2018 Obit: Ted Poole (Swindon Folk Club)

Subject: Obit: Ted Poole
From: Vic Smith
Date: 07 Mar 18 - 05:19 AM

This sad email from Bob & Gill Berry.

Just a short message to pass on the news that Ted Poole hass passed away this morning after another fall. RIP Ted. One in a Million
Bob & Gill

Many people will remember that total commitment of this man to folk clubs and folk music in general dating back to the 1950s. Ted & Ivy ran Swindon Folk Club for decades and established it as one of the most admired clubs in the country. This lovely couple were universally popular everywhere they went. I am sure that there will be lots of tributes here.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ted Poole
From: Vic Smith
Date: 07 Mar 18 - 05:35 AM

Some lovely photos on the Swindon Folk Club Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/SwindonFolksingersClub/?hc_ref=ARQ_L9n3jWU9LzjDqiYHZtRYVjwtcKZcdNS4MqJ8LZPwdpcg1Wei9iTtv6vNRtHApzU

Subject: RE: Obit: Ted Poole
From: GUEST,Guest (bob Blair
Date: 07 Mar 18 - 06:51 AM

Dear oh Dear! Another good comrade gone. RIP Ted.

Ted and Ivy were proud of their communist beliefs and it was a real pleasure when my tours took me to Swindon. No nonsence about not singing political songs there.

Another pleasure about visiting the Swindon club was the chance to meet and talk to Angela Tuckett. How she found time in her 25 hour day to visit a folk club I'll never know. Google her if you are unaware of her work.

Bob Blair

Subject: RE: Obit: Ted Poole
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 07 Mar 18 - 06:53 AM

Heard this sad news last night. Sincere condolences from all at Traditions at the Tiger, Long Eaton where we were pleased to welcome Ted and Ivy along with the rest of Swindon Folksinger's Club on our numerous reciprocal visits.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ted Poole
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 07 Mar 18 - 06:55 AM

A great man. I enjoyed his company on many occasions, especially at Bampton on the Spring Bank Holiday weekend. And earlier at the National Folk Festival - he was on the organising committee of the first festival at Keele in 1965, from which stemmed the National. A deeply committed socialist as well. RIP Ted.
Derek

Subject: RE: Obit: Ted Poole
From: Brian Peters
Date: 07 Mar 18 - 07:01 AM

Ted ran a fine club, where I had many great nights. When I say it was an old-fashioned folk club, I mean it in the best sense; it was never twee or precious, cherished traditional songs alongside more modern ones, and welcomed a good cross-section of the local community through its doors.

I also had many enjoyable stays with Ted and Ivy, where politics was often the topic of discussion. Ted would always be up long before me, out on his Morning Star delivery run. He was a great supporter of folk music, and a man of deep principle. I'm proud to have been able to call him a friend.

Nice to see Bob give Angela Tuckett-Gradwell a mention, too. Another great character - I learned one of her songs, which Ted would always ask me to sing when I visited the club.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ted Poole
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 07 Mar 18 - 07:03 AM

Oh I am so sorry to hear this - what a delightful gent he was. It was always a treat to see Ted & Ivy and play in their wonderful club.

R.I.P. Ted, you were one of the best.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Ted Poole
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 07 Mar 18 - 02:37 PM

Another great contributor to the world of folk has left us. He will be missed but we have a lot to be thankful for. He's earned his place in the Mudcat Role of Honour.

RIP


Peter

Subject: RE: Obit: Ted Poole 2018
From: GUEST,jim & francie Bainbridge
Date: 07 Mar 18 - 03:07 PM

Ted and Ivy have been an inspiration to both of us for nearly 50 years- we just love the pair of them since the days when the Swindon club met in the Prince of Wales, skittle alley in the Old Town.
Our thoughts are now with Ivy, our regular meetings were always full of fun, music and politics and this is a major loss- this was a very special man
R.I.P. Ted

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Ted Poole (Swindon Folk Club)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 08 Mar 18 - 07:05 PM

Very sorry to see this sad news. I remember Ted and Ivy from the early 1980s when I lived in Chipping Sodbury and they (and Angela) would occasionally come over to the Saturday folk club, and then from the National and Dartmoor festivals.

