2025 Obit: Geoff Higginbottom

Subject: Obit: Geoff Higginbottom
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 03 May 25 - 03:50 PM

Sad to report that the big C has finally claimed Geoff after a long battle. He passed away peacefully this morning. We knew it was coming but it is still a shock. He fought the battle with great courage and got every last bit out of the last couple of years. I am honoured to have seen him perform many times and glad to have known him as a friend.

RIP Geoff

Subject: RE: Obit: Geoff Higginbottom
From: Hesk
Date: 03 May 25 - 04:03 PM

Very sorry to hear that. He was a frequent performer at the Red House Folk club in Whitchurch (Hants UK) many years ago, and I still enjoy listening to a his tapes. Not many left from that era now, unfortunately.

Howard.

Subject: RE: Obit: Geoff Higginbottom
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 03 May 25 - 05:46 PM

Sorry to hear this - I’d heard, via Mudcat, that Geoff wasn’t well. We go back a long way, to the time he had a “real” job, but it must be over forty years since our paths last crossed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Geoff Higginbottom
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 May 25 - 06:55 PM

Earlier thread about Geoff from 2023.

Subject: RE: 2025 Obit: Geoff Higginbottom
From: Nick Dow
Date: 04 May 25 - 03:45 AM

News reached me this morning. I was glad to see him at Swinton Folk club when Dave gave me a lift over. Geoff and I go way back, and we have been on the same bill at numerous festivals over the years.
He was a hardworking professional singer, not above any sort of gig he could manage, inside or outside of the Folk Scene. We shared the same theatrical agent for TV extra work and even worked on some of the same programmes. He made a number of appearances upon 'Coronation Street' and once again proved himself to be a hardworking reliable professional. He was respected on the Folk club Circuit and could be relied upon to give an enjoyable and often hilarious nights entertainment. Mally and I will miss him. RIP Friend.

Subject: RE: 2025 Obit: Geoff Higginbottom
From: The Sandman
Date: 04 May 25 - 07:09 AM

Sad news.RIP

Subject: RE: 2025 Obit: Geoff Higginbottom
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 04 May 25 - 11:06 AM

More very sad news.
Nick has brilliantly summed up Geoff's personality and high standing on the folk scene. Geoff was one of those go-to entertainers who never once disappointed over the close on 30 years that I've known him. Hardworking and reliable, exceedingly versatile, possessor of a tremendous voice and a healthy repertoire of songs and shanties - and a thoroughly nice guy with a great sense of humour. I'll sure miss him. RIP, Geoff.

Subject: RE: 2025 Obit: Geoff Higginbottom
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 04 May 25 - 03:18 PM

Forseen and foretold by himself, it is still a shock, he seemed so indestructable.
I shall always remember him at one of the Lancaster Maritme fetivals at the final big sing. Each performer was adding a verse to "Leave her Johnny". Geoff's contribution threatened the organiser a terrible fate if Geoff was programmed to sing on the platform at the railway station ever again.

Robin

Subject: RE: 2025 Obit: Geoff Higginbottom
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 May 25 - 05:01 PM

I SAILED THE SEA
(Geoff Higginbottom)

As the sun sinks o'er the yard
The evening sea so still and calm
There's a time, there's a time
So long ago

As a young man I sailed the sea
In clipper ships crammed full of tea
From the East, from the East
So long ago

And round Cape Horn me mind goes now
Where waves crash like mountains o'er the bow
All around, all around
So long ago

And as my mind goes back down the years
I'm up aloft with all my fears
In the gales, in the gales
So long ago

So hard the work, so little pay
And always longing for the day
Turning home, turning home
So long ago

Pretty faces where'er you go
Make a sailor's money melt like snow
In the sun, in the sun
So long ago

From Calcutta, Rangoon and Bombay
To Lancaster and Liverpool Bay
Sailing home, sailing home
So long ago

And as I sit here in me chair
The world's gone crazy but I don't care
Memories clear. Memories clear
So long ago

As the sun sinks below the yard
The evening sea so still and calm
There's a time, there's a time
So long ago

Source: https://www.judybwebdesign.com/handspikes/with_shipmates/wsaa_lyrics/wsaa13sailed.htm

Subject: RE: 2025 Obit: Geoff Higginbottom
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 07 May 25 - 10:42 AM

All though expected it is still difficult news to hear. Goodbye Geoff and thanks for the music. As always, I am sending my condolences to all those who knew him and loved him. He has his place in the "In Memoriam" thread. RIP Geoff.

Subject: RE: 2025 Obit: Geoff Higginbottom
From: GUEST,Howard Jones
Date: 11 May 25 - 09:30 AM

Sorry to hear this.

Subject: RE: 2025 Obit: Geoff Higginbottom
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 12 May 25 - 03:38 AM

From Geoff's Facebook page

"Hi all so the funeral for Geoff Higginbottom will be held on 27th May st Stockport Crematorium at 12:45. Anyone is welcome to attend but I would request that anyone who would like to come and pay their respects, please do RSVP so that we can make sure we accommodate for everyone. @highlight Thank you :-)"