He was the most charismatic folk singer I've ever seen. I saw him perform at Wivenhoe folk club four years running, and they were among the highlights of my year. My only criticism of him was that he sung pretty much the same songs every time - I'd have liked to have seen more variation in his repertoire from one concert to the next; but he sang them wonderfully, and the sheer verve and joi de vivre with which he sang and played was wonderful to witness. And his vocal parody of Louis Armstrong was extraordinary.

He also exuded an amazing warmth when one met him face to face in the interval.

I was very sad when last year's concert was cancelled due to his illness, and even sadder when I heard he'd died. He has lit up many lives and will certainly be greatly missed.