Obit: Mick Brooks (10 Nov 2005)

Subject: RE: Mick Brooks
From: MC Fat
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 06:35 AM

First met Mick a long time ago when I arrived as a fresh faced young bold librarian in Aylesbury in 1970 blob. have known him since and he's always been a smashing chap last saw him at Whitby. He will be sadly missed. keep your chin up love and remember the happy times he was a special bloke.
Jim

Subject: RE: Mick Brooks
From: mrsmick
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 06:23 AM

Thank you for saying all thoase lovely things about Mick. He'd be cringing in the corner with embarrasment, but you're all right. He's probably walked straight into a session, 'kicked his way in' as he would say, without waiting till the end of a tune - he never did, why should he start now? And guess what - he's discovered he can drink again and is making up for lost time!

Next year is going to be so hard....

In the meantime I will let you know arrangements for funeral, flowers, donations etc when the family have decided.

Sue

Subject: RE: Mick Brooks
From: GUEST,Cats - cookieless
Date: 12 Nov 05 - 06:48 PM

My enduring memeory of Mick will be of the time he called two Ceilidhs at the same time at Sidmouth, one in the Anchor Gardens, one on the Ham. Deciding he could do both, he borrowed a bicycle to get between the two. He set one dance going in one venue then cycled to the other to round of that one and start another there. At one point he was gasping for a drink and stopped off in the Dove for a quick drink... only he got talking, as you do, and completely forgot the time. Some of us danced Stoke Golding Country Dance for nearly 15 minutes before we dropped to the floor.....
You'll be missed Mick.
Kathy & Jon

Subject: RE: Mick Brooks
From: ConcertinaChap
Date: 12 Nov 05 - 01:14 PM

One thing I'm glad of is that I have recordings of many sessions where that laugh rang out. Anne and I are really sad. Not good news.

Chris

Subject: RE: Mick Brooks
From: fiddler
Date: 12 Nov 05 - 01:01 PM

Devastated, a life lived - not wasted in any way = one that will be with us all forevwer - yes that laugh.

Warm thoughts is all I can offer to all those who need them.

Andy

Subject: RE: Mick Brooks
From: treewind
Date: 12 Nov 05 - 11:14 AM

Very sad news, even though we've been expecting it for a while. The Radway at Sidmouth and many other music sessions are not going to be the same without him, and the ceilidh scene will miss him too.

I can still hear that laugh. What a great way to be remembered!
Anahata

Subject: RE: Mick Brooks
From: Leadfingers
Date: 11 Nov 05 - 03:18 PM

Another good man gone !! Known Mick a long time - A Sad Loss to the scene !

Subject: RE: Mick Brooks
From: Mr Red
Date: 11 Nov 05 - 03:11 PM

guess he made his final call.

Subject: RE: Mick Brooks
From: GUEST,Chris Hall
Date: 11 Nov 05 - 02:57 PM

Yes,
We had a message from Sue this morning, saying that Mick died yesterday, 10th November

A sad day indeed.

Regards

Chris

Subject: RE: Mick Brooks
From: GUEST,Ralph Jordan
Date: 11 Nov 05 - 01:41 PM

Hello all.
Have just read on the fRoots board that Mick has passed away.
Very few details there, but, I'm sure Ian A wouldn't have posted it without verifying the story.
A very sad day. Will miss the old bugger. (As Fiddler described him)
RIP Mick
Kind regards
Ralph

Subject: RE: Mick Brooks
From: MBSLynne
Date: 11 Nov 05 - 02:36 AM

Trite or not Ralph, you're just expressing the feelings of a lot of us. Perhaps we're all feeling trite!

