Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011

Subject: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear)
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 Oct 11 - 06:50 AM

I thought there might already be a thread on this but it seems not. I was not a close friend of the Rules but knew them to an extent, so I hope I do not intrude by starting this.

The Rules and their band Pig's Ear (Grant, Sue, Keith, Lynsey and occasional others) have been long-term stalwarts of the Kent and southern UK folk scene with a good number of CDs to their credit as well as the wonderful Pig's Ear mini-festival at Markbeech for the last several years.

I understand that Grant was on his boat and may have been propelled overboard by the boom.

I am sure that all will sympathise with the family and wish them the strength to carry on.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear)
From: Sarah the flute
Date: 27 Oct 11 - 11:57 AM

How sad. I remember Grant from the old Croydon days in the Ship Folk Club. They arrived plus carrycot !
My condolences to the family at what must be a distressing time.

Sarah

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 27 Oct 11 - 01:37 PM

I'm shocked! We heard what had happened from Keith yesterday and are just stunned. Goodbye to a wonderful man, and my condolences to Sue. Lyndsey, and Helen, along with Keith and father. Such a blow, I just don't know what to say.

John Barden

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear)
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 27 Oct 11 - 01:54 PM

I was dumbfounded when I heard the news.

I have known Grant for many years. He had an infectious appetite for all life had to offer and was not only a stalwart of the Croydon Folksong Club for many years, but also a much respected IT expert, sailor, archer and historian. Sue and Grant have done wonders for the world of folk between them and many people will know of Grant through the work of Hamfisted, Pig's Ear and the Pig's Ear Folk Ale in Kent.

The last conversation I had with him was when we were discussing the analysis of dust in old buildings (and guitar cases) and the research being done on the historical information that such dust might contain!

I am proud and privileged to have been a friend of his, deeply saddened by his passing yet take comfort from the fact that he died doing something he loved.

Jenny and I send our condolences to Sue, Lyndsey and Helen.

Peter

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear)
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 27 Oct 11 - 02:00 PM

The sad news of death of Grant's death is colouring my world a dolorous blue right now. Condolences to his wife Sue and his daughters and brother.

RIP Grant

Grant on dulcimer

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear)
From: melodeonboy
Date: 27 Oct 11 - 02:28 PM

Not only a lovely man from a lovely family, but someone who, along with others in his family, did so much for others in the folk music scene.

A great loss. My condolences to his family.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear)
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 27 Oct 11 - 03:03 PM

more of the music

I love Sausages.. Never got to see it performed live.

Wish they had Welcome Cold November online. Absolutely brilliant song.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear)
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 27 Oct 11 - 03:34 PM

I can't tell you how sad I feel right now. Our deepest sympathies go out to Grant's family.

The world is the poorer for his loss.

Don & Winnie T

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear)
From: The Sandman
Date: 27 Oct 11 - 04:21 PM

I am sorry to hear this, I remember Grant from the Waddon.Dick Miles

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear)
From: Girl Friday
Date: 27 Oct 11 - 04:25 PM

I heard the news from Ron T- B this afternoon. "The Piggies" are good friends, both personally, and to our several folk clubs. Grant performed a solo floor spot at Orpington, just a few Fridays ago. Such a shame that the duo could not on at Pete Twytchett's gig a few weeks later.So many lovely things have already been said above, I can only echo them. The folk scene in Kent and environs has lost a great man.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear)
From: growler
Date: 27 Oct 11 - 04:49 PM

Sad news. Not much more to say

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Oct 11 - 10:11 PM

We were told about this very sad news this evening by Ty. Words are hard to find or describe or help at such a time. But the voice and the music and the soul will live on. Let us raise the parting glass and remember a talent and a man who will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his famuly and friends. A lovely man indeed!! Kevin and Keith from Brandywine Music.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: fisheye
Date: 28 Oct 11 - 09:52 AM

My thoughts and condolences to his family. At his request I managed to capture a good part of Pigs Ear Festival 2011 including most of their performances.
He will be missed by many.

