2020 Obit: Alan Whitbread

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Alan Whitbread
From: r.padgett
Date: 18 May 20 - 02:44 PM

Yes John MacKenzie I remember the Endeavour session at Whitby ff you mention ~ he was unwell, not drunk ~ last time I would have seen him too

Ray

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Alan Whitbread
From: MudGuard
Date: 18 May 20 - 02:27 PM

Very sad to hear of his passing!

I met him at several gatherings (Llanfair Careinion 2001, Stony Stratford 2002, Brussels 2002, Whitby Folk Week 2003 and Portaferry 2004).

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Alan Whitbread
From: Severn
Date: 18 May 20 - 12:31 PM

I met up with him on a narrowboat trip in 2006 through the mudcatters who'd invited me and we were both on the same boat out of the two.I kept up with him for a while after I got back, but lost track of him. I enjoyed knowing him and am sorry to hear of his passing. I even am the proud owner of a "Trafalgar- Alan Whitbread and His Motley Crew" CD. May he rest in peace.

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Alan Whitbread
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 16 May 20 - 02:06 PM

Met up with him in The Endeavour at Whitby last August, and he was more than a wee bit pale and wan, but he still sang a song. Had a few words with him in passing, and that sadly was the last time we met.

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Alan Whitbread
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 16 May 20 - 01:53 PM

I was aware of his illness, and subsequent passing, which was widely acknowledged on Facebook: many tributes there. I knew him through the Sidmouth Middle Bar Singers, and the Doom, Gloom and Despondency competition which I entered most years (and won a few times, as did Kitty). Also bumped into him at Whitby, mainly in "Middle Earth".
It was sad that his funeral could be attended by so few, being after lockdown, but it was good to be able to watch it online. I know many people had planned to be there, before the lockdown restrictions were imposed.
Many thanks to his son, Simon, and partner, Julie, for keeping us informed of arrangements. I do hope that we shall be free to travel and celebrate his life appropriately next year.

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Alan Whitbread
From: GUEST,Des Patalong
Date: 16 May 20 - 12:51 PM

As has been mentioned above, Alan was indeed a member of the shanty crew "Sharp As Razors" along with myself, Clive Brooks and Vaughan Hully. Before that he was a member of "The Shellback Chorus" and "Sharp As Razors" very much came out of the ending of this. He had been living with ill health for some time and the news of his death was not unexpected, but it was not his way to stop living his life as much as he could to the full.
I'd not been aware of this thread until another friend informed me of it yesterday since I don't often get to mudcat, otherwise I would have confirmed this news a lot sooner.
He will be missed.

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Alan Whitbread
From: The Sandman
Date: 16 May 20 - 12:21 PM

jeri, we can all make mistakes. you are doing a good job generally

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Alan Whitbread
From: Jeri
Date: 15 May 20 - 05:36 PM

Sorry about the misattribution of Mandalay. I don't know why I made the mistake, other than I found the link to it on his page. Somebody'd posted it "for him".

If I can manage not to mess this up: Order of Service for Alan Whitbread

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Alan Whitbread
From: jojofolkagogo
Date: 15 May 20 - 05:08 PM

Thanks Kitty for that memory - we were at Sidmouth in some pub or other, and he spent about half an hour explaining about the Doom/Gloom thing - he had a mini coffin with him and was showing it to me.   I have so many memories of talking with Alan at so many different venues, all over the country. He was always very jovial towards me. Oh but he will be so sadly missed.

I have diarized the Wake in March '21 and hope to be there. Can you PM me with the finer details, either now or nearer the time please, Mr Chris Lamb. Thanks muchly.
Jo-Jo

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Alan Whitbread
From: The Sandman
Date: 15 May 20 - 11:39 AM

When i spoke to him he was worse than in bad humour, he managed to not put his glass of beer down on a table properly, as a reflex action I managed to catch it,he then accused me of knocking his beer over, poor fellow was clearly suffering mentally.

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Alan Whitbread
From: Mr Red
Date: 15 May 20 - 06:45 AM

When I spoke to him sometime last summer he was not in good humour. He had unspecified medical problems.

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Alan Whitbread
From: Acorn4
Date: 15 May 20 - 04:30 AM

Alan was also a member of the shanty group "Sharp as Razors" who have performed at many festivals over the past few years. I know that Clive Brooks and Des Patalong were fellow group members.

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Alan Whitbread
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 15 May 20 - 03:56 AM

Alan was also for many years the compere of the Sidmouth Doom and Gloom competition. He very bravely compered last year, knowing that it would be his last one, and began by listing his deceased predecessors and recounting the history of the competition. The role of compere he passed to Mike Gibson (Cllr on Mudcat) and Alan is now himself part of the history.

Kitty

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Alan Whitbread
From: The Sandman
Date: 15 May 20 - 02:52 AM

THE ROAD TO MANDALAY is Brian Peters on anglo concertina, Sorry Jeri

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Alan Whitbread
From: Jeri
Date: 14 May 20 - 09:10 PM

Jojofolkagogo, it was on Facebook. I didn't get the notice, but when I looked for it today, I found it.

