Obit: Miles Wootton (1934-2019)

25 May 03 - 05:34 PM (#959063)
Subject: Miles Wootton
From: chouxfleur

I was talking to his Woottonship yesterday and suggested recording some of his huge collection of unrecorded songs and poems. He has a file at his home with countless songs never before aired. I think he should do it. What do you think?

As many of you know Miles no longer plays or performs in public, although I think Hille may have worked a miracle by getting him to read some of his very funny poems at a Fringe event in Worthing in a few weeks. Anyone in this area watch out for news cos it will be a rare appearance.

We also talked of releasing both his albums (The Great Fishfinger Disaster and (the very rare) Sunday Supplement World) on CD. What do you Mudcatters think? Any interest for this material from out there?

Chouxfleur

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25 May 03 - 06:17 PM (#959076)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: Leadfingers

Anything new from Miles would be extremely welcome in my corner.I am
possibly one of the last people outside the Brighton area to book Miles and that was TOO long ago.A C D of Miles old stuff would be an addition to the now very dodgy cassettes I have in my collection.

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25 May 03 - 07:08 PM (#959099)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: Micca

Yeah, I am interested in CDs I have a VERY old tape of "Sunday supplement world" That has some of my fave Wootons on it, Multigrab and Unibrew, the gnome, and The delightful, "Take me back to eastbourne"!! yes please..

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26 May 03 - 01:41 PM (#959358)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: Geoff the Duck

I am sure thet a LOT of people would be interested in hearing a good collestion of Miles' material, both old and new.
We still regularly hear people doing versions of various of the oldies, some culled from records from other artistes such as Fred Wedlock. It would be nice to have access to the originals.
Quack!
Geoff the Duck!

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26 May 03 - 06:01 PM (#959445)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: chouxfleur

OK, we'll try. Miles is very good at saying yes to something today and no tomorrow.
I will do my best to get him to record the 'new' stuff and put the vinyl to CD. I'll keep you all posted.
choux

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06 Jun 06 - 06:43 PM (#1754509)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: GUEST,Colin Andrews

I'd be very interested in previously unrecorded stuff from Miles. I have both his LPS from the time I was living in Sussex

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07 Jun 06 - 04:18 AM (#1754748)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: Scrump

Yes, I'd be interested in a CD reissue of the old albums (I only have one of them) or a CD of new material.

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07 Jun 06 - 05:28 AM (#1754770)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: Lanfranc

Threads are SO much more fun when they aren't in chronological ordure!

I have a few old tape copies, FW versions and a Miles LP, but I,too, would like more of Miles songs on CDs, especially if otherwise unissued.

Alan

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07 Jun 06 - 02:31 PM (#1755110)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: vectis

Yes I'd be interested in his stuff on CD. It's a great pity we can't get live performances any more they were such good fun.

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15 Mar 08 - 11:16 AM (#2289075)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: GUEST,miles wootton

Have cd compilation out. Ten quid including p&p.

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15 Mar 08 - 01:11 PM (#2289134)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: vectis

How do we get the dosh and our addresses to you Miles. We can't send Personal Messages to GUESTS, sorry.
Hope to see you over at Seaford one day soon
Mary

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15 Mar 08 - 04:02 PM (#2289215)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T

Me too.

I'm one of those who regularly perform items from Miles' repertoire, and would love to have a CD collection.

Don T.

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15 Mar 08 - 09:04 PM (#2289391)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: GUEST,Acorn4

Saw Miles W about thirty years ago at a club that used to run in Preston Circus, Brighton. He was one of the great comical/satirical figures contemporary with Mike Harding, Jasper Carrott, Jeremy Taylor etc - still one of the greats although some of the songs have inevitably dated a bit. I heard the "funny customers" song done at a club only last week - my favourite always used to be "The Village Production of Hamlet" - which I'm 90% certain was one of his, although correct me if I'm wrong here.

