Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: David Carter (UK)
Date: 10 Dec 18 - 02:45 AM

Keith was a retired teacher of maths and physics who lived in Hertford. Before his illness, maybe even after the first diagnosis, he sang shanties in pubs and folk clubs around Hertfordshire. The Belfast Keith is someone completely different, I can't rule out that there is a distant relationship. St Andrews is a large church, but I do know it as my cousin's funeral was there earlier in the year. They respect people's privacy and there is very little private information about anybody on their website. I never met Keith, but there are people posting on this forum who had met him in folk clubs. I can't find an obituary in the Hertfordshire Mercury which would be the most likely place.

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 09 Dec 18 - 02:07 PM

For folks like me who only knew the version of Keith on mudcat
and were mostly opposed to his BS ramblings,
he was still a daily part of my life for a number of years.
Engaging with him occupied a lot of my time and thought.
Like him or not, he was one of 'us', our community;
and a man I tried to figure out, and occasionally defend against sheer hatred from other mudcatters on my 'side'.
He showed what I believe was genuine sympathy regarding my mum's dementia.

To me he was like the contrary old bloke in the corner of the pub
who was difficult to get on with,
but you cared enough to be concerned about his well being
and made sure he got home safe after closing time...

Sadly, he didn't appear frequently enough above the BS line in neutral ground,
so we could at least discuss shared interests.
I've always been curious about his musical life outside of mudcat...

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: Iains
Date: 09 Dec 18 - 01:50 PM

Not often I agree with Steve Shaw, but for a man on the opposite side of the fence to Keith, I think his comments were fair, balanced and well reasoned.
Coming from a man totally at opposites with Keith, I think he has tried to create a fitting eulogy, and succeeded in my view.

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 09 Dec 18 - 01:13 PM

Keith's daughter is married to a Northern Ireland man and lives there (Antrim, I think)
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: GUEST,keberoxu
Date: 09 Dec 18 - 01:11 PM

there are two of him?

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Dec 18 - 01:00 PM

I really have to wonder if you have the same Keith Acheson in Belfast there K. This man's Twitter account is fully active, with activities and re-tweets listed up to this week.

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: keberoxu
Date: 09 Dec 18 - 12:15 PM

Did not Keith Acheson have connections to Belfast?
Would a Belfast website have something in his hono[u]r?

Lacking obits,
how about links to some pieces online.

Sing for Life

Keith Acheson Q & A


It is hugely inspiring to work with the choir

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 09 Dec 18 - 11:00 AM

Is there an obit about real world Keith on line anywhere...???

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: Carol
Date: 09 Dec 18 - 09:19 AM

So sorry to hear that Keith has died. Had some great singing weekends at Buntingford and always enjoyed Keith's songs and his company. Condolences to his family from Carol Southwell now Lamb.

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 08 Dec 18 - 08:07 PM

I'd known that Keith was poorly for a long time, though he was never explicit on the forum about it until his last days. There's been a really unfortunate spat about him on another thread that's made me sad, actually. Maybe because his death almost coincided with my dad's. I think it's fine to speak honestly and straightforwardly about differences we had with a member who has passed away, but there's a way of doing it that has evaded one or two people here. I disagreed with Keith on almost all of his takes on things going on in the world and regarded him as wrong-headed most of the time, and disliked his goading strategy, his modus operandi. But, as has been rightly said, he stuck with it and was, I think, genuinely enquiring as to what we thought about things, even if that was only so that he could find specific and often devious ways of knocking us down. Believe it or not, I did communicate with him privately on a few occasions, not many, and our exchanges were friendly and civil, and I was able to wish him well during his illness. I never met him nor heard his singing, though for a time my son lived in Hertford and we got to know the place quite well, though only in short visits (my in-laws are still there, natives of the town as they are). He was quite well known - and loved - for his singing in his local area, something I did bother to find out about in my feeble attempts to discover what made him tick, and I suppose that the people who knew the 3-D Keith saw a different man from the one some of us railed at here.

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: robomatic
Date: 08 Dec 18 - 07:33 PM

I was aware that Keith was in what might be perhaps a final battle but I had not caught the earlier part of this thread so I was unaware how long this had been going on and that he had recently left us. Although we never met I appreciated his posts in various threads, many involving contention although for the most part I seconded what Keith had to write. I will miss him and remember his presence in previous posts.

My condolences to his near and dear ones and I pray they have durable positive memories to carry them through this period and on into the future.

