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IN LOVING MEMORY

In this wonderful, colourful life, we often meet people who bring such joy into your lives.

Never to be forgotten.

Ann Alexander

Annie Nöele Jacqueline Miles

Stan Gee

6th September 1942 - 4th June 2026

Stan was a good collector of quality acoustic instruments and a fine craftsman making custom made guitar straps.

"I am an ex-pro musician & music teacher of some 50+ years playing experience. I disagree with the comments relating to George Formby. With his 'Village Idiot' persona, he left a legacy which perceived the Ukulele as being merely a prop for similar style comedians. Formby was a self confessed musical Philistine, and whilst I agree that the ukulele is extremely accessible, it is not strictly true that that you can play it "without any musical knowledge at all" yet Mr. Maudsley seems quite happy to perpetrate the idea that any idiot can do it! This association of the ukulele with Formby caused player like myself such embarrassment that serious musicians were forced to hide their talent in the 'closet'!

Luckily the younger generation, oblivious of Formby, have thrown themselves into a much wider range of music, which as well as adding to the growing eclectic ukulele trend, have enabled us old fogies to emerge from the closet to once more enjoy the original ukulele music of the Jazz era without someone shouting "turned out nice again"! How refreshing."

Stan Gee, Redcar, Cleveland, England

David Walker

Passed Away 5th September 2025 aged 75

Our Cheeky Southerner from London. A lovely kind gentleman, who enjoyed performing Blues Music.

I discovered David Walker at the Candlelite Club, the most striking things I first noticed was his London accent!

Still, being the only Southerner in the club was forgiven as his performances are amazing, and we, as a club, and indeed, his chums, have followed him through what he describes as the toughest journey of his life.

He joined the Hartlepool Ukelele Group 'HUG', when he realised that they desperately needed help, and became the band leader about 6 years ago.

December's 'pinup' bringing us into the new year.

Due to me having the sniffles, I asked them to conduct the interview, and safety first. And Pat, you did a fantastic job!

David's Musical life story in his own words.

1950's

I was influenced by my cousin Anne. She sat me down by her radiogram and said listen! I did, as any 8-year-old would.

Craig Douglas. Marty Wilde, Jess Conrad. Billy Fury, Neil Sedaka but it was early Elvis Presley that stuck in my mind. A raw bluesy sound.

1960's

The Beatles the Stones. Sounds like never before. The Stones singing blues songs, Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters. Howlin Wolf. Little Walter and many more. The Blues had entered my life, not literally, but the music appealed to me.

I had a cheap B&M Japanese guitar and just sat and played along with them all. What a great time to be a teenager in London!

Carnaby Street, Charing X Rd music shops, 1965 seeing Bob Dylan at the Albert Hall. That’s when I bought my first harmonica and harness.

Then I helped a local group out and became the leader of SLIM CHANCE..... But Ronnie Lanes manager bought the name and we became FAT CHANCE. Left, 19-year-old David.

1970's

Moved from London to East Sussex and formed a duo with my younger brother Andrew. We bcame GADFLY, performing Simon and Garfunkel sings mostly. We played all over Sussex and Kent.

1980's

I Moved to Dubai for work. I was an area sales manager selling steel building materials in the Middle East and also the Far East based in Hong Kong. So, due to work, not much music for a while. I then moved to Hong Kong and joined a group of musicians for pleasure. I also saw Elton John. Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel, Cat Stevens and Jethro Tull.

1990's

I returned to UK and moved to Hartlepool. Hartlepool was a bit of a musical wasteland at the time. Until I discovered Open Mic Nights and Hartlepool Ukulele Group...

.... the rest is history.

Mic Darling

Passed away 9th March 2026

Mic Darling (also known as Mick Darling) was a respected folk singer and musician from the traveller community who performed for decades alongside his wife, Susie Darling.

Mic and Susie were a long-established duo on the folk club and festival circuit, performing at events such as the Musicport Festival and Bamfest. His song writing focused on the traveller way of life, including songs about horses, dogs, and chickens, which he described as a "way of life that has almost gone". He was widely regarded for his authenticity in the folk world, living the life he sang about. Following his death, he was remembered by the folk community as a "lovely, warm and generous person". The single "The Ballad of Mic and Susie" by Sam Barrett was written to honor their inspirational lives within the traveller community.

Susie Darling about her life on the road.

"These days there's only me and Mic, my husband of fifty-five years.

We've had seven children who are all now grown up and have families of their own. Since we got married in 1965 we've lived our life on the road, travelling mostly with horses and wagons. We've not had an easy life but we've sure had an interesting one".

Below is one of his paintings.

Mic Darling: Some personal thoughts by John Knighton of Bedale Acoustic Music Club

When I first moved to North Yorkshire more than 20 years ago, little did I know I would be meet someone who would have such a huge impact.

Mic Darling was a tour de force. Together with wife Susie, they made a formidable pair.

I first came across them at a singaround at The Angel pub in Topcliffe. Mic played banjo and sang. Susie played mandolin and melodion. Their songs told of a life on the road,the injustices meted out to the gypsy community, and the joy of life.

They were already established performers – with TV (Cilla Black Show) and radio appearances and several albums under their belts. But as I got to know them it was their genuine kindness and encouragement that marked therm out as rather special.