I think he should DEFINITELY record those songs- otherwise they run the risk of vanishing into the great recycling bin of history

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16 Mar 08 - 05:53 AM (#2289556)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: breezy

Go for it

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30 Sep 08 - 07:25 AM (#2453632)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: GUEST,Adrian

I am thinking of recording 'It's not much fun being a gnome' set to a tune I wrote but need to know who the publisher is in case it sells a zillion copies. Let me know at [e-mail]

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01 Oct 08 - 05:29 AM (#2454548)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: GUEST,Stuart Reed

Re Miles' CD - he can be contacted direct: [e-mail]

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01 Oct 08 - 11:00 AM (#2454816)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: Leadfingers

But WHY rewrite the tune ? Isnt Miles' tune good enough ??

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19 Oct 08 - 09:03 AM (#2469826)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: GUEST,The Singing Gnome

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A13FuixaquU

there's a new version here especially done for children, with miles' blessing. have fun!

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19 Oct 08 - 12:48 PM (#2469994)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: breezy

dear Guest Adrian

Hang on, as well as M W

Derek Brimstone also recorded 'The Gnome' why back when

The tune is well gnome in folk circles, so if you havent heard it, further research is required before you go any further.

so guest Adrian , sign up to the cat, P m me for a gnome phumber and I'll sing it to you.

Next gig sunday 9th nov at the Plough, Leverstock Green , Hemel hempstead

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19 Oct 08 - 12:57 PM (#2470010)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: dick greenhaus

Or you could get the CD from CAMSCO. Obviously, a last resort.

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13 Jul 10 - 04:24 PM (#2944504)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: GUEST,cait oliver

Please, does anyone know Miles Wootton's email address? I need to get copyright permission to use his Pub Song in an upcoming Scottish novel. My email address is [e-mail] Thanks so much for any help.

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13 Jul 10 - 04:44 PM (#2944514)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: Vic Smith

Cait,
I have emailed it to you.

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13 Jul 10 - 06:17 PM (#2944565)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: Leadfingers

Why do people post questions in threads without reading through ??
Stuart Reed put his E Mail in earlier !

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14 Jul 10 - 01:06 PM (#2944959)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: GUEST

How do you know that Cait didn't read the thread?

Stuart Reed put his E Mail in earlier !

Nearly 2 years ago, and these things change...

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14 Jul 10 - 01:22 PM (#2944966)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: Joe Offer

It's been a puzzle to me why people ask questions that have been answered earlier in threads, and I haven't found out why. I think perhaps they got to a thread by a search engine and see only part of the thread or just one message - but I don't really know. Whatever the case, I've learned that it happens frequently, so there must be a reason.

-Joe-

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16 Jul 10 - 03:08 PM (#2946331)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: mileswootton

.to many who have asked (thanks) my email is

[e-mail]

I have a CD on sale and am thinking of making another

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16 Jul 10 - 03:11 PM (#2946332)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: mileswootton

Thanks. My address is [e-mail]

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17 Sep 10 - 03:37 PM (#2988877)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: mileswootton

I have a CD available. "The Least Worst of Miles" Ten quid including P&P. Miles Wootton.
[e-mail]

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15 Jul 12 - 03:29 PM (#3376654)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: Will Fly

I was chatting to Miles this afternoon in the Mitre in Britain. I hadn't seen him since the old folk days in the Marlborough and the Springfield. Miles mentioned that he has at least a CD's worth of material that he'd like - as he put it - "to lay down before I lay down", and we may get together in a few weeks time to make some recordings. (He'd heard some of the recent recordings I've done with Chris Wolferstan and thought I was OK for the job). So - watch this space and, with luck, there'll be some more of Miles's wit and humour around for us all.

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15 Jul 12 - 05:04 PM (#3376692)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: Acorn4

Have got volume 1 and will certainly purchase volume 2 when it becomes available - one of the original pioneers of folk humour.

