Obit: Harry Mousdell of Horsham

Subject: Obit: Harry Mousdell of Horsham
From: Vic Smith
Date: 10 Sep 12 - 07:57 AM

Harry died yesterday (9th August 2012) after a long struggle with cancer. For something like 6 decades he was one of the main movers and shaker of the folk cong and dance scene in Sussex. He was involved in the formation of the first folk club in Sussex, The Horsham Songswappers in the late 1950s and had been involved in organising and performing in folk clubs and festivals in and around Horsham ever since.
He was a prominent member of The Chanctonbury Ring Morris when I joined in the early 1970s, though with the growing interest in morris at that time he moved on to found the Broadwood Morris in Horsham not long afterwards. A long term friend and musical associate Simon Furey pays this tribute:-

My old friend and best man Harry Mousdell died yesterday. Singer, dancer, founder of Broadwood Morris, he was a real character. Just over a week ago, I went across to Crawley where I spent several hours with him at the hospice. His daughter Vivien was there too. It was clear that he had not got long to go, though he was cheerful about everything. He said he had done everything he wanted to do, had had many adventures and was happy to go. In typical fashion, he regaled me with entertaining tales of his travels in France, China and Nepal. He was refusing anything but the most basic medication since they told him that treatment would only prolong his life by a couple of months. He added that his body had packed up; amongst other things he had renal failure and his heart wasn't working properly any more. He was 81. Bearing in mind that he had survived since his youth on only one lung, he didn't do at all badly. He will be missed.

Here is a video of Harry singing at the Horsham folk club last October.

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Mousdell of Horsham
From: GUEST,George Frampton
Date: 10 Sep 12 - 08:15 AM

Regretfully, I don't think I met 'Old Harry' as he was affectionately known, although our paths must have crossed in the world of the Morris at some time as he was a long-time and revered member of Broadwood Morris.
I know Sean Goddard interviewed him about six months ago, and I'm grateful to both him and Sean for taking the trouble, as it contained memories of chauffeuring Scan Tester and George Spicer in the Ashdown Forest in the 1950/60s when the 'folk' world first got interested.

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Mousdell of Horsham
From: Vic Smith
Date: 10 Sep 12 - 08:16 AM

See Irene Shettle's photo of Harry (the hatless one) with Broadwood Morris at Rusper on Boxing Day 2006 by clicking here

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Mousdell of Horsham
From: Will Fly
Date: 10 Sep 12 - 08:58 AM

Harry was a regular at the Charlwood village singaround - 2nd Monday of the month - first at the Rising Sun, then the Half Moon and then the Rising Sun again.

We're meeting at the Sun as usual tonight - I'm sure there'll be several songs dedicated to the rumbustious old boy, just as I'm sure we'll sorely miss him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Mousdell of Horsham
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 10 Sep 12 - 01:00 PM

A great character. He had a fine, full version of I Wish They'd Do It Now - probably from George Townsend of Lewes, I think. He sang The Sussex Toast a lot, and used to recite the epitaph from Michael Turner's tombstone while people played Michael Turner's Waltz quietly in the background.

Valmai (Lewes)

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Mousdell of Horsham
From: Surreysinger
Date: 10 Sep 12 - 03:44 PM

News I was sorry to hear today. I can't claim to have known Harry long - I first met him rather late on in the day. As in every year since the Electric Theatre in Guildford opened he was present there with Broadwood Morris in December 2004 for one of several performances of "Maypoles to Mistletoe" (now the longest running regular booking at the theatre), and happened to see an advert in the theatre for a forthcoming performance of a show on Lucy Broadwood and Sabine Baring-Gould that I was involved in.He asked to be introduced to me and after that meeting he generously loaned me a large collection of papers that he had about Lucy Broadwood, some of which I had never seen before. We stayed in contact for quite a while after that, and met again once or twice at events related to Sussex. Harry was effectively responsible for the first invitation I received to sing outside Guildford - in Horsham Parish Church for a Christmas concert featuring music from the area, and also involving Broadwood Morris. He always seemed to display a proprietorial and concerned interest in how my research and talks on Lucy Broadwood were going. RIP Harry, and many thanks for your help along the way.