And it with other musicians they were most of home. Who can forget those marvellous nights in the Green Dragon pub in Hardraw? Where Mic and Susie led the sessions, surrounded by their friends, and we played on into the night.

I was lucky to play on stage with Mic and Susie on several occasions. We even formed a band together – The Rascals - with the emphasis on having fun.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Susie and family. And while it is sad to think I won't hear Mic singing and playing his banjo any more, his legacy is assured.

And I was proud to call him my friend.

Tony Wilson

10th August 1953 - 25th March 2025 Aged 72

A much loved man, an amazing musician and singer with a great sense of humour.

Interviewed by Sammi On Location at

CROXDALE ACOUSTIC & FOLK CLUB (8pm) Daleside Arms, Front St, Croxdale, Durham DH6 5HY

Tony Winlow

7th November 1942 – 25th December 2025

The very much-loved husband of Carole. A dearly loved dad of Mark, Laurence, Dawn and Gayle.

Adored grandad to Rhiannon, Maryam, Abigayle, Ava, Christie, Annabel and Archie.

Tony will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered. A man of many talents and many songs. He will be sorely missed.

"Take your glasses to the bar" one last time, Tony.

George Welch

Passed Away 21st August 2025 aged 75 years

Special memories indeed.

“How’s things George?” … “tickity-boo!"

Annie Nöele Jacqueline Miles

Passed Away 31st July 2025 aged 83.

The Widow of the songwriter, Graeme Miles.

Annie had her last wish fulfilled when she saw her husband's story immortalised in a book - just weeks before she passed away.

Ann Alexander

Passed Away 24th August 2024 aged 77.

Ann had a great sense of humour.

"Huge personality in a tiny frame" (Ken Arkley)

William James "Bill" Meek

Passed Away 24th August 2024 aged 77.

Just a few of the many songs written by Bill Meek, either solo or in collaboration with John Conolly, which have brought so much pleasure to lovers of sea-songs the world over.

“HERE’S TO THE GRIMSBY LADS”- “SAILORTOWN” – “TIME ASHORE IS OVER” – ”MEN OF THE SEA”. . .

Teacher and Folk Musician' Bill's family are sad to announce that Bill passed away at home on 17th June 2023, aged 86 years. The cherished husband of Pat, beloved father of William and Stephen and devoted grandfather of Charles.

Just a few of the many songs written by Bill Meek, either solo or in collaboration with John Conolly, which have brought so much pleasure to lovers of sea-songs the world over. Followers of their music will be saddened to hear of Bill’s death at the age of 86, after a period of illness following a stroke. A celebration of Bill’s life was held at Grimsby Crematorium on 11th July 2023, and he is survived by his loving wife Pat, his two sons Will and Steve, and his much-loved grandson Charlie.

Bill and John were brought up in the 1940s, just a few streets from each other, not far from the Grimsby Fish Docks, but didn’t actually meet until 1963, when Bill spotted an advert in the Grimsby Telegraph (inserted by John Conolly and Bob Blair) asking if anyone was interested in starting a Folk Music Club in Grimsby. Bill was the first to respond, proudly waving the only Ewan MacColl record known to exist at that time in North Lincolnshire as his passport to membership. . .

It was by no means his only qualification for running a Folk Club however – as John and Bill continued to sing together in Grimsby Folk Song Club’s first resident group “THE MEGGIES” (later to become “BROADSIDE”),it’s fair to say that Bill became the driving force behind the success of the Club, and its later offspring, the Cleethorpes Folk Festival . He was an excellent organiser, had a great singing voice, and was a fabulously witty M.C., whose ability to demolish an unwary heckler with one shot was legendary. . .

And then there came the songs – the many songs Bill and John wrote together over the years, usually sparked off by Bill’s poetic and evocative lyrics. The first of these to be published were two of Bill’s trawling ballads –

“HERE’S TO THE GRIMSBY LADS” and “A LUMPER’S LIFE”, which their Folk heroes Ewan and Peggy helped to get printed in one of the leading Folk magazines of the day. Countless collaborations later, John is still delighted to hear their songs being sung and celebrated in far-flung corners of the world. As Dr. Fred Woods said in his book “FOLK REVIVAL” – “ The Folk Grapevine has scattered their songs far and wide, and the quality is equally widely-recognised”.

Bill was a man of many talents – while studying Geology at Birmingham University, he became top-scorer for the Combined British Universities football team, and was offered terms by Birmingham City. . . sadly, however, a knee injury scuppered his chances of being a professional footballer. He became instead an excellent schoolteacher, who is still remembered with respect and affection by ex-pupils in many walks of life. The songs Bill wrote will certainly live on – it is possible, however, that the passion for learning which he passed on to his students will be his most lasting legacy.

JOHN CONOLLY ( with thanks to STEVE MEEK ).

Mary Heron

Passed Away September 2019 aged 97 years.

Mary, together with her husband Giles, had been a regular of the folk club from its days as Whitby Folk Club decades ago.

Stewart McFarlane

Passed Away 1st November 2020 aged 80 years.

He was a former BBC Cleveland broadcaster and Teesside Fettler.

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