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15 Jul 12 - 06:30 PM (#3376735)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: Leadfingers

Me Too !! Miles has always been one of the writers I would steal songs from .

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16 Jul 12 - 08:49 AM (#3376976)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: GUEST,Phil B

Will. You record it, I'll master it. Be great to have some Wooton material out there again. I used to do 'Senile Delinquent' with my old mate Colin Wilson way back at the beginning of time. Miles is a songwriter of great wit and perception. Give him my regards.

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16 Jul 12 - 09:50 AM (#3376995)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: Will Fly

Will do, Phil. I'll await his decision as to when he wants to get cracking.

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16 Jul 12 - 10:37 AM (#3377021)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: Vic Smith

Phil and Mike - this could be just what Miles needs! He is certainly in need of a bit of a boost at the moment. Go for it!

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17 Jul 12 - 08:53 AM (#3377631)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: GUEST,synbyn

definitely!

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17 Jul 12 - 09:09 AM (#3377639)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: GUEST,Chris Newman

Please give Miles my best - haven't seen him for a very long time - and put me down for a copy of the CD when it comes out.

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17 Jul 12 - 09:29 AM (#3377645)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: Will Fly

Hi Chris - I'll certainly do that.

(And let me say here, as I did when we were there, that your recent set at the Hawth in Crawley was sensational. Memories of the Redan, eh?)

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12 Oct 18 - 02:07 PM (#3956320)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: GUEST,John Pole

Miles is very ill indeed in the Royal Sussex County Hospital (12 October 2018) Emerald Ward.

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12 Oct 18 - 02:15 PM (#3956321)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: Acorn4

As a writer of comic songs and occasional parodies he was a very early influence on my own writing.

I remember seeing him at the old Preston Circus club in Brighton and laughing my socks off.

One of the pioneers of folk comedy if not the originator. I bought one of his CDs when his songs were transferred from vinyl to CD and we had a bit of a chat on the phone.

Some of his songs are still done in clubs, though often, unfortunately not credited to him.

I don't know if there is any possibility of him pulling through this but the outlook doesn't seem that good from the post.

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12 Oct 18 - 06:31 PM (#3956360)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: GUEST,FANTUM

Oh yes if Miles is up to it get everything recorded.I can add the new ones to my collection of one
But everything must wait till Miles feels better

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13 Oct 18 - 04:05 AM (#3956401)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: Will Fly

I see Miles from time to time at the Mitre in Brighton (his local), when Wolfie and I play there on a Sunday afternoon. He has indeed been looking increasingly frail, it's sad to say. One can only hope for the best.

I also have fond memories of the Stanford Arms club at Preston Circus - many great performers like Miles, Paul Downes, Stuart Reed and Tim Broadbent.

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14 Oct 18 - 07:59 AM (#3956564)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: GUEST,John Pole

Miles is now very seriously ill in the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Emerald Ward. How long he will last is not certain, but friends are visiting.

(Sorry I find I’ve repeated myself , didn’t realise my post was there. )

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19 Oct 18 - 10:05 AM (#3957399)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: Bugsy

Any news on Miles?
I've never met himbut sang a few of his songs and always remeber Derek Brimstone s version of " The gnome"

Cheers

Bugsy

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19 Oct 18 - 11:32 AM (#3957410)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: Will Fly

Miles is still in the Royal Sussex - with his beer being rationed by the nurses! His visiting friends have been instructed by the ward staff not to bring him any more as he had a hidden stash in a bedside cupboard...

Still not very well - but still capable of raising a smile!

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21 Oct 18 - 04:57 PM (#3957766)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: GUEST

Hi folks - I have SUCH a lot to thank Miles for - he was my French teacher in 6th form at school and we used to push the desks back at the end of double French on a Tuesday afternoon I think and create a mini folk club there and then - playing guitar laughing singing - got me through. If anyone is nearer or visiting please give him my very very best wishes. Love and harmony - Paul Wilson

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24 Oct 18 - 01:52 AM (#3958055)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: The Sandman

I hope he has a speedy recovery, i enjoyedparticularly his song about the pub selling crap food and the customers all dropping dead

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24 Oct 18 - 04:00 AM (#3958066)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: GUEST,Jerry

and those great lines...
“No dirty barrels here
We only sell hygienic beer
Safely paralysed within this aluminium drum.”

