Obit: Farewell Lena James nee Sinclair (1943-2025)

Subject: Obit: Farewell to Lena Sinclair or Lena James
From: GUEST,Isla Sinclair
Date: 28 Nov 25 - 03:23 PM

Hello all you folk singers, and maybe some of you from The Bell at aspley guise hogsty folk club, run by Norman and Lena Sinclair, who changed her name to Lena James after marrying John James.

I'm Isla, her youngest daughter.

Mum died peacefully on 11 Nov 2025, after winding down at home with John for the last 6 months after being diagnosed with brain cancer. I'm left with a legacy of all her folk notes and books, and recordings which i'm going to put up on youtube under the title 'Hogsty folk club - Aspley Guise 1989 ' (i think it was called that but that's what i'll label it as on youtube). It's got my Dad Norman and Lena Sinclair and all the other musicians joining in. Oh how i miss those harmonies we made in The Bell, I've never been able to hear it done so well in pubs since then.

I'll have to title the songs later on as need to organise for mums wake, at the Charwood in Edinburgh 2pm on the 5th of December. Which of course if you knew mum or feel connected in anyway you are welcome to join.

She gave up singing folk music after marrying john james. I think it was too painful a memory for her, because Dad had drunk all the happiness away. So I very much try to keep the music alive, although i'm not a folk singer as such, i could never learn the amount of songs you folk singers seem to! Because there was a disconnection from the music, I lost touch with the folk scene and many of mums friends as well :-(.

Anyway enough blabbering from me I just wanted to record it on here, and if Kelly Brewer or any of the Brewers come apon this i want you to know you are nothing but good memories and good times - hanging out with you guys and also in woburn when you moved there I loved it! Kelly I loved you so much darling you were so good to me. XXXX lots of love, isla.

Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell to Lena Sinclair or Lena James
From: GUEST,isla
Date: 28 Nov 25 - 03:25 PM

i forgot to say Lena james (previously sinclair) was born march 15th 1943 and grew up in edinburgh, spent a good portion in beds/bucks england, then wales then back to edinburgh!

Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Lena James nee Sinclair (1943-2025)
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 29 Nov 25 - 05:29 AM

So sorry to hear this Isla, many happy memories of the Hogsty, particularly Archie Fisher RIP. Looking forward to your youtube recordings! RIP Lena.

Subject: RE: Obit: Farewell Lena James nee Sinclair (1943-2025)
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 30 Nov 25 - 10:50 AM

A life well lived. Those YouTube recordings will be a pleasure to watch. I have added Lena to the "In Memoriam" and, as always, send my condolences to all those who know and love her. RIP