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Mousdell of Horsham
From: Will Fly
Date: 10 Sep 12 - 06:52 PM

11.50pm and just home after seeing the old boy off in style at the Rising Sun - lots of songs sung that he used to regale us with, including "Thousands Or More", and we certainly raised the roof in his memory.

RIP Old Harry!

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Mousdell of Horsham
From: Surreysinger
Date: 10 Sep 12 - 07:51 PM

Good to hear Will.

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Mousdell of Horsham
From: vectis
Date: 10 Sep 12 - 07:57 PM

I saw Harry in May and he told me then that he was "buggered" and hadn't long to go. He was a smashing chap and will be missed by many of us.

To lose him and Den in a weekend is a cruel joke by some god or other.

I have drunk nine and I will drink ten...

Cheers Harry

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Mousdell of Horsham
From: Will Fly
Date: 11 Sep 12 - 03:50 AM

Mary, it's the God of Age - he does for us all in the end.

As we sang last night, "What is the life of a man compared to a leaf?" - one of Harry's regular offerings at the Rising Sun.

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Mousdell of Horsham
From: Splott Man
Date: 11 Sep 12 - 04:08 AM

A fine singer and an inspiration.

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Mousdell of Horsham
From: SussexCarole
Date: 11 Sep 12 - 06:20 AM

'Old' Harry - what a character he was. So sorry to hear of his passing.

A good few years back a friend invited me along to Horsham Folk Club for one of their singers nights. Not knowing what went on at folk clubs I assumed that I was going to find people in Aran sweaters singing in Val Doonican style to guitars (not something I would have enjoyed). So, with a 'nothing ventured....' attitude I went along.
I opened the door to find Harry singing All Around My Hat in his enthusiastic and characteristic way and so many people joining in with the chorus. My introduction to trad folk - thank you Harry.

Carole

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Mousdell of Horsham
From: John Byng
Date: 11 Sep 12 - 09:16 AM

I shall certainly miss Old Harry for the entertainment and good fellowship he always brought to the Horsham Folk Club. But I am grateful too for the legacy he has left; a legacy of song and dance and an example of how to live life. He played a large part in setting up the Horsham Folk Club, The Broadwood Morris Men and The Magog Ladies Morris Side. But most of all he showed us how folk music and dance (whether performed well or badly) can provide joy and community. He will live on as long as we pass on that example.

One of his favourite songs was "Only remembered for what we have done" and he will certainly be remembered for what he has done.

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Mousdell of Horsham
From: Marje
Date: 11 Sep 12 - 10:41 AM

When I lived in Sussex, Harry was one of the first people I met on the folk scene. I remember him for his openness, warmth and enthusiasm, and the endless gusto that he brought to his singing. We used to hold Christmas parties for family and folky friends, and Harry could always be counted on to sing, or organise an impromptu dance. People would be amazed to learn that he could produce so much volume with only one lung.

It was Harry who introduced us to Folk Camps, where we had many great family holidays. Those who witnessed Harry camping in his little tent were heard to mutter, "You'd never believe Harry was once a health inspector!"

"What's the Life of a Man?" is the song I'll remember him by. Thank you, Harry, for the songs, the music and fun you brought to our lives.

Marje

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Mousdell of Horsham
From: Vic Smith
Date: 11 Sep 12 - 05:43 PM

Funeral at:-
St Mary Magdalene's Church
High Street
Rusper
West Sussex

Friday 21st September at 2.30pm

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Mousdell of Horsham
From: GUEST,Tim Kent
Date: 11 Sep 12 - 09:14 PM

An extraordinary man of great character and charm. Dear "Old Harry" you will be missed and your legacy will live on here in Sussex Folklore. I spent many happy hours in your company and have recordings of your songs to bring a smile to my face. May the memory of your cheerfulness and good humour be an encouragement to all. God Bless you!

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Mousdell of Horsham
From: GUEST,john wickens
Date: 13 Sep 12 - 05:34 AM

Old Harry actually passed away on 8th September 2012.A remarkable character who leaves an enormous legacy of folk activities across Sussex and who was responsible for my taking up the concertina in 1972/73.There must be enough material in his archives for many books-also including his adventures abroad and at home,walking and cycling.Thanks for the music,dance and song Harry.

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Mousdell of Horsham
From: The Sandman
Date: 13 Sep 12 - 08:14 AM

I remember him well, great character, RIP