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16 Dec 18 - 03:55 PM (#3966664)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: GUEST,John Pole

Miles is now in a nursing home in Hove and glad to see
visitors but gravely I'll.

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30 Dec 18 - 04:28 PM (#3968918)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: GUEST,chouxfleur

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30 Dec 18 - 10:49 PM (#3968955)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton
From: Bugsy

I truly hope that there is some chance of recovery for Miles.
He's   one of the good ones.

Cheers

Bugsy

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14 Jan 19 - 02:11 PM (#3971468)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton info
From: Will Fly

My guitar buddy Chris Wolferstan visited Miles today at his comfortable nursing home in Hove. He was remarkably chipper. They have a bar at the place and Chris and Miles had a beer together. He has cancer, but he remarked that "Reports of my demise are premature". They had a chat about literature amongst other things, and Miles was very much with it.

Cheering news.

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15 Jan 19 - 01:22 AM (#3971532)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton info
From: Bugsy

Good to hear!

Cheers

Peter

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10 Feb 19 - 01:34 PM (#3975953)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton info
From: GUEST,Chouxfleur

It is with deep sadness that one of my best friends and much loved singer, writer and performer, Miles Wooton passed away last night. RIP old chum.

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10 Feb 19 - 02:10 PM (#3975962)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton info
From: Vic Smith

Very sad news but recent a visit and other reports made it sound inevitable.

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10 Feb 19 - 05:18 PM (#3975995)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton info
From: Acorn4

One of the earliest exponents of, and possibly even the inventor of folk comedy.

Wicked irreverent sense of humour.

You still often hear his songs performed in folk clubs, unfortunately often without him being credited.

Fond memories of the Preston Circus club in Brighton.

R.I.P Miles

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10 Feb 19 - 06:22 PM (#3976008)
Subject: RE: Miles Wootton info
From: Will Fly

I have fond memories of Miles at the Stanford Arms in Preston Circus (Brighton) and at the Springfield in Springfield Avenue (also Brighton).

Good days and good times, with many great performers like Miles.

RIP

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10 Feb 19 - 09:16 PM (#3976031)
Subject: RE: 2019 Obit: Miles Wootton - Feb. 9, 2019
From: Bugsy

Rest in peace, Miles. Your songs will live on.

Bugsy

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11 Feb 19 - 08:51 PM (#3976243)
Subject: RE: 2019 Obit: Miles Wootton - Feb. 9, 2019
From: Joe Offer

There's a brief but nice biography at allmusic.com:

b. 23 March 1934, Manchester, England. Although known for his humorous material, Wootton has also written more serious songs. Having started out in revue sketches at university, he then took up the guitar and started singing at the Heritage Folk Club at Oxford. This was followed by a residency at the Court House Folk Club in Cornwall. Moving to Brighton in 1965, Wootton began playing the local folk clubs, and writing songs with Allan Taylor. He contributed the lyrics to five tracks on Taylor’s debut, Sometimes, in 1971. Wootton subsequently plunged into a full-time career of singing and writing, with a number of artists covering his songs. A breakthrough of sorts came when he co-wrote, with Fred Wedlock, ‘Joggers Song’, the b-side of ‘The Oldest Swinger In Town’. This at least pushed his name forward to a wider audience. Wootton also wrote songs weekly for Wedlock when the latter appeared regularly on the Noel Edmonds Show for UK television. He has also contributed songs for BBC Radio’s satirical series, Week Ending. Wootton now plays only occasionally, but his songs are much covered and imitated.

May he rest in peace.

