I'd like to add my congratulations too.

When I started singing in the 60s it was in the folk clubs of Teesside and, apart from a couple of songs by Ron Angel of the Fettlers, the only local songs were those written by Graeme. So I grew up in those clubs singing his songs and it was good to see them gradually taken up by singers all around the country. And as Hazel says his work encouraged others to follow in his footsteps, writing songs about the life and times of the area.

I only met Graeme once I think (IIRC, Vin introduced me to him at a Redcar festival in the early 70s) and seen him elsewhere only a few times, but his songs have been with me for the last 45 or so years. And though some of the songs have dropped out (it's years since I sang Guisborough Road or Procession, two of those songs from my earliest repertoire) Sea Coal, Eldorado and The Shores of Old Blighty still make appearances in my singing.

So again I'd like to add my congratulations to a very deserving writer on receiving this award.

Mick
Mick