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: GUEST,Pete from seven stars link
Date: 29 Nov 18 - 02:08 PM

Sad to see this . It was expected of course , but we always hope it won't be yet. Keith was passionate in his posts in BS , and I often agreed with him , but not always, and as already noted will be missed. Blessings and the peace of God to his loved ones

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: GUEST,Some bloke called Ian Mather
Date: 29 Nov 18 - 03:52 AM

Keith A of Hertford and Musket crossed swords many times on many matters and many of the Musket posts were by me.

However, the real Ian Mather and Keith Acheson shared many musical interests and we shared many on pm posts. Also, towards the beginning of this thread you will see us agreeing that we enjoyed the arguments too. One of the other Muskets met him at a Folk Club in Hertford and was impressed by his enthusiasm and delivery of songs. You can’t ask for more than that.

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 29 Nov 18 - 03:27 AM

The funeral is at 12 noon GMT today. Can we have a couple of minutes not posting as a silence?

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: Lighter
Date: 26 Nov 18 - 08:49 AM

Am so sorry to read this news. His voice on Mudcat will be missed.

My condolences to his family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Nov 18 - 03:23 AM

I am saddened to read the news that Keith has died. I only learned recently of his illness when I looked in on the cat after many years of absence, maybe I was meant to look in.

We had many a debate on the cat regarding Irish related issues and as many are aware, we held very different views.

I am a committed Irish Republican and ex Republican prisoner who served 16 years in both the cages of Long Kesh (3 years during internment) and 13 years of a life sentence) in the H Blocks.

No one could keep his cool like Keith could and ignore and sidestep the facts and statistics I posted, God he knew how to get to me.

Publicly we were like cat and dog, but through private messaging we were very different and the complete opposite and rarely even discussed politics.

Keith, I will miss you even though it has been some time since we were in touch. To his family, he is a man I respected and remember, no one gets to take away your memories.

Mo chomhbhróin

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: The Sandman
Date: 25 Nov 18 - 06:46 PM

i met him a couple of times ,I liked him, condolences to his family

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 25 Nov 18 - 06:34 PM

Adding my condolences to Keith's family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: meself
Date: 25 Nov 18 - 02:49 PM

You have to admit, he livened this place up at times, and kept us on our toes. RIP.

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 25 Nov 18 - 11:50 AM

Sorry to hear that Keith's battle has finally come to a close. He was a man who tended to divide opinion around him but whatever the reasons he was a folkie first and foremost. I have added his name to the "In Memoriam" thread. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

RIP

Peter

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 25 Nov 18 - 10:18 AM

Keith seems to have been a chap with two distinct personas depending on if you only knew him in church & folk club, or in BS...
That's my guess...


... and occasional mudcatters/ GUESTS/ any folks who knew him in real life,
but who seldom or never ventured downstairs into the netherworld below the line,
may not even have been aware of his 'problematic' BS posting history...

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: GUEST,mayomick
Date: 25 Nov 18 - 10:13 AM

Condolences to all Keith's family and friends

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: GUEST,Enfield/Swindon Pete
Date: 25 Nov 18 - 03:18 AM

RiP Keith. Condolences to your family. You’ve left the crease but you won’t be forgotten mate.

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 04:37 PM

Our respective Mudcat 'persona' differed strongly but, like others who crossed swords with Keith on here, I suspect that in the real world we would have probably got along fine, and our mutual love of music and life in general would have overcome our political differences.

"Throw down the sword, the fight is done and over,
Neither lost, neither won..."

RIP Keith, and condolences to his family and friends.

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: Joe Offer
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 03:59 PM

Rest in peace, Keith.

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 03:01 PM

It isn't a problem now. He was Keith Acheson, and many of us knew it because the old Mudcat troll went after Keith quite viciously with fake accounts. It was one of many I tracked down and reported to Facebook back in the rough years around 2011-2013.

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 03:00 PM

pfr has it exactly right. I disliked Keith's Mudcat persona intensely, and thought his politics stank, but I did occasionally banter with him offline and thought I detected a real 3-D human being in there somewhere. That's the thing, though, innit: we see here the online man 99% and the real-life man 1%. My son lived in Hertford for a time (and the in-laws are still there), and I know the canal and the nice pub with outside tables ideal for a summer night, and, had our stars collided a bit better, Keith and I might have fought our corners over a pint or six, which maybe would have been a far better way of going about things than he and I ever managed here.

All good wishes and kind thoughts from me to his family and friends.

