2026 Obit: Ian Russell UK

Subject: Obit: Ian Russell
From: r.padgett
Date: 18 May 26 - 02:03 AM

I have been advised by Roy Hardacre of the passing of the Carolling collector Ian Russell

Ian collected and totally engaged with the Sheffield/South Yorkshire Christmas tradition of singing the "Local carols" at Christmas time

The Carols continue in the traditional local pubs around Sheffield into Derbyshire and further afield and have travelled world wide too

RIP Ian Russell

Ray

Subject: RE: Obit: Ian Russell
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 18 May 26 - 04:30 AM

What a great loss to the tradition of folk music - and Whitby Folk Week too.

When he first enquired where he could find folk songs in Sheffield, he was told, "You won't find any round here!"

The survival of traditional carol singing in South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire will be his legacy.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ian Russell
From: GUEST,Lang Johnnie Mor
Date: 18 May 26 - 05:49 AM

A great loss to traditional music in Aberdeen as well. More on this later.
RIP, Ian.

Subject: RE: 2026 Obit: Ian Russell UK
From: Nick Dow
Date: 18 May 26 - 09:38 AM

I heard this yesterday. He contacted me just after Whitby and seemed to be positive about the future. Another great man gone. So sorry to hear this sad news. RIP Ian.
Nick

Subject: RE: 2026 Obit: Ian Russell UK
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 18 May 26 - 10:31 AM

Sad condolences to Norma and the family. Ian was a giant in the field of song collecting and research. He will be greatly missed in Yorkshire and Aberdeenshire, but much wider afield as well.

Subject: RE: 2026 Obit: Ian Russell UK
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 18 May 26 - 10:58 AM

Echoing the above post. Another good man gone, a major force in collecting and research and a great singer to boot. How tragic. Condolences to Norma and family. RIP Ian.

Subject: RE: 2026 Obit: Ian Russell UK
From: GUEST,Lang Johnnie Mor
Date: 18 May 26 - 01:13 PM

Statement released on Facebook by the Elphinstone Institute of Aberdeen University:

"We're profoundly saddened by the news that our friend and former director, Emeritus Professor Ian Russell MBE, passed away this weekend. It's difficult in a social media post to say all the things that Ian was to so many different people. As director of the Elphinstone Institute, University of Aberdeen, he initiated or supported countless festivals and community engagement projects including the Boaties Project, the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention, Button Boxes & Moothies, the Cullerlie Traditional singing weekend, the Polish-Scottish Song Group, and countless more. He hired Stanley Robertson to lead the innovative 'Oral and Cultural Traditions of Scottish Travellers' project and made deep community connections between the Institute and the broader region.

Ian was one of the great fieldworkers, and many people will remember him with recording machine in hand, documenting, for example, the Temperance walks in Cairnbulg, Inverallochy, and St Combs, or recording public events, sessions, Burns Suppers, and much more. He was perhaps most famous for documenting, supporting, and writing about the rich carolling traditions of the Pennines for half a century.

For our staff and students, Ian was a constant source of enthusiasm and a model for ethical fieldwork, working with communities to create long-term sustainable partnership models. We will miss Ian greatly, and would like to express our condolences to his wife Norma, who was ever-present by Ian's side, and a key part of almost all of the projects listed above (and many more). We also express our condolences to Joe Russell (Ian and Norma's son) and Tomas Russell (their grandson), about both of whom Ian would speak with great pride.
We'll be singing songs in Ian's memory tonight and for many nights to come. "

A musical life, well lived. Ian will be missed, but not forgotten. RIP.