Deepest sympathies to Ivy.

Kitty

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Ted Poole (Swindon Folk Club)
From: GUEST,Mike Yates
Date: 09 Mar 18 - 11:10 AM

When I started researching into the life and times of the Swindon-born writer, political activist and veteran of the Spanish Civil War, Ralph Bates, Ted Poole was the first person that I turned to. Ted had worked with Ralph's brother in Swindon and very generously gave me a whole load of stories. The last time that I saw Ted was at an event I had organised at Swindon's Central Library. It was an evening of songs and stories about, and by, Ralph Bates. I drove Ted home afterwards and was delighted to hear him singing the Republican song "Viva La Quince Brigada" in the car. I will certainly miss him.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Ted Poole (Swindon Folk Club)
From: Mick Tems
Date: 11 Mar 18 - 10:31 AM

Rest in peace, Ted; we will miss you.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Ted Poole (Swindon Folk Club)
From: DebC
Date: 12 Mar 18 - 10:40 AM

Coming to this news a bit late. I'll be singing at Swindon next month and I'll be sure to give Ted a shout out with a good old lefty song. So sad to hear this. First Bob Blake and now Ted. My thoughts are with Ivy and the rest of the Swindon Folk Club comrades.

Debra Cowan

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Ted Poole (Swindon Folk Club)
From: GUEST,Mike O'Leary-Johns
Date: 12 Mar 18 - 04:40 PM

I rarely look at Mudcat these days.
Not the news I would have wanted to find...
It has been a great privilege to have had Ted and Ivy as friends for so many years .
No one has contributed more to Traditional Music over the years.

No one will ever match His contribution.
I can not say anything else at the moment
I have no words..............   Mike

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Ted Poole (Swindon Folk Club)
From: RTim
Date: 12 Mar 18 - 04:45 PM

This was posted to me today by a friend:

Ted’s Funeral - 18th April 1,30
Kingsdown Crematorium - Swindon
Please advise if you and how many will be in your party.

I assume you contact Swindon Folk Club if you want to go...??

I don't arrive in the UK until the day after..

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Ted Poole (Swindon Folk Club)
From: DebC
Date: 13 Mar 18 - 12:53 PM

And I leave the day before.

Deb Cowan

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Ted Poole (Swindon Folk Club)
From: GUEST,George Frampton
Date: 14 Mar 18 - 01:08 PM

Ted and Ivy would always drop in at the Sidmouth Volunteer from the Wednesday onwards on their way to Dartmoor. In 2005, they arrived with Sean Burke bringing me 'reinforcements' - very welcome since 2005 was very much tongue-in-cheek. I recall well their 'Sheikh of Araby' and also recorded half a dozen or so more of their songs. My condolences to Ivy with a promise she will be very welcome at The Volly should she ever chance our way again.

So long, Ted, we'll be toasting you in absentia.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Ted Poole (Swindon Folk Club)
From: The Sandman
Date: 15 Mar 18 - 02:12 PM

Ted was special. One of my heroes, Iwill miss you and thanks for all the encouragement over the years. RIP Ted.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Ted Poole (Swindon Folk Club)
From: GUEST,jim & francie bainbridge
Date: 17 Mar 18 - 01:35 PM

A great man, with solid principles which guided him & Ivy when running the excellent Swindon club since 1960.

One notable aspect of the club was the amazing cross section of ages found there, especially in earlier years- very unusual now & hardly existing anywhere today.

They stayed with us in Dunbeacon west Cork in the nineties & gave the locals many a song and story- we do recall when old pal Christy Moore paid us a visit about that time.