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 02:59 PM

Life is a journey, and now Keith is off on another journey, to who knows where. Good speed Keith.

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: keberoxu
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 02:34 PM

Here's a hint:
If he is who I believe he is ...

"Sing For Life."

(I was GOBSMACKED by what I read about this)

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 02:21 PM

Our swords were crossed more often than not on politics but we had a lot in common and agreed about more important things like life, love and folk music!

Condolences to his family and friends and may he rest in the peace he so deserves.

Dave.

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: keberoxu
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 02:20 PM

Well, here's a thing.

Because I get in trouble when I do so,
I will not give Keith A's name here.
All I had to do to find him, though,
was Google his church in Hertford,
from the info given in the post about his funeral.

And if he is who I make him out to be, then
he has -- had -- his own Twitter account, under his own name.

First time I ever laid eyes on a photograph of him.
And good heavens,
he appears to be nothing like old enough to be old,
if you see what I mean.

So I won't "out" Keith: but now, you know what to do ...

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 01:48 PM

I'm curious to see an obit for the reality world Keith rather than his 'problematic' mudcat ID persona...

Just to understand a little about who he was, how old he was, what he acheived in life, his musical life...


That real 3D Keith might quite probably have been a bloke I could get on with if we'd ever met socially and performed together...

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: GUEST,keberoxu
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 01:42 PM

Is there a Mudcat Cafe in heaven?
He's up there, if that is true.

And that Cafe is getting more populous all the time.

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: GUEST,Yo Recuerdo
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 12:37 PM

De mortuis nil nisi bonum dicendum est ??

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: GUEST,paperback
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 12:26 PM

At Peace at last, fine fellow, stand down from general quarters, return and stow all gear...




what size boots did he wear?

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: GUEST,A Passing guest paying respect
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 12:15 PM

Condolences to Keith's loved ones.So sorry.
       Even though Keith and myself were Worlds apart politically, I still sensed a kindred spirit and I'll miss his perspectives when I pass by. One less Gentleman on the board and Planet.

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 11:44 AM

Very sorry to read this, though it was expected. May he rest in peace. Thanks for letting us know, Lynne.

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: My guru always said
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 11:42 AM

Very sorry to hear this news, Keith was one of the first Folkies I met and was very helpful to this Newbie. My condolences to friends & family. Candle lit!

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: fat B****rd
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 10:29 AM

My condolences and best regards to Keith's family and friends.

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: bobad
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 10:01 AM

My sincere condolences to Keith's friends and family. I knew him only here on Mudcat and always admired his resoluteness and generosity of spirit. His voice will be missed.

Rest in peace my friend.

Subject: RE: Obit: Keith A of Hertford Nov. 2018
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 09:40 AM

Does someone have more particulars or a link to an obituary? Thanks.

Subject: RE: Keith A of Hertford chemo/ Oct 17, 2018 update
From: The Sandman
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 06:57 AM

sad news

Subject: RE: Keith A of Hertford chemo/ Oct 17, 2018 update
From: GUEST,Kenny B
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 06:40 AM

A sad time, my condolences to his family and friends

Subject: RE: Keith A of Hertford chemo/ Oct 17, 2018 update
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 05:43 AM

Sad news, indeed.

Regards

Subject: RE: Keith A of Hertford chemo/ Oct 17, 2018 update
From: GUEST,Teribus
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 05:06 AM

Very sorry to hear the news, my sincere condolences to Keith's family and his friends, I am sure he will be greatly missed, his courage and fortitude were inspirational.

Goodbye old friend Rest In Peace.

Subject: RE: Keith A of Hertford chemo/ Oct 17, 2018 update
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 05:05 AM

Sorry to hear this.

One less of us. People who believe in mudcat.

Subject: RE: Keith A of Hertford chemo/ Oct 17, 2018 update
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 04:46 AM

Thank you, Lynne.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Keith A of Hertford chemo/ Oct 17, 2018 update
From: Senoufou
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 04:29 AM

Very sad news. My sincere condolences to Keith's family. God bless.
Eliza

Subject: RE: Keith A of Hertford chemo/ Oct 17, 2018 update
From: Iains
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 04:09 AM

I am very sorry to hear this news. Keith will be missed.

Subject: RE: Keith A of Hertford chemo/ Oct 17, 2018 update
From: GUEST,Leraud
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 03:53 AM

Keith's funeral will take place on Thursday 29th November at 12 noon at St Andrews Church, Hertford, SG14 1HZ