Obit: Martin Harris Hartley Morrisman

Subject: Obit: Obit Martin Harris Hartley Morrisman
From: billybob
Date: 23 Oct 12 - 10:42 AM

Sad news on Facebook today that Martin lost his battle with cancer this morning.A well known singer and dancer on the Kent folk scene for over forty years, Martin presented a folk show on BBC Kent before going to the USA where he performed in California. Returning to live in Kent a few years ago Martin still went back to the USA every year to appear as Scrooge in Dickens Christmas Carol.
He will be missed by his many friends on both sides of the Atlantic.

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Harris Hartley Morrisman
From: GUEST,DizzyLisa
Date: 23 Oct 12 - 10:56 AM

Here is a video of him performing "When All Men Sing" at the Hartley Ring Meeting
http://youtu.be/pG4Dq-4ceaE

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Harris Hartley Morrisman
From: Girl Friday
Date: 23 Oct 12 - 11:57 AM

Very sad. I enjoyed listening to his songs. He had a unique voice.

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Harris Hartley Morrisman
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 23 Oct 12 - 12:37 PM

A man who had many changes in his life. When he was the Radio Medway folk jock, he gave me two tickets to Cambridge Folk Festival. I went with Pete Lewis who rapidly took up his habits with complaisant young women, so he occupied the tent and I had to sleep in my car. The sun came in the windows early and woke me so I prowled around the campsite until I smelt bacon, which turned out to be Jacqui (who I had fleetingly met once before) whose kids had woken her up early. I played her Hagstrom, and broke the G string. I had run out of money but managed to scrounge a complete set of new strings in the Melody Maker tent. That meeting led directly (but later) to Jacqui being my other half for 25 years. Do I say "Thanks Martin", or not?

Does anyone want to tell the story of the gangster's moll, or the policewoman, or his 750 flathead Harley, or shall I drip-feed them in (or stay schtumm)?

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Harris Hartley Morrisman
From: GUEST,Djiril
Date: 23 Oct 12 - 02:14 PM

I was sorry to hear about his passing. He always seemed like such a nice person when I saw him at the Dickens Faire, and it was always a treat when he showed up to the Chantey sing in costume afterwards.

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Harris Hartley Morrisman
From: GUEST,Henry Piper
Date: 23 Oct 12 - 02:30 PM

Very sad news, I knew Martin from way back when I was with hartley Morrismen.A very entertaining guy, he will be missed by many.

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Harris Hartley Morrisman
From: GUEST,chquita
Date: 23 Oct 12 - 02:49 PM

I'm so sorry to hear this. Where is the Facebook info? All I see there is a profile w/timeline stuff under his name, is it somewhere else?

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Harris Hartley Morrisman
From: billybob
Date: 23 Oct 12 - 03:54 PM

On FB on the Hartley Morris page, ask to be a friend

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Harris Hartley Morrisman
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 23 Oct 12 - 04:13 PM

This is sad news. He was an interesting man and gave me my first gig on local radio! We lost contact over the years and this news comes as a sad reminder that cancer is still the biggest killer in this country. Thanks Martin. It was good knowing you. I will add him to the 'In Memoriam' thread tonight.

RIP

Peter

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Harris Hartley Morrisman
From: ClaireBear
Date: 23 Oct 12 - 08:15 PM

I am another of Martin's California friends, and I will miss him a lot. I've known him for decades. I last saw him last December at a chantey sing, to which he came dressed as Scrooge and distributed free Dickens Fair tickets to several grateful souls before gracefully acceding to someone's request to perform "the Fish Finger Song." A good man, and a good friend. Farewell.

Claire

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Harris Hartley Morrisman
From: Essex Girl
Date: 24 Oct 12 - 06:39 AM

Sad news indeed, I remember his wedding in the village hall in Wrotham, and his singing at Dave Bryants wake, among many other occasions. He will be missed by many people.

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Harris Hartley Morrisman
From: billybob
Date: 04 Nov 12 - 06:41 AM

Martin's funeral is on November 14th at 2.30pm at a church in Gravesend, then Medway Crematorium at 3.40pm

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Harris Hartley Morrisman
From: The Sandman
Date: 04 Nov 12 - 09:37 AM

sad news

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Harris Hartley Morrisman
From: GUEST,Hartley Squire
Date: 05 Nov 12 - 07:09 AM

There is a meeting tomorrow evening (Tuesday) to finalise Martin's funeral arrangements following which full details will be posted.
A contact email address will be included as Hartley have been asked to collate numbers of expected attendees. Morris kit can be worn.
Terry

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Harris Hartley Morrisman
From: GUEST,Hartley Squire
Date: 07 Nov 12 - 01:17 PM

Update - I am still waiting for confirmation of times/details as the Church service has been lengthened and there is a problem with the undertakers timings.
Full details will follow but please be aware that the Crematorium service is private and restricted to the executors and a family representative only.
There should be an afternoon wake in Gravesend after the Church Service.
Watch this space.
Terry

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Harris Hartley Morrisman
From: GUEST,Hartley Squire
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 09:15 AM

Funeral Arrangements for Martin Harris Wednesday November 14 2012.
2.0pm Gravesend Methodist Church, Milton Road, Gravesend DA12 2RE
Followed by private committal at Medway Crematorium.
3.15 Tea and biscuits in the church hall with an arranged programme of dancing and songs.
4.15 onwards   Finger buffet at the Three Daws, Royal Pier Road, Gravesend DA11 0BJ,
with singing in the bar. Dancing outside if dry.
Martin's wake will be on the same floor as the main bar, just above street level, and we have exclusive use of the Bridge Room and the Pink Room. There will be another wake in the large basement room.
Kit, bells, beasts and musical instruments welcome.
Suggested parking is at the local car parks off Bank Street, or Thamesgate Shopping centre
Flowers may be delivered to the front of the church between 11.00am and 1.00 pm
Please email us at - [e-mail] - to let us whether you are going to the Church, Crematorium and/or pub, to assist with catering, and put something recognisable as the subject, so we can tell it is not spam.
Terry Heaslip
Squire, Hartley MM