-Joe-

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12 Feb 19 - 08:00 AM (#3976299)
Subject: RE: Obit: Miles Wootton (1934-2019) - died Feb 9, 2109
From: Waddon Pete

A man with a wonderful talent for songwriting. We booked him a number of times at our folk club back in the day. My condolences to his friends and family. He is, of course, in the "In Memoriam" thread.

RIP

Peter

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12 Feb 19 - 08:44 AM (#3976310)
Subject: RE: Obit: Miles Wootton (1934-2019) - died Feb 9, 2109
From: Vic Smith

The biography of Miles quoted by Joe above from the Allmusic site is largely correct except where it says:-

Wootton subsequently plunged into a full-time career of singing and writing, with a number of artists covering his songs

This is incorrect. Miles was a full-time teacher of foreign languages at schools and colleges in Brighton, although he did retire a few years early in health grounds. We had many conversations over the decades that I knew him about the joys of being a semi-pro musician with a daytime teaching job - we still had an income even in the lean months for gigs and a professional pension to look forward to when we retired.

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12 Feb 19 - 09:12 AM (#3976316)
Subject: RE: Obit: Miles Wootton (1934-2019) - died Feb 9, 2109
From: GUEST,Jon Heslop

So sad.A kind, gentle and sometimes excruciatingly funny man with an enormous intellect and the generosity of spirit to share it.
I only knew Miles for about ten years but my partner, Fred first met him in her early teens at the Brighton clubs and on our frequent visits to Brighton, often had time to catch up with him over a beer or two in his favourite hostelry and put the world to rights; it's a pity the world and its leaders didn't listen to him.
R.I.P.

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15 Feb 19 - 07:00 AM (#3976826)
Subject: RE: Obit: Miles Wootton (1934-2019) - died Feb 9, 2109
From: GUEST,Guest - CJB

Great memories of cycling around the Sussex countryside on a Sunday, then arriving at the Stanford Arms at Preston Park in Brighton for the Folk Club run by Jim Marshall. Miles was compere. Happy memories of Merrydown Wine with blackcurrent - and Miles singing his 'The Gnome' song. Wonder what happened to all the tapes they made of those sessions?

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15 Feb 19 - 07:37 AM (#3976834)
Subject: RE: Obit: Miles Wootton (1934-2019) - died Feb 9, 2109
From: GUEST,Barry Hughes

I have just heard that Miles' funeral will be at 10am on 22nd February at Woodvale Crematorium, Brighton.

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15 Feb 19 - 07:43 AM (#3976835)
Subject: RE: Obit: Miles Wootton (1934-2019) - died Feb 9, 2109
From: Vic Smith

A great friend but sadly we cannot be there as we fly out of the UK on 19th.

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15 Feb 19 - 10:04 AM (#3976868)
Subject: RE: Obit: Miles Wootton (1934-2019) - died Feb 9, 2109
From: The Sandman

RIP and thanks for the songs

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15 Feb 19 - 10:48 AM (#3976880)
Subject: RE: Obit: Miles Wootton (1934-2019) - died Feb 9, 2109
From: GUEST,Guest - CJB

Weekending Nov 24th 1978

Here's one episode ...

https://wetransfer.com/downloads/6d54358d11d7b7324f857e1f8ed1c8d020190215153502/98e2f949fddcd0f589652da1115e664e20190215153502/759089

====

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15 Feb 19 - 04:34 PM (#3976946)
Subject: RE: Obit: Miles Wootton (1934-2019) - died Feb 9, 2109
From: GUEST

Week Ending Nov 24th 1978

https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/d38865abe377406b90f21b8fdd1d23c5

Some of the songs could have been written by Miles!!