fisheye

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: Royston
Date: 28 Oct 11 - 01:39 PM

What a shock! I just saw a notice on Orpington Friday Folk's website. RIP, Grant. Pig's Ear are one of the local bands that switched me on to folk music twenty-odd years ago. So sorry for the Rule family.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: vectis
Date: 28 Oct 11 - 03:32 PM

Heard the news from Terry K when in Flanders Fields, what a shock. My condolences to all the family.
Grant will be missed by many people in and around Kent.
Mary

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: GUEST,John from "Elsie`s Band"
Date: 28 Oct 11 - 03:36 PM

On behalf of "Elsie`s Band" may I offer our deepest condolences to Sue, Lynsey, Keith and all family members on the tragic death of Grant. He was an ever welcome and familiar visitor to "Elsie`s" and his passing is a great loss to the Edenbridge singing community.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: Dead Horse
Date: 28 Oct 11 - 08:37 PM

Too sad for words.
Folk music is the better for having known him.
RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: Essex Girl
Date: 29 Oct 11 - 09:25 AM

Very sad news indeed, so sorry for your loss Sue and family.Grant will be much missed.
Linda & Alan

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: GUEST,Brian & Reverend Janice Stevens.
Date: 29 Oct 11 - 11:47 AM

We have only just heard the sad news. Our sympathies go out to the Rule family. He will be missed. RIP Grant. May God be with you all.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 29 Oct 11 - 12:30 PM

Devastated for Sue and Lyndsey and Helen. Only now finding out so much about Grant apart from his folkie expertise. What a fantastic fella he was and will always be. judith and bill

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: Girl Friday
Date: 29 Oct 11 - 12:43 PM

There were a lot of Grant's friends at Friday Folk Orpington last night, and our minute of silence before the gig was totally respected by all. You could have heard a feather drop probably.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 29 Oct 11 - 01:28 PM

What a wonderful thing to have done.

Thanks Orpington.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: Girl Friday
Date: 29 Oct 11 - 01:40 PM

We do this each time we lose a friend... thankfully, not that often.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 30 Oct 11 - 01:59 PM

...a lovely idea none the less....

There are some lovely tributes from the IT world on the web....

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: GUEST,Cousin Larry in the U.S.
Date: 31 Oct 11 - 07:18 AM

Ben, Sue, Keith, Alan,
I heard the news today via my son on Facebook. Though we are separated by ocean, years and musical genre, no less feeling your loss. I am so glad to have met you all again back in 2006 especially now with the loss of Grant. Those memories just increased in value to me. I hope that you can continue the Pig's Ear legacy and some day hope to sit in with you. Love to all. Larry.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: GUEST,Wee Jock
Date: 31 Oct 11 - 08:09 AM

Just to reiterate what many people have said, Folk Music in Kent has lost an excellent musician and also a good person, Condolences to all the family from Dean and John -Border Crossing.


John Matthews

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: naughtyforty
Date: 01 Nov 11 - 04:40 AM

So sorry to hear this shocking news - deepest sympathy for the whole family
Rachael & Izzie

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: GUEST,Doug Hudson
Date: 01 Nov 11 - 03:26 PM

Grant and Pig's Ear have been a mainstay at Rochester Sweeps Festival, making the City Wall Wine Bar stage a mini festival on its own for many years.
Artists, dancers, organisers, musicians and Joe Public will miss him greatly.
Doug Hudson

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 02 Nov 11 - 06:13 PM

I've been recalling the words of that song of Jerry Rasmussen...Handful of songs...

How many days slip away without notice?
How many friends do we lose on the way?
How many good times are taken for granted?

Peter

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: GUEST,Micky Sandall (Round House Folk)
Date: 06 Nov 11 - 04:28 AM

Our sunday night sessions at the Kentish Horse and Wheatsheaf will be so much the poorer for the loss of one of the best singers of a folk song I have heard. On the day he died we remarked at the end of the Wheatsheaf session that Pigs Ear had not arrived and we rounded off the night with what, for many of us, is one of Grant's best songs - Cousin Jack - unaware, of course, that he was no longer with us. A massive loss but what a legacy of inspired people has has left.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 06 Nov 11 - 11:26 AM

Only just seen this as I'm working away in India at the moment with limited web access. I can only add my shock sorrow and condolences to the Rule family. I loved listening to Grant playing and singing.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Nov 11 - 03:04 PM

Bugger. Just...... bugger.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: Mr Fox
Date: 06 Nov 11 - 03:07 PM

That last one was me, btw. Too upset to even log in properly.

