I met Marion at Saltburn FOlk Festival on 7 th August 2000, the year I won the shantyman cup in the singing competition. John was there to support and enlisted me as an MC for the festival and sundry concerts. A wonderful cheerful bloke with whom we formed a lasting bond. Over the years John became more than a festival colleague and we often laughed at the problems that the festival threw up. Along with Dave Howden, Kevin Hall, Arthur Marsden and the late Colin Kemp we formed Boomalot shanty crew one year when the Thursday festival club was a bit light on singers and we carry on the tradition looking after the big sing on the festival Sunday night.   We'll miss you John and though you didn't like the publicity of being named as the driving force, with Heather behind the festival we all know what you did to further the great music. We'll miss you greatly mate. You're a hard act to follow. Belay now mate.

Ken & Marion