Hello all. I have just received word from Marks widow Karen, that it is OK TO BRING INSTRUMENTS TO CEDAR COURT, on the condition, that NOTHING is done untill after people have eaten and had a chat, so LET'S 'AVE YER !!
Also below, is the obit that will appear in Tykes News in the spring addition.
Karen wanted it placed here and anywhere else people from out the area might read it.
Thank you all again

Spike



                        Mark Longster R.I.P.

It is with the greatest sadness, and profound sorrow, that I have to inform the many people who had the pleasure to know him, and admire him, of the passing on Dec 5th, of Mark Longster, after a short illness.
Beloved husband to Karen, and adored father to Caitlin, his leaving was very sudden, and too soon.
Many knew Mark was seriously ill, but this did not decrease the shock felt by the news.

He was known throughout the folk and country scene, for that "dark brown voice", which had effects on large members of the population not unlike a gallon of Babycham, and a kilo of chocolate !! The power and subtlety of that voice could take you from the highest high to the lowest low, from one song to another, whilst his soft and gentle manner between, lulled you into a false sense of security unprepared for the next vocal assault on your emotions. A velvet hammer.

I was proud to call him my best friend for many years, and to most that knew him, that would give you an idea of some of the amazing times we had playing together up and down the country over the years. He really WAS as laid back as he seemed (most of the time !), which led me to often say that "I'd wake him up when the next song started"!!

He was not only a good guitar player, but to my great envy and annoyance, played most instruments with strings on, including the mandolin, mandola, bouzouki, banjo and even the violin!!
He would practically have a hernia laughing at me, after frequently trying to show me how to play this circus of instruments, and my complete failure to be able to do so !

The encouragement of others.
There are lots of you out there, who I know, owe Mark a debt of gratitude for his encouragement and support in starting out playing in public, or coming back into performing. He was a firm believer in the open house style of sing arounds, regardless of the genre (well maybe excepting modern jazz, and boy bands !!) As such, he would cajole, persuade, and encourage, anyone with the wish to perform, and would even accompany them if necessary. He had time for everyone.

He was a firm supporter of many folk clubs, and visited as many as he could when health allowed, as long as he could "get a go", he'd go there. He was also well respected as an organiser of clubs and concerts, The popular Thursday night Mill Folk, at past and present venue, and the famous monthly concerts at Pannal, where the biggest names in folk were happy to come and perform because Mark was organising it ,were just two of the many venues he was involved in over the years, which I know many, many people have, and still, enjoy. He liked making people happy. He made a lot of people happy, especially when playing with other people.

Over the last few years, he has enjoyed fantastic partnerships with Michael Forsythe as Copper Kettle, with Ann Jackson and Chris Rawnsley as Northern Lights, with Iain Glover as Early Doors. With Roger Knowles, Malc Deveraux, Duncan McFarlane, Gerry McNeice, some bloke called Spike, as a rock god lead guitarist with the Davy Young band, (yes really !!) and the myriad of other talented people over many many genres. He loved making music.

Away from the music, he and I shared the other major passion in his life - FISHING !
I persuaded him (eventually!) to became involved in my passion of carp fishing. Long lovely sun-kissed days and evenings in the summer, pursuing the impossible. I will always remember with pride and joy his delight at catching his first 20lb carp.
He in turn introduced me to getting cold, wet, miserable, frustrated and hypothermic trying to catch cod from a beach ! I always thought there was something slightly wrong about THAT deal !!
I remember him (again!) being reduced to a state of helplessness and having to retire to the car for safety, at me losing a large cod at Whitby, because the reel became detached from the rod, and him not helping me because (he SAID) he couldn't hear me because of the wind. (despite him standing there with tears rolling down his face!) Eeeee we did laugh (not)

And that's something we did do. We laughed - a lot. Not just me either, but most people who met him. He possessed a rapier-like wit and speed of response, that always made me smile when combined with that laid back delivery and voice. You were helpless.

So, Mark is no longer with us. His memory, his spirit and his soul, will go on however. He left a legacy of kindness and admiration that so many will carry for a long time.
I always tell people, if you want to hear Mark doing what he does best, and me doing my backroom bit at the max, listen to the track "Gone to Sea" from his album of self penned songs Looking Back.
Now THAT'S my mate.

He was my best friend, mentor and like my brother. I miss him terribly.
"He was a man, and a friend always"

Goodbye mate we WILL meet again one day.


Spike