Christy was a regular guest at the Marsden Inn in the 60s, and when we told him Ted & Ivy were staying with us, he was totally delighted & said in his inimitable way 'Jaysus, great, youse feckkers at Marsden & Swindon were the only ones who'd give me a booking in those days'

Sad I won't get to the funeral from Ireland, but will be there in spirit & with Ivy all the way- thanks to trhe pair of you, an inspiration to us for years

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Ted Poole (Swindon Folk Club)
From: The Sandman
Date: 18 Mar 18 - 06:23 AM

Ted and Ivy what great people , I shall really miss him. I am hoping to get to his funeral

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Ted Poole (Swindon Folk Club)
From: GUEST,julian weaver
Date: 20 Mar 18 - 12:39 PM

Sadly we won't be able to get to the funeral from over here in Brittany but our thoughts and love are with Ivy, their family, Swindon Folksingers past and present and all who knew and loved Ted.

He was a great man, an inspiration to many (including myself).

So many good memories of Ted.

RIP

Julian & Enid xx

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Ted Poole (Swindon Folk Club)
From: GUEST,Rod Thompson
Date: 23 Mar 18 - 03:50 AM

How sad to hear the sad news of Ted's passing. He was a wonderful man,and he and Ivy were great friend and comrade of my late father.
Deapest sympathy to Ivy and RIP
Ted

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Ted Poole (Swindon Folk Club)
From: GUEST,Bryony Mitchell
Date: 19 Apr 18 - 06:57 AM

Swindon Folksingers Club post after the funeral

Thanks to everyone who paid tribute to Ted yesterday at his funeral and wake, and for all the warm wishes from those who couldn’t attend.

Aptly, both the service and the wake were full of singing.

I suspect there were few dry eyes in the house, as Ted arrived in his coffin to one of Ivy’s favourite songs, ‘If I were a Blackbird’, a recording sung by Geraldine Sexton.

Dick Miles sang, ‘Keep that wheel a’turning/William Brown’, with everyone joining in the chorus.

And, of course, there was a rousing rendition of the left-wing anthem,‘The Internationale.’

Eric Stott and Mark Johnson gave beautiful tributes from the folk club and from the Communist party.

Paul Robeson’s ‘Joe Hill’ was the exit music, and many could hear Ted singing it as we listened.

It was testament to Ted’s universal popularity to see so many friends from all over the UK. It’s the first time I have ever seen the crematorium car park full to bursting, with many cars having to park on the green verges too.

The wake, held so appropriately in the ‘Legends Lounge’, was full to bursting, with many old friends reminiscing, singing and celebrating Ted’s amazing life, his gift of friendship, and his beliefs and ethos.

Ted really was, and remains, a true legend.

If anyone didn’t manage to write in the Book of Remembrance but would like to include some words, please comment below or send them as a private message via Swindon Folksingers Club facebook page (link above), and I will print them out and include them in the book for Ivy.

Also, a number of people asked whether they could have a copy of the photo slideshow. Let me have your email address by private message to the club, and I’ll forward it to you.

Ivy, you too are a legend, and we’re all holding you in our thoughts in the coming days and months ahead.

Please do keep in touch with Ivy as she will need all her friends and family around her.


Ted singing William Brown

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Ted Poole (Swindon Folk Club)
From: GUEST,jim & francie bainbridge
Date: 19 Apr 18 - 03:17 PM

I was especially sad not to be able to get to Ted's funeral from Ireland, especially as we've considered Yed & Ivy an inspiration to us both for 50 years or more.
We were always treated as old friends on our annual visits to the club and thank Bryony for the summary of what must have been a wonderful tribute to a very special man.
Our thoughts are with you, Ivy, and we look forward to renewing our friendship some time in the future....

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Ted Poole (Swindon Folk Club)
From: GUEST,Bryony
Date: 21 Feb 21 - 12:41 PM

There's a link here to a recent video of Ivy, receiving a book of the history of Swindon Folk Club: Ivy receiving the History of SFC book

And here's a link to the online version of the book if anyone would like to take a look:
History of Swindon Folk Club

I've just come off the phone from Ivy - we had a lovely natter about the club and a good old reminisce. If anyone would like to give her a call, I'm sure she would love to hear from you!

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Ted Poole (Swindon Folk Club)
From: The Sandman
Date: 24 Feb 21 - 02:45 AM

TED was an inspiration