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14 Jun 03 - 02:07 AM (#966897) Subject: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: Bernard Brian Rathmill, inventor of the Pub Prop and all round Good Guy passed away in the early hours of Wednesday 11th June 2003. Brian was a regular at the Open Door Folk Club in Failsworth, Manchester, where his fine voice was heard leading many a lusty chorus song. He never had a bad word to say about anyone, and was one of the most optimistic people I have ever met. It is only a month since we were celebrating his 65th birthday at the club, and he was eagerly looking forward to all the things he could do in his retirement. Two weeks later he was rushed into hospital with suspected pancreitis, from which he later died. He had been sent home to await an operation for removal of his gall bladder, but the pancreitis to a turn for the worse. His invention, the 'Pub Prop', a device to support guitars, etc., when leaning against a pub table, is in use all around the world by grateful guitarists who can thank Brian for helping to prevent serious damage to their instruments. Funeral details are, as yet, unknown, and will be posted on the club website as well as here on Mudcat. All our thoughts are with Cath, his wife, at this difficult time. At least she can count on all of her many friends for support. We will miss you, Brian. |
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14 Jun 03 - 12:23 PM (#966899) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: Yvonne We shall miss him indeed, Bernard. Lovely man and a fine singer of songs.Even though I don't manage to get to The Open Door often--it was always a pleasure to hear Brian sing and to see his smile--infact I can not think of him without seeing his smile. My heart goes out to Cath. Diz |
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14 Jun 03 - 01:00 PM (#966909) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: Leadfingers Never met the man but his little invention is always with me.Another sad loss for the Folk Scene. |
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14 Jun 03 - 01:14 PM (#966915) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: Clinton Hammond Oh well fuck! I guess we'll have to meet face to face on the other side mate! I'm glad I at least knew you through email, money transfers and Mudcat PMs... Your Pub Props will one day, change the world... See ya down the road... |
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14 Jun 03 - 01:42 PM (#966924) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: Les from Hull What sad news! We met Brian face to face at Holmfirth this year after some time extolling the benefits of the pub prop. What a nice man! We're very sorry for his family and friends. Les and Maggie |
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14 Jun 03 - 02:11 PM (#966931) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: wysiwyg My sympathies, CH. Calls for a song-- maybe you can finish it. Now I'm Pub-Propped on the Other Side. ..... Just look in a corner of heaven, That's where I'll always be hanging around.... No offense meant. ~Susan |
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14 Jun 03 - 02:35 PM (#966936) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: Willa Sorry to hear this. my only contacts with him were by phone and letter,when I ordered a pub prop. He phoned me after receiving my cheque to apologise about having quoted me 50p (less thah $1)too much. When the order arrived it had a 50p piece included. Clearly a man of principle. |
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16 Jun 03 - 01:45 PM (#967095) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: Harry Basnett I first met Brian at Fylde Festival at the Mount singaround in 2000...in October of that year, Sara and myself first went to the Open Door Folk Club where we met Brian and Cath (both long standing supporters of the club) once again. It's hard to grasp the fact we'll never see Brian there again...or have him raise his glass and wish: "Good health all around the room" as he did at the start of every session...and I'll miss his support on all my chorus songs. He was a lovely, lovely man and life is so incredibly unfair! Our thoughts and love are with Cath and the family. Harry and Sara Basnett. "When we go rolling home........." |
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16 Jun 03 - 02:32 PM (#967120) Subject: Obit: Brian Rathmill inventer Pub Props From: clansfolk I was sadly surprise today to hear the news that Brian Rathmill died last Wednesday Morning. Brian who invented, designed and produced the pub prop here in the UK was a regular at festival and folk clubs a great guy always with a smile on his face and a friendly remark to all. Brian will be missed but remembered fondly every time I place my instruments safely into his pub props - I saw him only a few weeks ago when he gave me some spares for my props - yet another update to improve a simple but effective device. Rest in peace Brian or will you be starting a design for a prop for halos?? ---Jeff (PA)--- |
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16 Jun 03 - 02:50 PM (#967129) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Rathmill Pub Props From: McGrath of Harlow That's a blow. He was a great bloke, and no age. At Moreton at the weekend I was encouraging someone to buy a Pub Prop, which the Thrift Music stall there had on sale. And a good singer to have around as well. |
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16 Jun 03 - 03:04 PM (#967135) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: Clinton Hammond Would it be too ghoulish to enquire after the fate of his "Pub Prop" making tools? I'd hate to their run end as well... |
