Obit: Ken Stubbs (Norwich, UK - 3 Nov 2008)

Subject: Obit: Ken Stubbs
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 04:04 AM

I've heard from Paul Marsh:

Ken Stubbs died on Monday morning in a nursing home in his adopted home of Norwich. He was 84 and had been ill for a short while.

Ken was a collector active in West Kent and the Ashdown Forest, as well as other places. He compiled 'The Life of a Man' in 1970 for EFDS Publications from the singing of local people, raising the profile of George Spicer, Pop Maynard and many more.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ken Stubbs
From: GUEST,Cats
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 05:58 AM

Ken was a great inspiration to me. He lived 4 houses away and I was a friend of his children when I was young. It was in his house that I first realised the importance of, and heard, many of the singers he recorded. It was in his house that I first saw a CND sign and banner and he took time to explain to a young child, as I was then, the importance of what he believed. It was with this, and the same message from my father, that I went into the world with the expectation that it was part of my job as a human being to stand up for what I believed in and to stand up for others. So, what do I do now? I am a trade union officer standing up for others and in what I believe. Ken always encouraged me to sing and helped me to remember snatches of tunes. I moved away in 1970 and lost contact. Last year at Bideford Festival as I came off stage a gentleman with long white hair, sitting on the front row, caught my arm and said, 'Did you used to live in Lingfield?' When I said yes he just replied, 'I'm Ken Stubbs'. As part of the performance I had given credit to the people I had learned the songs from and one of them was Ken. I am so pleased that I was able to make contact with him again and this year wrote him a long letter to thank him for what he had done for me and to tell him that he had been, and still was, a great inspiration to me. He was tickled pink by it and referred to it as his fan letter! When I had the call on Monday lunchtime, I went into my garden overlooking the moors and sang 'Life of a Man' for him. It seemed the right thing to do. Earlier this year at his daughters request, I sang the same song for his ex wife at Bideford Festival as she had only died a few weeks earlier.
A quiet and unassuming man, a great man, a great inspiration to me. He will be greatly missed. I'm glad I was given the opportunity to say thank you to him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ken Stubbs
From: The Sandman
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 06:24 AM

I never knew him,but I came across his books and the songs he collected,and am grateful.thanks ,RIP.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ken Stubbs
From: Alan Day
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 08:43 AM

Sad news,I remember Ken at the Horsham Folk Club.
Al

Subject: RE: Obit: Ken Stubbs
From: open mike
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 10:45 AM

He sounds like he ofered a lot to society and to music.
I would love to hear that song, Life of a Man. Is it
available on line? Great story--glad you got to thank
him!
(i see mention of it here:http://www.mustrad.org.uk/reviews/jasn.htm)
oh, by the way--what's CND?

Subject: RE: Obit: Ken Stubbs
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 10:57 AM

Although I am familiar with his works I never met Ken, but from Cats' description I know we would have had a lot in common. RIP, Ken. I too am grateful for his contributions.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ken Stubbs
From: GUEST,John from Elsie`s Band
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 11:15 AM

It was through Ken that the "Sing and Play" evenings started at Edenbridge, Marsh Green and Cowden Pound resulting in our long running "Elsie`s" that we have today. Many of us have much to thank him for as well as some hilarious times going round Kent and Sussex. We shall mark his passing at "Elsie`s"on Saturday.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ken Stubbs
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 11:22 AM

Mike,

What's the Life of a Man

CND

Ed

Subject: RE: Obit: Ken Stubbs
From: open mike
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 12:28 PM

thanks for the info
here are 3 of his books
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1295719.Ken_Stubbs

Subject: RE: Obit: Ken Stubbs
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 01:26 PM

Cats, I echo what open mike said above. It sounds as though he was a remarkable man who touched the lives of many. Thanks for sharing with us.

Ed, thank you for the links. What a beautiful song.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ken Stubbs (Funeral 17 Nov)
From: GUEST,Molly Barrett
Date: 14 Nov 08 - 03:11 AM

It's really lovely to read all this appreciation of Ken. I had the privelege of knowing him for many years, as a true friend as well as someone from whom, like Cats, I 'caught' the music and singing. I'll be with you in spirit at Elsie's, John. Sorry you didn't meet him, Steve; last time I was in Whitby we travelled up together, but it's characteristic of his self effacing nature that his presence there wasn't better noticed. His generosity and vigour will be remembered by many far and wide. It would be good to be in touch with those of you who have memories of Ken (as well as your expert perspective, Steve) so a bigger picture of this multi-faceted teacher, collector, gardener, encourager, theosophist and eco-worker can be gathered together. If you'd like to get in touch with me please email me through my website - emendesigns with the usual dot co dot uk suffix.

Ken's funeral will take place in Norwich at 10am on Monday 17th.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ken Stubbs (Norwich, UK - 3 Nov 2008)
From: Foxyloxy
Date: 19 Nov 08 - 06:08 PM

Ken sang in recent years at the Norwich Gatehouse Pub 2nd Sunday session. I knew hardly any of his songs, but I was touched by his willingness to sing a song although he would often stumble with the words or pause to check out the words with the few people who might know the song. It was quite uplifting that he would never be embarassed or stop singing. He seemed to trust his audience to understand that singing a song meant more than just getting all the words right, singing his songs with such evident joy that his demeanour alone lifted spirits in the room, even when it was a song about some unfortunate's miserable death !