2018 Obit: Paul Marsh

Subject: Obit: Paul Marsh
From: Vic Smith
Date: 23 Apr 18 - 08:01 AM

A phone call from Janet Keet-Black tells me that Paul Marsh died suddenly this morning. He had a pain in his leg, went to hospital but died there.
Paul was involved in the promotion of traditional music and song in the south of England in quite a variety of ways. You can read something of his background as part of his 'Forest Tracks' website by clicking here.

Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Marsh
From: RTim
Date: 23 Apr 18 - 09:52 AM

WHAT............!!!!

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Paul Marsh
From: GUEST,Andy Jackson
Date: 23 Apr 18 - 10:58 AM

Terribly sad news, a friend to so many and a tireless enthusiast for all things folk related. Not being a pushy sort, many will have no idea of the amount of good he did for us all. I was planning to visit Paul next week to chat about the future of Forest Tracks. How ominous!!

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Paul Marsh
From: RTim
Date: 23 Apr 18 - 11:06 AM

I am beyond upset by this, Paul was a huge friend and supporter, and I was hoping I was going to get and see him next weekend - as I am in the UK visiting my family.

His work with Forest Tracks and Hampshire Voices has been a mainstay of my life for several years now - and we were hoping to be talking about producing a new CD of New Forest songs.....now???

Think of Paddi and the rest of Paul's family today - I'll miss you...

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Paul Marsh
From: Eye Lander
Date: 23 Apr 18 - 11:06 AM

Such a shock, sympathy goes to Paddy
Jillie

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Paul Marsh
From: GUEST,Mike Yates
Date: 23 Apr 18 - 11:13 AM

What sad, sad news. He was always friendly and helpful whenever I spoke to him about some song or other. I really am sorry to have heard this.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Paul Marsh
From: GUEST,John Paddy Browne
Date: 23 Apr 18 - 11:39 AM

Paul's last email to me was on 20 April 2018 to report the death of Derek Sarjeant, formerly of the Surbiton Folk Club. Paul and I were well into our potted history of the Fo'c'sle Folk Club, and he had spent two long and exhausting days in Southampton's Records Office searching newspaper files and papers relating to the old venues once occupied by the Fo'c'sle.

We were scheduled, along with Brian hooper, to visit Trevor Gilson, a former organiser of the Club, on Thursday of this week, to examine surviving Fo'c'sle documents. That will not happen now, and the future of our project is now uncertain.

Paul was a huge and ferociously active figure on the southern folk scene and as well as Forest Tracks, the local but by no means provincial record label, he made contributions to other important labels, including Topic, for whom his technical gifts at digitising vintage recordings was an acknowledged asset.

His researches led him down many highways and byways, and he made important contributions to our knowledge of Gypsy lore and folk songs. He produced two highly entertaining and informative village history concerts, one at the village of Twford, just up the road from his own Brambridge, the other at Emery Down, in both of which he laid on complementary displays of old photographs and memorabilia, and filled both halls to capacity.

His passing is shockingly unexpected. His letters, emails, phone calls and personal visits were full of animated demonstrations of his discoveries from his folk music researches. The empty, silent space he leaves behind will be difficult to fill, as he will be greatly mourned.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Paul Marsh
From: Tradsinger
Date: 23 Apr 18 - 12:51 PM

This is terrible news. Paul and I collaborated for many years over Hampshire folk songs and tunes and played together on occasions. I always regarded him as a very under-rated folklorist as he was someone who steeped himself in the tradition and learnt most of his songs and tunes straight from performing with the 'old boys'.

He accumulated a large archive of audio and video recordings. I hope that he made arrangements for this body of work to be preserved.

A great loss, I will miss our friendly chats and his soft Hampshire burr.

Condolences to Paddi. I will send her a card.

Tradsinger

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Paul Marsh
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 23 Apr 18 - 06:03 PM

Very sad news indeed. I first met him, and Steve Roud, on the same day in Sheffield in the late 1970s. He was quiet, modest, but a great enthusiast for the music and the people who made it. My condolences to his family.
Derek Schofield

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Paul Marsh
From: GUEST,Bursledon Village Band
Date: 23 Apr 18 - 08:52 PM

Such a shocking call from Paddi with this news today.The last time I saw him he said he needed to sort out what would happen to his archive if he died.Hopefully all his efforts will have not been in vain.As a band we have so much to be grateful to Paul for many things.Such a sad day.He was only 67.Rest in Peace Paul.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Paul Marsh
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Apr 18 - 11:11 PM

Yes, terrible news. Paul and I were corresponding by email , the last one from him on April 17. We were discussing my years as a link the chain of being organiser of the Fo'c'sle Folk Club in the 1990's. This information was to be for the archive he was piecing together. We were not done. Sad.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Paul Marsh
From: GUEST,George Frampton
Date: 24 Apr 18 - 06:27 AM

Oh my word! I really am devastated to hear this.

Apart from the numerous accolades for his promotion of Forest Tracks records, as an individual and treasured colleague on the Traditional Song Forum, he was incredibly supportive to me and others, promoting Hampshire's role in The Tradition.

He was recently very helpful in my work on a singer from the Petersfield area which should reach fruition in a forthcoming edition of 'Living Tradition'. On a more personal note, he put out bespoke CDs on my old Farnborough school teacher Mike 'Guttapercha' Sadler, and trying to make sense of a recorded-from-the-back-of-the-room rubbish tape cassette of Roy 'Cobblers' Harrison - projects which Paul tackled with great empathy.

He also guested in with the Bursledon Village Band and played percussion at the Sidmouth Volunteer when the late Dave Williams led the pit band in the days when John Howson ran the concern.

Paul. May your spirit live on!