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16 Jun 03 - 03:41 PM (#967153) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: Bernard A fair question. Brian didn't actually do the moulding, a friend of his does it. So his invention will live on, which is what all of us would want (which is what people usually mean when they say 'he would have wanted it that way'). I'm fairly sure that Cath, his widow, will continue to fulfil any orders at an appropriate time. She has plenty of people around her (myself, Harry, Sara and Diz to name but a few) to help out with any of the menial tasks such as putting them together and posting them. It feels very strange discussing this... I haven't yet come to terms with the fact I'll never see him again... The Open Door Folk Club was very subdued last evening, despite the fact we had Joe Stead's song group 'Kimbers Men'. Brian should have been there... |
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16 Jun 03 - 03:49 PM (#967160) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: Clinton Hammond Ta fer the 411 Bernard... Like I said, I'm sorry if it came off ghoulish... that was not my intent... |
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16 Jun 03 - 04:12 PM (#967179) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: McGrath of Harlow It's not goulish. it's respect. A bit like wanting to know that someone is going to carry on singing a song that a friend who has died had written and used to sing. |
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16 Jun 03 - 04:23 PM (#967187) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: Clinton Hammond Nice comparison MGoH... ta... |
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16 Jun 03 - 04:41 PM (#967198) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: Roger the Skiffler I second the nice things people said. I bought a Pub Prop to take to my friend in Greece & sent too much money because the website was wrong and he sent a refund. Obviously one of the good guys. I bet he'll be making harp props now. RtS |
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16 Jun 03 - 07:11 PM (#967272) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: RWJ Met Brian at Otley a couple ? of years back . Selling "pub prop" down stairs at the craft market . Sad to know i will not see him there again . Ron |
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17 Jun 03 - 02:24 AM (#967389) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: Joan from Wigan I have very fond memories of Brian, and am very sad to think he won't be around any more. He was a wonderful man, and my thoughts are with Cath. Joan |
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17 Jun 03 - 07:23 AM (#967500) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: JennieG I didn't meet Brian but bought a 'Pub Prop' over the 'net last year, we emailed each other a few times, he seemed such a nice bloke.......what a bummer. My thought go out to his family and friends. Cheers (raising glass to Brian) JennieG |
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17 Jun 03 - 07:53 AM (#967512) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: A Wandering Minstrel I only bought a new pub prop a couple of months ago, The previous one had been in my bag for years. This is really sad. :( |
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17 Jun 03 - 04:01 PM (#967871) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: GUEST,Stephen Harrison ( Quartz) Its a great shock to hear of Brians sudden death and I always looked forward to seeing him every year at Fylde. As some of you may know ,I have never had call for a pub prop as I sing in an acapella group ,but it didn't stop him trying to sell me one. What a great fella. Our thoughts are with you Cath. Quartz |
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18 Jun 03 - 07:30 PM (#968681) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: McGrath of Harlow It wasn't on the news of course, when he died the other day, A craftsman with a singing voice, and friends so far away, Yes, friends who never saw him, in each corner of the earth For Brian Rathmill's Pub Prop – yes, we know what it is worth. Such a cunning little gadget, and it's saved so many folk, And that's a thing worth doing, and I swear that not a joke Yes, you can try to save the world, and I hope that you go far - But so many times Brian's Pub Prop has saved my old guitar I can leave it there in safety, as I struggle to the bar, And I turn and watch it standing there, and I raise a grateful jar. And every time I go to play, I'll call him back to mind, Sure, Brian Rathmill's Pub Prop is never left behind. Yes, times are strange, at times I think, "Are we heading for the end?" Well, thank God there are a few things still on which we can depend. The poet said, "Things fall apart, the centre cannot hold" But Brian Rathman's Pub Prop is worth its weight in gold. 19th June 2003 |
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18 Jun 03 - 08:38 PM (#968716) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: Bernard Thanks, McG, you echo everyone's sentiments, I'm sure. One of Brian's favourite songs was 'Home, Lads' Home', and your words fit the tune quite well... Brian's funeral will be at 12:00 noon on Friday June 27th 2003 at Dukinfield Crematorium. More details will follow when I have them. |
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19 Jun 03 - 06:25 AM (#968917) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: McGrath of Harlow Here's a page about Brian, with a picture. You're right Bernard about the tune. It was the one running in my head, and I couldn't pin down what it was. I remember we were all singing "Home Lads Home" in the bar at the Marine Pavilion at the Fylde Festival on the last night, and spotting each other at the far side of the crowd, and making our way through the crowd to greet each other and say so long, singing the song as we went. Fylde won't be the same without him. |
