Martin Graebe sent this message last night to members of the Traditional Song Forum and I thought someone should pass it on here. I have no other information beyond endorsing Martin's comments and recording my own regret.

Richard


I am sorry to tell you that one of our longest serving members, Bob Patten, passed away at the weekend. His wife, Jackie, tells me that:

"Bob was in the hospice for the last 30 hours, I slept there for two nights. Prior to that he had still been enjoying every minute, holding court at home as I teased him, helping set the agenda for a meeting that he would normally have chaired, and writing the job description for his successor. Truly remarkable, people who visited said that they left feeling uplifted and peaceful, and smiling at the fact that Bob's wonderful sense of humour was still coming through".

Bob collected folklore, songs and carols of North Devon and Somerset, usually in association with Jackie and, as well as their publications, a large body of their recordings can be heard in the British Library Sound Archive.

Bob was unfailingly helpful to other folk enthusiasts, and always good company. Our thoughts go to Jackie and to their family and friends. He will be greatly missed.

Martin Graebe