Obit: Mick Brooks (10 Nov 2005)

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Brooks (10 Nov 2005)
From: GUEST,Thursday
Date: 17 Nov 05 - 02:37 PM

Mick's funeral has been arranged by his partner Barbara. She is the one who has decided where donations should be made.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Brooks (10 Nov 2005)
From: GUEST,Martin Ellison
Date: 17 Nov 05 - 04:34 PM

This is sad news indeed. I'd like to extend condolences on behalf of myself and the old "Ran Tan Band" members. Mick called for us on a couple of occasions and I remember him as being one of those easy going, easy to get on with, impossible not to like sort of blokes. Infectious laugh and infectious enthusiasm.
Sorry I can't be with you on Monday but, if you get there Ralphie please play a tune and raise a glass for me.

Martin Ellison

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Brooks (10 Nov 2005)
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 12:51 AM

Martin.
Good to hear from you. Yes, I can get there, and will certainly raise a glass, and probably play many tunes!!
Hope you and the family are keeping well. Cheers Mate.
Ralphie.
(Please get in touch sometime?)

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Brooks (10 Nov 2005)
From: afriend
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 04:10 AM

To Guest, thursday. Don't want to raise bad feeling at such a sad time, but to many of us, Sue was Mick's partner. They hadbeen together for many years. It was an open secret thatbefore Mick was taken ill they had been making plans to live together. Please respect her feelings too.

That said. I'm not looking forward to Monday, but I will be there too. Mick will I'm sure be with us in spirit.

Anna

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Brooks (10 Nov 2005)
From: GUEST,Sally M - at work
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 06:04 AM

I last saw him only about 4 weeks ago at one of the regular Bucks sessions we fiddle away at. Although a bit tired he was looking fairly okay and better than on some previous sessions. It was amazing how he found the energy to keep his music going till the very end. Although he could certainly be a prickly 'old goat' sometimes, he was great company and always ready with his distinctive laugh. We shall sorely miss his company, his laugh and his many tunes. A very talented guy.

Sally

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Brooks (10 Nov 2005)
From: GUEST,sonofmick
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 08:24 AM

Lets respect everyone's feelings, Dad wouldn't want it any other way. Look forward to having a drink with you all on Monday and for those who can't make it, raise a glass anyway!
Matt

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Brooks (10 Nov 2005)
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 09:18 AM

I'm so sorry to read all this. I saw him at Banbury and have known he was ill for some time. I thought he was looking good. We knew it would happen sometime but always hoped that it wouldn't. Lots of love to you Sue and although I haven't met Barbara and the family (I don't think) I hope the pain will pass.

Probably won't be there on Monday. Hope it goes well.

regards
Sally (The Lemonade Lady)

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Brooks (10 Nov 2005)
From: Chrissy
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 05:43 PM

Its wonderful to read so many tributes to Mick Brooks.
He will be sadly missed not only by his numerous friends in the folk world but by his long time partner Barbara Hayes.
Mick and Barbara have run a very successful gift shop and picture framing business for many years and Barbara has been a stalwart friend and folk scene companion too.
She has organised a number of dances and events with Mick and played a full and active role in his interests.
My thoughts are with Barbara at this sad time and I hope that others will join me in sending her our love and support.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Brooks (10 Nov 2005)
From: GUEST,hen harrier
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 09:27 PM

I most certainly will! Sorry I can't be there.

Jim Martin,
Dunsallagh East,
Miltown Malbay,
Co. Clare,
Ireland

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Brooks (10 Nov 2005)
From: GUEST,hen harrier
Date: 19 Nov 05 - 09:23 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Brooks (10 Nov 2005)
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Nov 05 - 10:19 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Brooks (10 Nov 2005)
From: Houston_Diamond
Date: 20 Nov 05 - 05:19 PM

I never know what to say at times like these but I will say this.

Mick was someone I consider as a member of my folk family and will be remembered though my lifetime. Ceilidh's will seem to miss something without his presence and will never be as enjoyable as when Mick was the caller.

See anyone that appears tomorrow. :)

Houston

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Brooks (10 Nov 2005)
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Nov 05 - 09:55 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Brooks (10 Nov 2005)
From: MBSLynne
Date: 21 Nov 05 - 02:37 AM

I will stop and have a thought for Mick this afternoon.....thoughts for his family too

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Brooks (10 Nov 2005)
From: fiddler
Date: 21 Nov 05 - 04:12 AM

Today feels flat, after lunch will feel slower, I trust all who are there to see Mick off in style and life can begin to return to normal for all. Although never the same.

Andy

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Brooks (10 Nov 2005)
From: GUEST,hen harrier
Date: 21 Nov 05 - 10:13 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Brooks (10 Nov 2005)
From: treewind
Date: 22 Nov 05 - 10:50 AM

One of the more poignant parts of the memorial service was the very first contribution - a couple of tunes played on Mick's fiddle. A fine miscellany of music, dance and anecdotes followed. Thanks to all who contributed.

We left while a session was still in full swing at the King's Head - don't know how much longer it went on but Mick got a great send-off.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Brooks (10 Nov 2005)
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 22 Nov 05 - 07:17 PM

Memories for me also of the Big Band ceilidhs in the Church House marquee where he made sure our tempo was right for dancing by doing a pre-run himself.
I also saw him at the Big Band Ceilidh in the Anchor gardens this year and (professional hat on) thought he looked pretty unwell then despite still having all that energy. My condolences too to his family.
TB

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Brooks (10 Nov 2005)
From: Houston_Diamond
Date: 22 Nov 05 - 09:48 PM

I don't remember ever seeing such a talented gathering of people, the Kings Head was far too packed inside so you were lucky to get a chair (or a standing space) there.

Outside the ceilidhs being performed looked fun (and dangerous on the icy cobbles which kinda added to the fun ;P).

A few musicians moved onto the Queens Head due to the limited space.

The best send off I've ever been to (It was like a mini festival with some of the talent there).

The day just proves how inspirational Mick was and how many lives he touched with the joy and passion of the music he was involved with.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Brooks (10 Nov 2005)
From: MBSLynne
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 02:47 AM

Thanks for the evocative report Houston...makes me wich more than ever that I'd been able to get there. I hope it was a little consolation to his family.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Brooks (10 Nov 2005)
From: treewind
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 08:41 AM

Another participant emailed me this morning:
"By the time we finished at the church you couldn't get in the door at the King's!!
And Barbara was worried not enough people would come, huh?"

I hope the turnout was some comfort.

Roger Rowe has published Pictures of the session

Anahata

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Brooks (10 Nov 2005)
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 10:56 PM

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Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Brooks (10 Nov 2005)
From: GUEST,Frances O'Rourke
Date: 24 Nov 05 - 01:01 PM

I'm so sorry to hear about Mick. He played at my 21st birthday which was well, a few years ago now. A lovely man, always positive, happy and such a great caller. He could get dancers to do anthing at all, sometimes quite complex moves with so few words and with such charm and ease.

Frances

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Brooks (10 Nov 2005)
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Nov 05 - 10:02 PM

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Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Brooks (10 Nov 2005)
From: GUEST,Hen Harrier
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 04:56 PM

Good to see you on the "Catters" site, Frances.

Jim Martin

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Brooks (10 Nov 2005)
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 07:44 AM

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Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Brooks (10 Nov 2005)
From: Arbuthnot
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 08:24 PM

There's a thing - I still owed him a pint from the last Sunday guitar session I went to before I moved North. Sad to hear - condolences to all - but if I know Mick he'll be running a harp workshop as I write!