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Obit: Paul Connor (28 Jan 2003)
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Subject: Obit: Paul Connor From: Joan from Wigan Date: 31 Jan 03 - 03:57 PM I have just been told the very sad news that Paul Connor, stalwart of the Manchester (UK) folk scene, died on Tuesday last, 28th January. I have no further details at present about reason for death or funeral arrangements. I have fond memories of Paul at the Jolly Angler in Manchester. He wrote most of the material he performed there, either poetry or songs. He was a man of considerable talent with a wicked sense of humour. His activities extended to acting (several TV roles) and teaching music. He was also a staunch union activist. He will be sadly missed. Joan |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Connor From: GUEST,Mark Dowding Date: 31 Jan 03 - 07:26 PM Sad news indeed. Paul wrote superb songs including one called "Servant of the Company" about the LMS railway company covered by both myself and Brian Peters and also Tony Hill from whom I first heard it. His version of "Skewball" went Skewball was a racehorse I thought he was fine He wouldn't drink water he only drank wine I backed him with silver I backed him with gold And the rest of my story is easily told For now I'm a pauper and you'll follow suit If you back a racehorse that's pissed as a newt I remember seeing him on TV several times as a man in the background especially on the TV version of Elidor that was on a few years ago. I always looked forward to his performances at the Unicorn in Manchester when I was there in the early eighties. The man was unique. Mark |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Connor From: Dave the Gnome Date: 01 Feb 03 - 09:19 AM Unique indeed. We will all miss his visits to Swinton very much. The razor wit and lyrical skills, the Cigarettes with the filters ripped off and, most of all, the friendly intelligent chat before the proceedings started. I will keep the piece of paper he gave me with an idea for a song in pride of place now. I sing 'Away you santee' (New York Girls) and Paul, with his devilish smile, passed me a piece of paper one night which simply said - "Away Ashanti - Pimp from a South African Tribe..." Cheers and rest well Paul Dave |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Connor From: Bernard Date: 01 Feb 03 - 09:54 AM He was one of life's colourful characters, a true eccentric in the nicest sense of the word. He had an amusing habit of going to great length to introduce one of his poems or songs - which then turned out to be a mere half dozen words or so in length!! Hilarious! I last saw him when I played at the Full Circle Folk Club on November 22nd; he was also a regular at the White Lion, Swinton - where I first met him some twenty years ago. Rest in peace, chum - you've earned it. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Connor From: Mary Humphreys Date: 01 Feb 03 - 09:54 AM I am so sad to hear the news. I have many happy memories of Paul from my days at the Unicorn and many visits to the Jolly Angler. He was a very loyal member of the folk club, turning up regularly to entertain the assembled company with witty and topical items - his introductions to his songs were as good as the songs themselves. I well remember the LMS song mentioned by Mark. Especially as he once said, off the record, his father worked in a bank! Mary Humphreys |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Connor From: GUEST,Dai Thomas Date: 02 Feb 03 - 03:30 PM I've known Paul on & off since the early seventies - I remember him referring to John Cooper Clarke as "this upstart" one night in Pete Farrow's club in the old Music Hall round the back of The Castle, Oldham Street - and I count myself honoured that he turned up at a couple of my gigs solely to see me (at least that's what he claimed). He also called me "Sonny" on odd occasions and that's something that I'm old enough to treasure! The man had a gigantic and generous wit which he wielded with enthusiasm and precision. Missing you already, Paul! Dai. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Connor From: John Routledge Date: 02 Feb 03 - 04:27 PM So sorry to see you go Paul. You certainly will be missed. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Connor From: Joan from Wigan Date: 03 Feb 03 - 05:27 AM Apparently, a few weeks ago, Paul gave some of his poetry to John Green for John to put to music. I have now heard the sad news that John died on the same day as Paul. Bizarre, as well as doubly sad. I will start a new obit thread for John. Joan |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Connor From: Joan from Wigan Date: 03 Feb 03 - 05:40 AM Obit: John Green |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Connor From: Pied Piper Date: 03 Feb 03 - 06:54 AM Very sad news. Paul lived here in Eccles and I'd bump in to him now and then and have a chat. I'll miss him, but his works live on. All the best Paul, and thank you for making the world a richer place by your presence. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Connor From: Dave the Gnome Date: 03 Feb 03 - 08:29 AM Anyone any idea of time/date/place of funeral yet? We would like to send representatives, or a least a token of our gratitude for his contributions to folk music, from Swinton. Anyone have any contact names/numbers? Cheers Dave the Gnome |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Connor From: Catrin Date: 03 Feb 03 - 02:45 PM I found out about Paul this weekend. He was a witty, entertaining charismatic man and I will miss him next time I go to the Jolly Angler. His poems were powerful. Don't know what else to say, Catrin |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Connor From: Joan from Wigan Date: 06 Feb 03 - 05:34 AM I still have no news of funeral arrangements. If anyone knows anyone who might know, please ask for info. Joan |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Connor From: GUEST,Vince Date: 06 Feb 03 - 08:15 AM That was shock news!! Did'nt know Paul personally but saw him a few times recently at the Hare & Hounds on Shudehill, but first saw him many years ago as a regular at Pete Farrow's night at the Black Lion on Blackfriar's Street. Always good to watch and listen to, bless im. A sad loss to the local seen! Rest in peace Paul. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Connor From: GUEST,John Cartain Date: 06 Feb 03 - 08:23 AM I remember Paul from the Star Inn Salford in the late 1960's / early 70's.He was also part of the Ring o' Bells crowd at Middleton.You couldn't help but be impressed by his writings and his unique delivery.His appearance belied his intelligence and wit. I am a lawyer but I thought twice about getting into a war of words with Paul!! A character,a gentleman, and, last but not least, the holder of a much prized Equity Card. Rest easy. John |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Connor From: GUEST,Raggytash Date: 07 Feb 03 - 06:29 AM I too have fond memories of a warm wonderful eccentric, I remember Paul from the days of the Duke of York in Eccles and again I sing the Servant of the Company, it reminds me of my grandfather, who amongst his employ was a former wheel tapper. Paul also performed with a lady named Helen who played a guitar very simply to accompany Paul's voice but ocasionally let fly with a fiddle (By God she could play) Rest Easy Paul, Thank you for sharing your immense talent with us. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Connor From: Noreen Date: 08 Feb 03 - 10:27 AM Just got the following information from Terry Whelan: Paul Connor's funeral will be at 11.30 am on Tuesday 11th February at Eccles crematorium |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Connor From: Pied Piper Date: 09 Feb 03 - 09:26 AM Peel Green Crematorium is imediatly adjacent to Junction 11 of the M60. Has any one oganised a wake? If not the Duke of York Eccles is available,and about a mile from the Crematorium. When we had a folk club there paul attended regularly, and it would be nice to celebrate his life with songs and music, in his home town. All the best PP |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Connor From: Dave the Gnome Date: 09 Feb 03 - 06:07 PM I am off to Cambridge Tuesday afternoon but hope to make it for the service if not the Wake. Anyone know if there are any preferences as to tributes? Flowers or a donation to charity? Knowing Paul I would guess the latter but any idea which one? Hope to get a collection up at Swinton on Monday night. Cheers DtG |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Connor From: Pied Piper Date: 10 Feb 03 - 08:18 AM Just to clarify on some maps the motorway junction is numbered 2 the turn off you want is "Peel Green A57". I have arranged for some Butties at the Duke of York Eccles and the landlord has no problem with singing and playing. All the best PP |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Connor From: Taff Date: 24 Oct 03 - 08:34 AM Just caught up with this 'news' . Better late than never. I havent seen him since the mid-seventies, when I left Manchester, where he and I hung out at various folk clubs, singalongs, pubs and 'events'. I notice, no-one mentioned his talent for oil painting, Steam Engines at night as I recall. Another thing was his tenacity at worrying the establishment, I recall the BBC not only had a file of his letters, but they had their own drawer. I think Granada, the MEN, also probably did as well. So sad, but boy was it good while it lasted ! |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Connor From: GUEST,pgll Date: 16 Jan 13 - 05:41 AM LOST IN LEWIS'S I have only just learnt of the death of Paul Ambrose Croghan (the person you call "Paul Connor". I can remember some of the lost "Lewis's" song - see below - but there are several ines including at the beginning which I can not remember. If anyone has a copy of the full lyrics I would be interested to hear. I am wondering whether any copies exist of the rest of Crogahn's poetry, as I always felt that much of it was worthy of preservation for posterity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . For I rose up on the up escalator And oh my sweet darling descended the down. Should escalators now separate us As well as the fight of the previous night? . . . . . . . . . . I charged and barged with "Excuse me, excuse me" To follow my darling, but saw I should fail. I last saw my love in the Lewis's shoppers, I saw her go out of the Market Street door . . . . . . . on the Market Street pavement And I never saw my sweet lover no more. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Connor (28 Jan 2013) From: Waddon Pete Date: 17 Jan 13 - 10:58 AM Hello, Perhaps some-one can tell me whether Paul Connor and Paul Ambrose Croghan are one and the same? I would like to add him to the "In Memoriam" thread, but don't want to publish misinformation! All advice gratefully received! Best wishes, Peter |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Connor (28 Jan 2013) From: GUEST,999 Date: 17 Jan 13 - 11:05 AM No offence intended, but the thread title that shows on the present Mudcat page is seriously messed up due to a typo. FYI. I changed the year to "2003" from "2013". -Mod |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Connor (28 Jan 2003) From: GUEST,Peter B. Hardy Date: 18 Jan 13 - 06:05 AM I can most certainly confirm that Paul Ambrose Croghan and Paul Connor were one and the same person. I knew him from 1963, when he was an aeroplane-spotter at Ringway; two years later he founded the "Emily B. Bell Memorial Aviation Society", which operated for a few years running coach trips to aerodromes; in 1972 he helped me to found another aeroplane-spotting club entitled "P.B. Enterpises (Aero)" and continued to assist in this, especially in an advisory capacity, for six years. Sometimes I would go with him to folk clubs, especially one which he used to run with Richard Murphy in the "Black Lion", Salford. From 1978 to 1980 he shared a house with me in Sale, until there was a rather unfortunate quarrel and we went our separate ways. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Connor (28 Jan 2003) From: Waddon Pete Date: 18 Jan 13 - 01:21 PM Thank you! |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Connor (28 Jan 2003) From: GUEST Date: 16 May 15 - 05:14 AM The book of Paul's poetry may now be obtained from www.feedaread.com - the title is "The Poetry of Paul Abrose Croghan" and the ISBN is 9 781785 107245. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Connor (28 Jan 2003) From: GUEST,Noreen at work in the library Date: 16 May 15 - 08:06 AM Lovely! Thanks, GUEST. The Poetry of Paul Ambrose Croghan At the link above, there is a Book Extract: (The author has made an extract of the book available for reading. To download and read it now, click the link below.) The extract consists of three poems, all railway related. I'd love to know if it has his poem about losing his love in Lewis's as she went up the escalator while he was going down... |
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