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Mick Brooks
From: GUEST,Ralph
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 06:22 PM

Blimey, that last post was rubbish.
I don't know what else to say. Forgive me.
R

Subject: RE: Mick Brooks
From: GUEST,Ralph
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 06:19 PM

Fiddler.
My thoughts exactly.
Why can I not type anything that doesn't sound "trite"
Good Man. Good Friend. Rubbish fiddler...(Joking!)
Could go down the line of Lighting Candles, but, he'd probably say..Nah..mines a pint.
We must all await the next news. with great sadness.

With Best Wishes.

Ralph Jordan

Subject: RE: Mick Brooks
From: fiddler
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 06:00 PM

I don't know if I am pleased or not about ur rumours lynne, I would never wish the old bugger weeks of pain and misery but the alternative is too dreadful.

I will keep everything possible crossed.

Subject: RE: Mick Brooks
From: GUEST,Nickp cookieless
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 02:13 PM

We'd known he'd been very ill for some time but he always seemed to keep going. If anyone sees him, pass on our best wishes, Nick & Claire

Subject: RE: Mick Brooks
From: MBSLynne
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 02:05 PM

So sorry....the rumour I reported earlier is incorrect. The person who told me misread a message.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Mick Brooks
From: GUEST,Peter
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 01:55 PM

My enduring memory is somebody at the National saying to me "Where's Brooksie? Oh! its all right I can hear him" just as that familiar laugh filled the bar.

Subject: RE: Mick Brooks
From: MBSLynne
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 08:31 AM

I've just heard he has died. Anyone got any more info?

The 'other bar' is going to be full of good company...I hope someone gets me a pint in for when I arrive. But I shall lift a glass to Mick here first.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Mick Brooks
From: Cats at Work
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 08:00 AM

We are so sorry to hear this about Mick. He is such a lovely, warm hearted person and always has been an integral part of Festivals. We wish him all the best.

Subject: RE: Mick Brooks
From: GUEST,Helen Akitt
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 04:49 AM

I too saw him at Banbury and thought he was looking so much better. So this is quite a shock.
It just goes to show that you can never tell with these things.
Anyway, our thoughts are very much with him.
Helen

Subject: RE: Mick Brooks
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 04:48 AM

Best wishes from me too. If I owe Mick anything, it's relearning the mandolin again. I used to swipe his at the Radway and struggle through 'The Rights of Man'. Must try harder!

Subject: RE: Mick Brooks
From: fiddler
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 02:53 AM

There are no words for this, Mick is part of the scene and always will be for those that know him.

Those that know me will realise the rarity of this remark, I'm lost for words!

Andy

Subject: RE: Mick Brooks
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 02:41 AM

I'm very sorry to hear this - best wishes from me too.

Kitty Vernon

Subject: RE: Mick Brooks
From: GUEST,Ralph
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 02:11 AM

Sad news indeed.

Many happy memories of sessions in the Radway, and other places.
Like Lynne above, I'm lost for words too.

Ralph

Subject: RE: Mick Brooks
From: Mr Red
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 06:01 PM

I have been amazed at his resolve and energy since the operation, but he lived for his music and calling so I guess it motivated him. I have to say the last time I saw him call at a Banbury ceilidh, not a month since, it was not punctuated by his usual laugh. But we enjoyed the dances so it must have given him pleasure.

Subject: RE: Mick Brooks
From: MBSLynne
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 05:06 PM

Oh no! He seemed so much better and so full of energy the last time I saw him! I don't know what to say....

Love Lynne

Subject: Fw: Mick Brooks
From: steve_harris
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 04:15 PM

From: Jeremy Tozer [mailto:[e-mail]]
Sent: 09 November 2005 16:46

To ceilidh-goers and folk festival regulars,

Sue Robson has asked me to put this message out as she does not want to have to keep telling people the same sad news one by one.

You may have heard by now that Mick Brookes went into a Hospice today. He was with Sue for part of the recent half term week and felt unwell during that period. I understand from Sue that the inevitable may well be quick and that in the meantime he doesn't want any visitors. Sue has had a lot of good wishes already for which she thanks people.

Poor Mick. He'll be missed.