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Alan Whitbread
From: GUEST,Chris Lamb
Date: 14 May 20 - 08:58 PM

Alan was a much-loved and respected member of the morris community, initially as a dancer and later as a musician for Shakespeare Morris and also for an itinerant morris side, Ragged Robin, with whom he toured in Europe, Alaska, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. His availability was sometimes limited due to singing engagements at shanty festivals and elsewhere. As a singer he was a stalwart of the Middle Bar in the Anchor Inn at the Sidmouth Folk festival.
He had been increasingly unwell during the past year or so, but was reticent about it, and continued enjoying his activities as long as he could. On being informed of Ragged Robin's plans for this year, he responded laconically, "I don’t think I’ll be available for anything in 2020. Stay healthy. Live long & prosper. Enjoy life! Alan".
His funeral on April 3rd was of necessity limited to close family. The planned wake was postponed and will now take place on Saturday March 27th 2021 at the Fleece Inn, Bretforton. The funeral order of service includes a lengthy autobiographical account of his life with many photographs and is available as a pdf. I'm not sure whether it can be posted somewhere for those interested.

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Alan Whitbread
From: RTim
Date: 14 May 20 - 08:54 PM

The singer on The Road to Mandalay Posted above is Dave Webber...Not Alan Whitbread..

Sorry Jeri...

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Alan Whitbread
From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey
Date: 14 May 20 - 08:48 PM

Thanks Jeri

Really enjoyed that

Did not (knowingly) know Alan but he sounds like someone I would have been happy to have known.

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Alan Whitbread
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 14 May 20 - 05:59 PM

I too could not believe that Alan's passing was not marked on Mudcat.
It was indeed 4th March, and his "virtual funeral service" took place on 4th April. I too only found out through Lorna (thanks L), since facebook is alien territory to me also! (At that confusing time I could only assume that there was some private good reason why his passing had not been mentioned, and that purely out of consideration and respect a thread had not been started..)
It had been a privilege to have known Alan, a splendid fellow and true gentleman and an excellent, characterful singer. RIP, friend.

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Alan Whitbread
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 May 20 - 05:58 PM

Alan was one of many British Mudcatters who showed hospitality to me on my trip to England back in 2002. I really enjoyed him.
I sat in the front passenger seat as he drove us through the Yorkshire Moors, first time I had been in a passenger car with the driver on the right side. Scared the hell out of me, but it was fun.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Alan Whitbread
From: The Sandman
Date: 14 May 20 - 05:42 PM

Subject: RE: In Memoriam
From: r.padgett - PM
Date: 05 Mar 20 - 01:30 PM

Alan Whitbread has passed on fb postings say ~ fine concertina player and shanty man also posted on mudcat under allanww

Ray

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Alan Whitbread
From: The Sandman
Date: 14 May 20 - 05:37 PM

Subject: RE: In Memoriam
From: Waddon Pete - PM
Date: 09 Mar 20 - 06:46 AM

Today I have added Joe Gordon, Joe Rae, Antonia Stampfel, Stephen P. Weber and Alan Whitbread to the thread. All great exponents of folk music in their own way.

RIP

Peter

Subject: RE: Obit: Alan Whitbread
From: jojofolkagogo
Date: 14 May 20 - 05:12 PM

Where Jeri ? Do you mean on Mudcat, because I could not find anything. If not, why not? He was a member on here. Not everybody does face-ache (including me !!).

Subject: RE: Obit: Alan Whitbread
From: Jeri
Date: 14 May 20 - 04:02 PM

His son posted that he died on 3 Mar 20.
Here he is singing Road to Mandalay.

Subject: RE: Obit: Alan Whitbread
From: The Sandman
Date: 14 May 20 - 03:33 PM

I am fairly sure it was a time ago,6 weeks? i think i saw it on facebook

Subject: RE: Obit: Alan Whitbread
From: jojofolkagogo
Date: 14 May 20 - 03:30 PM

Just thinking - I dont really have strong confirmation of this, and cannot believe its not been reported sooner - I got the news from a fellow folky Lorna Davies, who got it from Clive Brooks.

Can anyone either confirm (or preferably deny) the sad news ???

He was known everywhere in the UK, so whats the best news ?? Would luke to hear from anyone who KNOWS thanks
Jo-Jo

Subject: RE: Obit: Alan Whitbread
From: Raggytash
Date: 14 May 20 - 03:18 PM

This is very sad news, Alan and I always got on well when we met at various events.

Rest easy friend.

Subject: Obit: Alan Whitbread
From: jojofolkagogo
Date: 14 May 20 - 03:16 PM

I have heard that Alan Whitbread passed away a while ago, March, I think. Cant believe he is not in "In Memoriam" unless I have missed it.

I miss HIM. Last saw him in Whitby 2019, when we spoke briefly. A good friend, a wonderful person, a wonderful voice. I will never forget you Alan.

Jo-Jo