1953-2017 Jon Harman
Most of you who might look at our pages will know that Jon passed away on Easter Sunday after a short illness.
Jon only briefly dabbled with the guitar, though knowing him he would probably have mastered it if he had set his mind to it. He was however at the very heart of the Guitar Club. Jon was a lovely man. He had a wicked sense of humour. He was fascinating to talk to and generous with his time. He could converse with anyone on any subject, He loved to cook. At our away weekends Jon produced fantastic meals on his own for over 20 of us.
This is just a snapshot of a wonderful guy who left us far too soon. Jon we miss you.
Most of you who might look at our pages will know that Jon passed away on Easter Sunday after a short illness.
Jon only briefly dabbled with the guitar, though knowing him he would probably have mastered it if he had set his mind to it. He was however at the very heart of the Guitar Club. Jon was a lovely man. He had a wicked sense of humour. He was fascinating to talk to and generous with his time. He could converse with anyone on any subject, He loved to cook. At our away weekends Jon produced fantastic meals on his own for over 20 of us.
This is just a snapshot of a wonderful guy who left us far too soon. Jon we miss you.
Lesley Hale
A personal appreciation
Loanhead Guitar Club got to know Lesley Hale initially as a friend and singing partner of one of our members. She quickly established herself as a very accomplished guitarist and a fine singer, with her deep sultry voice. Later, we found out that Lesley had in earlier years been a mainstay in the band Bitter Withy, along with Tich Frier and Andy Ramage. Lesley also sang on volumes 4 and 10 of the acclaimed CD series, The Complete Works of Robert Burns. However, she never tried to boast of her professional success or play on it, preferring simply to play and sing as part of a group of like-minded friends. She crafted numerous fine songs in the few years we knew her, and had the knack of turning her observations into insightful, and often humourous, lyrics. On at least two occasions, I was the subject of her songs. Lesley took a keen interest in Loanhead Music Festival, and in 2007 won the Festival's songwriting competition. She also gave workshops in song writing for the Festival.
Though Lesley always seemed to live on a financial knife edge, in November 2008, out of the blue, she made a donation of £250 to the Festival, asking that it be kept anonymous. With her passing, I believe the need for anonymity has gone, and it's only right that people should be made aware of her remarkable generosity.
Lesley was never afraid to speak her mind, and you knew that what she said was what she meant. While this occasionally ruffled some feathers, her words were never spoken with malice, only with a simple (and refreshing) directness.
Lesley was well aware of the inevitable outcome of her illness, but if it scared her, she never showed it, and she was quite at ease talking about it. I'm also sure she would have scoffed if we said we'd grieve for her. However, her death is a great sadness to us all, not just for the loss of Lesley herself, but for the loss of the songs we won't hear her sing any more, and for the loss of the songs unwritten. Our comfort is that we had the privilege to know and hear Lesley for those few years.
Bruce Hogg
Though Lesley always seemed to live on a financial knife edge, in November 2008, out of the blue, she made a donation of £250 to the Festival, asking that it be kept anonymous. With her passing, I believe the need for anonymity has gone, and it's only right that people should be made aware of her remarkable generosity.
Lesley was never afraid to speak her mind, and you knew that what she said was what she meant. While this occasionally ruffled some feathers, her words were never spoken with malice, only with a simple (and refreshing) directness.
Lesley was well aware of the inevitable outcome of her illness, but if it scared her, she never showed it, and she was quite at ease talking about it. I'm also sure she would have scoffed if we said we'd grieve for her. However, her death is a great sadness to us all, not just for the loss of Lesley herself, but for the loss of the songs we won't hear her sing any more, and for the loss of the songs unwritten. Our comfort is that we had the privilege to know and hear Lesley for those few years.
Bruce Hogg
Bryan Begg
Sadly we have to report that one of the founder members of the Guitar Club and a valued friend, Bryan Begg, died on the morning of Monday the 19th of July at the Marie Curie Hospice in Frogston Road. Bryan was an ever present at sessions, a talented singer and guitarist with a huge range of songs at his fingertips. He always got great pleasure from passing on music to others and many of the songs that are still sung at sessions were introduced to us by Bryan. He was always the first to welcome newcomers to the guitar club and his presence was much missed when he moved to Peebles, where he quickly became a valuable asset to the music scene there.
It should be remembered also that Bryan was an accomplished songwriter, below is a link to one of a trio of songs he recorded with friend, excellent mandolin player and singer Craig McKinney.
It should be remembered also that Bryan was an accomplished songwriter, below is a link to one of a trio of songs he recorded with friend, excellent mandolin player and singer Craig McKinney.
| bite_the_bullet.mp3 |
The European Tour
The trip to Germany was a huge success, needless to say all concerned had a great time. Below are some photos and a few pages from the local paper. For those of you who do not have fluent German, there are a translations below, that you can download.
There is a web gallery that can be accessed via our gallery page.
Anyone who has photos, or at least publishable ones, we would be delighted to receive them.
There is a web gallery that can be accessed via our gallery page.
Anyone who has photos, or at least publishable ones, we would be delighted to receive them.
Sadly, Dave Findlay Brown (second from the left in the above left hand photo), has succumbed to cancer.
Dave was typically upbeat to the end, he never let his illness get him down or stop him pursuing his love of music. Dave went on the Germany trip in November 2011, even though he was well aware of the seriousness of his illness and contributed hugely to the music and endeared himself to everyone.
Dave was a talented musician, he played guitar and sang with well known Edinburgh band, "The Belgranos". He would often turn up in Paddy's after band practice and end up taking an impromptu workshop. In Germany he also took on bass duties (see "European Tour" photo gallery below).
Dave was quite simply a really nice guy who loved music.
Dave was typically upbeat to the end, he never let his illness get him down or stop him pursuing his love of music. Dave went on the Germany trip in November 2011, even though he was well aware of the seriousness of his illness and contributed hugely to the music and endeared himself to everyone.
Dave was a talented musician, he played guitar and sang with well known Edinburgh band, "The Belgranos". He would often turn up in Paddy's after band practice and end up taking an impromptu workshop. In Germany he also took on bass duties (see "European Tour" photo gallery below).
Dave was quite simply a really nice guy who loved music.
Guitar Club and friends at Marie Curie Hospice May 2nd 2012
Dave Findlay Brown asked for some volunteers to play a few songs during a lunchtime party at the Hospice. They are about to decamp for 5 months and asked Dave if he could round up some people to provide the entertainment. They seemed to enjoy what we did and are keen to have us back sometime.
Thanks to the staff for making us so welcome, especially the Nun who plied GW with finest malt !!
Thanks to the staff for making us so welcome, especially the Nun who plied GW with finest malt !!
Tam White
Tam White passed away on Monday 21st of June. Those of us who were privileged enough to see and hear him at the Festival Concert, will have great memories of that performance. Below is a short, but poignant clip of his final song of the evening.
3 sad golfers sing the Blues.
Guitar club friends, Ian, Ian and George bemoan the closure of their golf course due to inclement weather.
At least something good came out of it !
Songs from the Germany trip
| ill_cry_instead_mp3.mp3 |
| where_have_all_the_floiwers_gone_mp3.mp3 |
| hold_it_down_mp3.mp3 |
| galway_girl_mp3.mp3 |
| cecil_brown_mp3.mp3 |
Midlothian Twinning Festival 2009