===

And I found this:

https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/search/0/20?adv=0&q=%22miles+wootton%22#search

"Song of the Telly by Miles Wootton"

===

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16 Feb 19 - 04:28 PM (#3977160)
Subject: RE: Obit: Miles Wootton (1934-2019) - died Feb 9, 2109
From: GUEST,John Pole

I knew Miles for 65 years. He was a Scholar at our college but spent more time learning the guitar (from John Williams' father) and singing than studying. He taught for some years in London, then married and returned to Sussex to live and teach in Brighton. He was a fine guitarist, singer and songwriter, an acute observer with a satirical wit, strong feelings and convictions and a great way with words.He had many friends, some of whom learnt a lot from him, He was my best and, as we used to say of each other, my oldest friend. Goodbye, old bean, rest in peace.

Peggy Seeger recently wrote that "Miles was one of my most favourite of the ironic, sarcastic, humorous songwriters, reinventing the humour of stereotypical cultural behaviour and writing iconic folksongs. I recently sang his Hippies and Beatniks parody of Gipsy Davy at the Birnam Folk Festival in Scotland and it brought the house down. Goodbye, Miles … you gave me miles of pleasure and laughter. Peggy"

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/apr/08/miles-wootton-obituary

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16 Feb 19 - 05:56 PM (#3977176)
Subject: RE: Obit: Miles Wootton (1934-2019) - died Feb 9, 2109
From: Acorn4

John Pole - I wish there was a "like" button on Mudcat!!!

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17 Feb 19 - 09:31 AM (#3977323)
Subject: RE: Obit: Miles Wootton (1934-2019) - died Feb 9, 2109
From: GUEST

Bump

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17 Feb 19 - 09:34 AM (#3977326)
Subject: RE: Obit: Miles Wootton (1934-2019) - died Feb 9, 2109
From: Vic Smith

I'll put for for you, Acorn4 (and from myself as well). 

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17 Feb 19 - 01:21 PM (#3977386)
Subject: RE: Obit: Miles Wootton (1934-2019) - died Feb 9, 2109
From: GUEST,chouxfleur

In answer to CJB's question about making a definitive list of Miles's songs, it might help to know that, (as one of his long time friends) I have in my possession a large number (though as it turns out , not all) of his files full of his original handwritten scripts of songs, pieces for radio, newspapers and ideas for shows and even more songs. None of us, I believe knew how prolific this talented friend was. He was so self effacing that I believe, like Jake Thackeray, he never had the confidence to truly believe how good he was. I am currently scanning and saving all the material I have here, the originals will go to his daughters. Hopefully I will be able to have access to the rest of his work to scan and save, and later with the families consent make it all available.
I am also slowly gathering as many recordings I can of Miles besides those that were commercially available.
I hope to ensure his work lives on. All singers and performers out there do your bit, learn and sing Miles' songs at your local club. A bright light has gone out, lets ensure we remember Miles through his work.

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21 Mar 19 - 05:30 PM (#3983715)
Subject: RE: Obit: Miles Wootton (1934-2019) - died Feb 9, 2019
From: GUEST

I am so sorry to read of the death of Miles Wooton. I first heard Miles' songs mainly through the likes of Derek Brimstone and Fred Wedlock but I loved them and I wrote to him. He sent me a tape of Sunday Supplement World which I played and played. miles had a really good voice and put the songs across well - I was surprised he wasn't more widely known. I do hope his material could be released. In a week in which Harvey Andrews has made number 1 on the Amazon download charts, it would be great to see Miles' songs get the following he deserved. RIP Miles

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12 Apr 19 - 01:38 PM (#3987098)
Subject: RE: Obit: Miles Wootton (1934-2019)
From: Joe Offer

John Pole wrote an obituary for Miles Wootton in the Guardian. I added a link to John's post above, but here's another copy of the link so you won't miss it:

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/apr/08/miles-wootton-obituary

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13 Apr 19 - 12:12 AM (#3987154)
Subject: RE: Obit: Miles Wootton (1934-2019)
From: GUEST,Clive

Miles Wooton songs on Week Ending

About a month ago, someone was asking about this. I asked a friend and ex-colleague who had written a couple of newslines for Weekending if he could shed any light on the subject. He's come late to the email, but writes:

"I have no idea when Miles Wooton's songs were used, but I know how his friends can find out!