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Paul Marsh
From: GUEST,Bob Askew
Date: 24 Apr 18 - 07:46 AM

Such a massive shock. Paul was a great man who did huge work for traditions and especially Hampshire traditions. I cannot envisage what it will be like without him.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Paul Marsh
From: Martin Graebe
Date: 24 Apr 18 - 03:23 PM

I have added some memories of Paul from his friend, Steve Roud, to the news page on the Traditional Song Forum website (www.tradsong.org) - Click HERE

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Paul Marsh
From: Tradsinger
Date: 24 Apr 18 - 04:07 PM

I have posted a video of Paul singing at the 1999 English Country Music Weekend. It's here
https://www.facebook.com/gwilymd1/videos/10157354808918012/.

RIP Paul

Tradsinger

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Paul Marsh
From: GUEST,Sylvia Crocker
Date: 26 Apr 18 - 05:58 AM

Paul Marsh was passionate about English folk songs and in particular about those collected in Hampshire. He made a huge contribution to the Hampshire Songs website and promoted exhibitions and performances of the songs. His work has been greatly appreciated and his website will be used by very many people in the future. He will be sadly missed by many.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Paul Marsh
From: Tradsinger
Date: 26 Apr 18 - 06:08 AM

I'd be grateful if anyone can tell me when the funeral is.

Gwilym

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Paul Marsh
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 26 Apr 18 - 07:35 AM

I was sorry to hear this news. I have included his name in the "In Memoriam" thread. My condolences to all who know him.

RIP

Peter

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Paul Marsh
From: GUEST,Bursledon Village Band
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 02:34 PM

Paddi has asked that details of Paul's funeral be passed on to anyone who would like to know.It will be at Basingstoke Crematorium on June 14th at 4.15pm and then on to Dummer Golf Club.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Paul Marsh
From: RTim
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 03:16 AM

Sadly I will be back in the USA and running a concert that evening..........Don't like funerals, but I would be there if I could. It has still not sunk in that his is gone........

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Paul Marsh
From: GUEST,Simon Harmer
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 05:55 AM

Paul had an huge role in our efforts to research and revive step dancing on the south coast. All he knew he shared generously. Only last week he was making sure I had all the available information on Ted Duckett and passing an email on to Tim Radford. (Did you get it Tim?) Southern stepping is all about responding to the music. Paul ensured we had the right tunes and demonstrated how they were played. Our first performances were to Paul's wonderful playing and he supported us until he was happy we could manage without him and quietly withdrew. When we were asked to perform material collected by Alice Gillington in Thorney Hill church Paul came and filmed what was an amazing evening for all of us. Our 'Hither Side Of The Hedge' team will miss his encouraging support and knowledge. Our thoughts are with Paddi.
Simon Harmer

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Paul Marsh
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 12 May 18 - 08:13 AM

Steve Roud has asked me to post this message:

I have the task of helping Paddi sort out Paul's extensive collection of recordings. The plan at present is that they will eventually be placed in a public archive, accessible to all who are interested, and that some at least will be made available online. But this will take a long time to come to fruition.
In the meantime, we know that Paul was holding other people's materials, either for safekeeping, for digitisation, or because they were given to him outright. It would be helpful if anyone whose material falls into any of these categories could contact me to sort out whether they should stay or be returned.
Please contact me direct - steveroud "at" gmail.com
Thanks
Steve Roud

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Paul Marsh
From: GUEST,Peter Marsh-Paul's Brother
Date: 15 Jun 18 - 03:39 AM

Peter Marsh -Paul's Brother.

I am posting this in the calm morning light on the morning after Paul's funeral (held on 14th June 2018). On behalf of Paul's family, i would like to thank everyone that took the time and trouble to leave their personal feelings in response to Paul's sudden and tragic death. The heartfelt comments and the genuine sense of loss, re-inforce the pride we feel about Paul not only as a key figure in the traditional music world, but most importantly as a generous supportive human being. if you were one of the 100 plus, paying their respects at his funeral, our special thanks for all the tributes, anecdotes and memories shared with us. Paul's passing is tragic and premature, but eased somewhat in the knowledge that his influence and bodies of work will live on. Thank You Peter

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Paul Marsh
From: RTim
Date: 15 Jun 18 - 08:59 AM

Paul was on my mind most of yesterday. I cannot express easily how losing him has affected me. I know it is not as extreme as it is for Paddi and his family, and I would have loved to be there at the end, but 3,500 miles distance is too great.

I certainly will never forget him.

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Paul Marsh
From: DMcG
Date: 16 Jun 18 - 04:01 AM

(John Paddy Browne): We were scheduled, along with Brian hooper, to visit Trevor Gilson, a former organiser of the Club, on Thursday of this week, to examine surviving Fo'c'sle documents. That will not happen now, and the future of our project is now uncertain
...

{Steve Roud): The plan at present is that they will eventually be placed in a public archive, accessible to all who are interested, and that some at least will be made available online. But this will take a long time to come to fruition.


I used to run the Fo'c'sle website and still host it, though day-to-day editing is now done elsewhere. Brian Hooper spoke to me about two weeks ago to ask if I was willing to host the online material and do some work to make it as accessible as possible. It will be a long project, but I am certainly intending to do that.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Paul Marsh
From: GUEST,Guest, Paddi Marsh
Date: 16 Jun 18 - 07:57 AM

My thanks to everyone who have given me support over the past weeks with letters, cards, phonecalls etc. Reading the tributes to Paul both here and on other sites the word generous is mentioned so often. How true. The funeral was a wonderful healing day for me. The outpouring of love and respect for Paul was overwhelming. Thank you to all who attended and to those who were unable - I knew that Paul was in their thoughts.

I can say with honesty, of the man I knew so well, that Paul would have been very proud. Thank you.

Paddi