Been to the sweeps festival every year for God Knows and the Piggies have always been a fixture.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: GUEST,Skynflynt people!
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 02:35 PM

We are only now coming to terms with the loss of Grant. I could not believe it when Keith phoned! So very, very sad....
We have had many good times performing together over the years with the Piggy people. A great bunch of extremely talented people.
Sympathies to all..... Much love - Alan, Chris, Robin, Bob.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: Pigstrings
Date: 11 Nov 11 - 11:16 AM

Thank you all for your kind words. We are all stepping very, very carefully around the yawning Grant-shaped hole in our lives. I am holding on to my two utterly brilliant daughters and it is the love and support of our family and so many good friends, colleagues and fellow musicians that is keeping us from falling over the edge.

Grant touched so many lives, influenced so many people, that he will stay with us in so many ways. His song will be sung by generations who won't even know who wrote it. We will be setting up The Grant Rule Trust to support the continuation of all the things Grant was so active in promoting. More about it anon, but donations in Grant's memory are being accepted by the funeral directors Alex Jones Ltd., 29-31 High Street, Edenbridge, TN8 5AD.

Sue

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: growler
Date: 11 Nov 11 - 04:31 PM

Hi Sue
You would have been playing at the Good Intent in December. The night will be dedicated to Grant. We'll have a good night hosted by Bob Kenward, but will try and fill the void
Simon

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: Girl Friday
Date: 12 Nov 11 - 01:43 PM

Orpington Friday Folk should nhave had it's Christmas Party with The Piggies. (It's become a tradition in recent years.) Our evening has not been planned as yet, but proceeds will be going to the Trust. Need to get Children In Need out of the way first.

Does anyone want to come and sing for Grant on December 16th ?

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 12 Nov 11 - 01:49 PM

The official Pignews contains the very welcome news that the Pigs Ear festival will proceed in 2012. It would be a very suitable time for us to remember him again. And I'm sure we all offer our assistance in any way we can, both then and generally.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Nov 11 - 03:10 PM

I was so shocked to receive the news of Grant's death from the Pig's Ear e mail newsletter.
We didn't know Grant well, but have attended many a Folk Ale, Marsh Green Festival and singaround, coming down to Kent from our home in Westcliff on sea, Essex.
Grant was a great singer and musician, and will be very sadly missed by all who knew him and his music.
Our thoughts are with Sue and the girls, Keith and all the family at this very sad time.

Jessie and Keith Skinner.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 20 Nov 11 - 11:59 AM

Shocked and stunned, and as said by all a great loss. from all your fellow musicians and folk music fans at the old house at home in dormansland your style and passion will be sadly missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: vectis
Date: 20 Nov 11 - 03:28 PM

Grant was toasted by all at the Seaford Folk Club on Friday night. I just wish I could have made it to The Kentish Horse but haven't learned the knack of being in two places at once yet.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Grant Rule (Pig's Ear) October 2011
From: GUEST,Selina Young
Date: 17 Jun 13 - 04:12 PM

We have only just found out the sad news. I was secretary to Terry Dolan and the computer department at the Daily Telegraph early 80's. Grant was a lovely man and he encouraged me to go sailing on a 22ft ketch to Sark, Guernsey and cherboug with Captain and a cook and crew of 9 with David Woodhouse, steve comber (both in the computer department too) and Grant's wife Sue. They kindly let me stay at their home in kent before we all travelled down to the island cruising club in Salcombe.
If Sue reads this - I am married to Pete Young from DT and we are still in contact with John Matthews and Colin who also were in the Computer Dept and feel like us very sad to learn the news.