There is a book which chronicles the history of week ending and every single contributor! The book is 'Prime Minister, You Wanted To See Me? A History Of Week Ending'.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Prime-Minister-You-Wanted-See/dp/1900203294

I don't own it myself, but I did borrow it once, and photocopied the page I'm listed on."

He actually writes that Maidstone Library had a copy, but that's a local reference less relevant here.

Best,

Clive

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08 May 19 - 02:26 PM (#3991476)
Subject: RE: Obit: Miles Wootton (1934-2019)
From: Vic Smith

It's taken three months but the admirable obituary on Miles written by his close friend John Pole appeared in my edition of The Guardian today.
The On-line version remains the same as I gave above -

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/apr/08/miles-wootton-obituary

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My friend Miles Wootton, who has died aged 84, was a gifted singer-songwriter who wrote, sang and recorded many songs during the 1970s and 80s that are still popular in British folk clubs.

A fine guitarist and a wry observer of life, he blended music hall and folk song in a distinctive way: Ewan MacColl said he “had the common touch” and Peggy Seeger calls him one of her “favourites of the ironic, sarcastic, humorous writers of iconic folk songs”.

Although Miles wrote serious songs and poems, he is best known for comic songs such as The Jogger’s Song (the B-side of Fred Wedlock’s hit single The Oldest Swinger in Town), The Gnome, and Early One Evening. He performed in folk clubs throughout the southern counties, from the Troubadour in London to the Count House in Cornwall, recording two LPs, Sunday Supplement World (1975) and The Great Fish Finger Disaster (1980), and one CD, The Least Worst of Miles Wootton (2007).

A number of his songs entered the folk tradition: some were recorded by his friend Allan Taylor, others by singers such as Françoise Hardy, Cyril Tawney and Martin Carthy. He wrote and performed for BBC Radio Brighton (later BBC Radio Sussex), contributed to BBC Radio 4’s satirical programme Week Ending, and had occasional articles published in the Guardian.

The eldest son of Stanley Wootton, a viola player in BBC orchestras, and his wife, Ruth (nee Anderson), a former Tiller girl, Miles was born in Manchester and attended Worthing high school in West Sussex. In 1953 he won a scholarship to Jesus College, Oxford, where he studied modern languages. A founder member of the Heritage Society, Oxford University’s folk club, he also studied guitar in London with Len Williams, father of the famous guitarist John Williams.

After university he taught modern languages at Latymer Upper school in Hammersmith, west London. In London he met Valerie Perry, an architect. They married in 1965 and moved to Brighton, where Miles lived, taught (at Brighton and Hove grammar and Varndean high school), wrote and sang for the rest of his life. He retired from teaching in 1989 and loved watching the birds in his wildlife garden.

Valerie died in 1982. Miles is survived by their daughters, Kate and Poppy, and grandson, Enzo.

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04 Sep 19 - 09:48 AM (#4007301)
Subject: RE: Obit: Miles Wootton (1934-2019)
From: GUEST,John Charlton

I am trying to connect friends and fellow artists who were a part of the life and work of Miles. My idea is to arrange an event, in memorial, at the Mitre pub in Brighton, where I spent many an hour with my old mate, chewing the fat. If any one is interested in helping, contributing, or simply enjoying an evening of performance from his music and writings, some time during 2020, please feel free to get in touch.

Cheers. John.
[e-mail]

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07 Sep 19 - 01:58 AM (#4007649)
Subject: RE: Obit: Miles Wootton (1934-2019)
From: alanabit

There must be some folks around who would be interested. Paul Downes recorded "Sunday Supplement World". Phil Beer used to perform "The Senile Delinquent", which Allan Taylor told me he still had an acetate of. I believe that some of the Allan Taylor/Miles Wootton songs turned up on Fred Wedlock's earlier albums.

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