Obit: Geoff Rodd 24 Nov. 2009

Subject: RE: Obit: Geoff Rodd 24 Nov. 2009
From: GUEST,Geoff the Younger
Date: 02 Jan 10 - 06:15 AM

The planned 'wake' took place on 29th Dec at the Artillery Arms, and what a great evening it was - plenty of performers and a really good atmosphere. Several of Geoff's familiar songs were sung and everyone was in good voice. Thanks to all who turned up.
The Tuesday night sessions at the Artillery will continue - every fortnight starting from 12th Jan.

Subject: RE: Obit: Geoff Rodd 24 Nov. 2009
From: Gweltas
Date: 12 Dec 09 - 01:02 AM

There was a big gathering at Efford Crematorium, Plymouth, on Thursday afternoon for Geoff's funeral. People from far and wide in the folk world travelled from all over (including some who came by ferry from Brittany!) to pay their last respects to Big Geoff. There also were many friends of Geoff's in attendance, who knew him from one or other of his many activities and interests outside of the folk world. When the ceremony was over an impromptu "wake/sing" in Geoff's memory was quickly arranged and those that were free to do so, gathered in a pub closeby. We shared some of our memories of Geoff, and some of his favourite songs were sung, as were many shanties and chorus songs, before we all went our separate ways, around tea time.

A proper folk night to honour his memory and celebrate his life is planned and this has been provisionally scheduled for the Artilliary Arms for December 29th. This pub was flooded during recent inclement weather, and has been closed while remedial work is being carried out, and it is hoped that it will have reopened for business again by the 29th ... hence the provisional nature of the date !

Unfortunately I won't be back from America by then and consequently I won't be in a position to give any update on this situation, meantime. Therefore all I can suggest is to keep in touch with his close friends to receive confirmation on the arrangements for this special night. Hopefully someone will think of posting the details in this forum.
Anne XX.

Subject: RE: Obit: Geoff Rodd 24 Nov. 2009
From: Cats
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 12:43 PM

Geoff was a very kind man, with a wicked sense of humour, an amzing range of songs and a kind hug whenever you were feeling down. He will be sorely missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Geoff Rodd 24 Nov. 2009
From: GUEST,crooked roots ermington session.
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 12:35 PM

geoff was a kind and caring man.his pressence lifted any session he joined in,he was a big man in every way,god bless geoff,from charlie kathleen and all at the ermington session.

Subject: RE: Obit: Geoff Rodd 24 Nov. 2009
From: Jenny S
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 07:27 AM

Hope to be at Efford on Thursday, Brittany Ferries permitting... anyone got a spare bed for a couple of nights??

Subject: RE: Obit: Geoff Rodd 24 Nov. 2009
From: Gweltas
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 04:23 AM

I was introduced to Geoff by my late husband, Maurice Truscott, who loved shanty singing !! I quickly learned that Goff was a founder member of the Hanging Johnny Shanty Crew and, any time the crew had a gig in our area, we happily went along to hear them sing. I loved Geoff's bass singing voice and he had a wealth of really great songs at his command. He was a lovely kind man, and I will miss him. In recent years our paths always crossed at the Padstow May Day celebrations and we had many an interesting chat down by the harbour.
Last time I heard him sing was at the Dartmoor Folk Festival in South Zeal in August and he was in fine singing form then, God rest him.
I will be at Efford to pay my last respects on Thursday.
Anne XX.

Subject: RE: Obit: Geoff Rodd 24 Nov. 2009
From: GUEST,Geoff the Younger
Date: 06 Dec 09 - 02:17 PM

I first remember Geoff from Monday evenings at the Plume of Feathers, Princetown - about 30 years ago; Geoff would wander around the pub singing his saucy songs and being the beacon around whom people gathered. When I moved to Stonehouse about 10 years or more ago, I bumped into Geoff again on a Tuesday evening down the Artillery Arms, and he got me back into folk singing. There will be a big empty space on the seat on Tuesdays, now, but we will carry on in his memory. God speed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Geoff Rodd 24 Nov. 2009
From: Jenny S
Date: 05 Dec 09 - 12:11 PM

The Funeral will be held at Efford Crematorium, Plymouth on Thursday December 10th at 3pm.

Subject: RE: Obit: Geoff Rodd 24 Nov. 2009
From: GUEST,pubdrummer
Date: 03 Dec 09 - 02:58 PM

Thanks Geoff we'll miss you

Subject: RE: Obit: Geoff Rodd 24 Nov. 2009
From: GUEST,Nic HJ
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 03:12 PM

I heard the sad news from another mutual friend last Thursday. We were to have been at a meeting on the 3rd December together where Geoff would have been putting his voice to good use again!
I am not aware of the arrangemetns yet.

I also understand that the Artillery was flooded out yesterday Sunday) so may not be in action for Tuesday.....

Subject: RE: Obit: Geoff Rodd
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 12:39 PM

Met him at Crediton this year, he knew some great songs.

Subject: RE: Obit: Geoff Rodd
From: Sugwash
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 12:28 PM

Does anyone know the funeral arrangements?

Subject: RE: Obit: Geoff Rodd
From: Sugwash
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 08:46 AM

I am truly shocked, I've know Geoff for well over thirty years. I too enjoyed his company only a couple of weeks ago, he was in fine voice then and I was looking forward to the sing-around at the Artillery tomorrow. A big bloke with a big voice and a never ending supply of awful jokes; the bass line of the heavenly choir will be getting a boost.

Andy Sugden

Subject: Obit: Geoff Rodd
From: Jenny S
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 06:20 AM

"Big" Geoff Rodd left this world suddenly last Wednesday.

He was 73, and still in fine voice and fettle when we spent our last happy evening with him just a couple of weeks ago.

Geoff was a very kind man who regularly shared with us his songs and recordings. Many are the singaround groups and clubs that will miss his big voice and kind heart.

We have lost one of the Westcountry's finest traditional singers.

Not only a fine singer, Geoff was also a respected judge in the world of Chrysanthemums, and a keen investigator into his family history - which he had traced back to the great Grimaldi.