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19 Jun 03 - 10:27 AM (#969024) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: dick greenhaus I met Brian only once, and encountered the PubProp at the same time---I was sold on bothy of them. Afine guy, and a good product (think of it as a legacy.) |
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19 Jun 03 - 11:55 AM (#969088) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: McGrath of Harlow Make that last line: But Brian Rathmill and his Pub Prop were worth their weight in gold. |
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30 Jun 03 - 07:00 PM (#974727) Subject: Lyr Add - The Pub Prop Man From: McGrath of Harlow How did the funeralo go? On the day of it, June 27th, down at the other end of the country, I sang that song I wrote about him in the session in the Peterboat, at the Leigh on Sea Folk Festival. And here are the revised words (to a tune reminiscent of Home Lads Home, which he loved, but not quite the same): It wasn't on the news of course, when he died the other day, But this craftsman with a singing voice had friends so far away, Friends who never met him, but they knew him just the same, They knew him as "the Pub Prop Man" - Brian Rathmill was his name. Yes, times are strange, at times I think, "Are we heading for the end?" Well, thank God there are a few things still on which we can depend. The poet said, "Things fall apart, the centre cannot hold" But Brian Rathmill and his Pub Prop they're worth their weight in gold. Such a cunning little gadget, and it's saved a lot of folk, And that's a thing worth doing, and I swear that not a joke Yes, you can try to save the world, and I hope that you go far - But so many times the Pub Prop Man has saved my old guitar Yes, times are strange, at times I think, "Are we heading for the end?" Well, thank God there are a few things still on which we can depend. The poet said, "Things fall apart, the centre cannot hold" But Brian Rathmill and his Pub Prop they're worth their weight in gold. You can leave it there in safety, as you struggle to the bar, Then turn and sea it standing there, and raise a grateful jar. And every time I go to play, I call him back to mind, And Brian Rathmill's Pub Prop is never left behind. Yes, times are strange, at times I think, "Are we heading for the end?" Well, thank God there are a few things still on which we can depend. The poet said, "Things fall apart, the centre cannot hold" But Brian Rathmill and his Pub Prop they're worth their weight in gold. |
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02 Jul 03 - 03:52 AM (#974980) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: McGrath of Harlow This fell off the page when the Cat went down with Max's electrical fire. |
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02 Jul 03 - 09:38 PM (#975629) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: GUEST,dick greenhaus Well, they'll be available in the States as long as I can manage it. A regular item at CAMSCO. |
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03 Jul 03 - 08:14 AM (#975852) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: Orca the cat I don't think I ever met Brian, but his little inventions went to New Zealand with my owner and stayed, and I'll continue to sell them on my owners stall. Bless him and 'all the room' Orca |
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03 Jul 03 - 08:34 AM (#975863) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: Roger the Skiffler Great song (as usual), Kevin. RtS |
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03 Jul 03 - 02:13 PM (#976098) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: janey So sad to hear about Brian. He really was a lovely smiley man. We used to meet him occasionally in the Stalybridge Buffet Bar and at Festivals with Cath. He was always took time out for a chat and quick promo of the pub prop. what a sad loss. my thoughts are with his family; love to cath and helen. |
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03 Jul 03 - 07:26 PM (#976281) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: Bernard The funeral was very pleasant - perhaps that may sound strange, but it was. Sort of comforting, but not sickly-sweet or whitewashed. Only people who knew Brian personally were present. There was a little drizzle as the hearse arrived, and there was quite a crowd gathered outside the crematorium to greet Brian for the last time. As we filed into the crematorium, a recording of Bram Taylor singing 'How can I Keep From Singing?' was playing - a personal favourite of Brian's. Keith, Brian's brother, led the celebration of Brian's life with a few amusing anecdotes, Brian Harkins read a verse he had written specially (which he has promised to e-mail to me), and Mike Riley delivered the eulogy. The service ended with Alan Mayall and Stuart Thompson leading everyone in a hearty rendition of 'Steal Away', and we all filed out whilst Alan and Stuart carried on playing the tune. We adjourned to the School House (a licensed restaurant that used to be a school) for a buffet lunch. Brian would have been pleased with the service - Keith did him proud! |
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03 Jul 03 - 08:15 PM (#976305) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: McGrath of Harlow Thanks, Bernard. The right kind of funeral, just a lot sooner than it should have taken place. |
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05 Jul 03 - 05:11 PM (#977463) Subject: RE: Obit: Brian 'Pub Prop' Rathmill From: Bernard And so say all of us... |