes it seems like it's the folks we can least afford to lose who get 'taken away' the soonest...