Obit: Denis Manners MBE

Subject: Obit: Denis Manners MBE
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 10 Jan 09 - 05:39 AM

I can't recall seeing this anywhere but I'm happy to be corrected and combined if there is another elsewhere.

I got my usual Towersey mailing from Mrs Casey Music and was sad to see this entry in there.


Denis William Manners MBE
17 Jan 1920 - 2 Jan 2009

Denis was one of the founders of the Festival and ran the event until the 11th Festival in 1975, but continued working at the event throughout his life.

The first festival in 1965 was a fundraiser for the provision of better toilets in the village hall. At this inaugural event he presented singarounds in the pub and dancing in his garden.

Denis sadly passed away on 2 January. He touched many people's lives through his passion for Folk music, Morris Dancing and his life long commitment to world peace and a fair society for all and will continue to touch the lives of those that come to the Festival.

There's a better biog. from the Thame News, here.

I spoke to Denis many times in my capacity as a steward - I was forever asking him for his pass and he always took it in good grace until I finally managed to recognise him from one year's end to the next. He was a sweetie and always made time to say hello to us stewards. I think we can honestly say, that without him, there would be no Towersey Festival now.

LTS

Subject: RE: Obit: Denis Manners MBE
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 10 Jan 09 - 05:52 AM

He once took me to task for writing in a review that John Kirkpatrick & Martin Carthy singing Nellie The Elephant in the procession was an ancient South Oxfordshire custom. Jokes are never quite so funny if you have to explain them . . .

I'd liked Towersey back then, better than the monster it has become.

Farewell, Denis.

Subject: RE: Obit: Denis Manners MBE
From: The Sandman
Date: 10 Jan 09 - 07:58 AM

yes,sad to see him go.
and yes I preferred Towersey,When it was smaller.

Subject: RE: Obit: Denis Manners MBE
From: steve_harris
Date: 10 Jan 09 - 08:08 AM

Wasn't he the guy behind the wonderful late night cartoon shows at Towersey?

Subject: RE: Obit: Denis Manners MBE
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 10 Jan 09 - 08:22 AM

This is indeed sad news - he always had time to talk to people at Towersey and elsewhere - a great enthuser and organiser, capable - like Bill Rutter at Sidmouth in the 60s and 70s - of getting people involved in folk song and dance.
Regarding the comments about the scale of Towersey than and now, when I interviewed Denis when researching the Sidmouth book, he said "People say to me at Towersey - not like the old days. I say - no, it's not and it's got to change, we can't be like we used to be."
Derek Schofield

Subject: RE: Obit: Denis Manners MBE
From: MikeofNorthumbria
Date: 10 Jan 09 - 05:16 PM

It's very sad to hear that Dennis has left us. I recall him as a key figure at many folk events in and around Oxford during the 1960s, always making a valuable contribution as singer, dancer, compere or organiser. His version of "The night the Old Dun Cow caught fire" was hilarious, and so were his antics as Fool for the Oxford City Morrismen. Before his first Towersey experiment he was already putting on informal concerts for community groups and youth clubs, bringing our kind of music to people who would probably never have dreamed of going into a folk club. A good man who will be sorely missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Denis Manners MBE
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 07 Feb 09 - 03:15 PM

I came across this thread while looking for something else, and hadn't seen it earlier or heard the sad news that Denis had left us. Dave Cooper gave me (and John Kirkpatrick) a lift to Towersey for Denis's folk club a very long time ago... happy memories of the late night Jungle Book showings at the festival. He gave us a lot.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Obit: Denis Manners MBE
From: doncatterall
Date: 08 Feb 09 - 12:23 PM

I met Denis at Folk Camps in the 70s - a lovely bloke with a great sense of fun & a real gent.

RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Denis Manners MBE
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 08 Feb 09 - 12:25 PM

Subject: RE: Obit: Denis Manners MBE
From: Gervase
Date: 08 Feb 09 - 03:20 PM

What a bloody shame - his cartoon shows on Saturday nights used to be one of the highlights of the festival. He was one of life's infectious enthusiasts, and there are too few of them around these days. Still, 89 is a good age. Bless the old bugger!