From: SEFAN [admin_at_sefan_dot_org_dot_uk]
Sent: 12 November 2007 12:24
Subject: Re:SEFAN:2007-11-10:01 Death of Jack Hamilton 09-11-07


Begin forwarded message:

From: "Jo Tuffs" <jo_at_broadstairsfolkweek_dot_org_dot_uk>
Date: 12 November 2007 11:23:17 GMT
Subject: Jack Hamilton and subs

Please find attached our press release about Jack – the funeral is  

Friday 16 November at 14:30 at West Peckham village church – no flowers – just donations to church.

Jo Tuffs

Director

Broadstairs Folk Week


12 November 2007
Press Release
Founder of Broadstairs Folk Week passes away.
Jack Hamilton, the man who founded one of the most successful festivals in England has passed away aged 88 at his home in West Peckham. He had been ill for some time and died on Friday 9 November.
It was his vision and conviction that the beautiful seaside town of Broadstairs would be the perfect setting for a Folk festival that led to the first Broadstairs Folk Week in 1965.
Jack Hamilton was a dancer, an expert in English folk tradition and passionate about the music. His talents included calling for dances; playing the double bass as well as Morris dancing and being a skilled Social dancer. One of his party pieces was entertaining with a Jig doll.
He played with bands the Southerners and the Rigadoons in the sixties and seventies and was involved with the English Folk Dance and Song Society in keeping alive the folk tradition and was awarded the Gold Badge by the society in recognition of his achievements. He also published books on steps and techniques.
There are many people in the town and beyond with very happy memories of the early Folk Shows in Pierremont Park which showcased English traditional dance and troupes from around the world.
A succession of local people helped Jack to organise the festival and eventually a committee emerged, with the structure that is in place today. Jack loved Broadstairs and it was his second home and even after he was no longer directly involved in the organising, he would visit to enjoy the atmosphere.
He may not have approved of all the changes to the festival over the years, especially the focus on amplified music concerts but he understood the need for Folk Week to broaden its programme in order to survive.
One of the best-loved elements of Broadstairs Folk Week is the Torchlight procession through the streets which Jack used to lead wearing his trade mark Top Hat and carrying a ‘wand’ ( a stick).
He returned to do this in 2005, the festival’s 40th anniversary and led the procession in his wheelchair followed by a giant effigy of himself dressed in top hat and wearing a ‘tatters’ coat made of photographs of the 40 years of the festival.
Broadstairs Folk Week director Jo Tuffs said, ‘Jack was loved and respected by everyone who worked with him and the town of Broadstairs has an awful lot to thank him for. We will all miss him very much.”
Jack leaves Tricia Hamilton, his wife and son Roy and daughter Jane.
Ends
Press Contacts  - Jo Tuffs or Kim Headley – 01843 604080
Broadstairs Folk Week takes place from 8 – 16 August 2008.

------------------------------------------------------
Penny Allen  -    General Manager
Anthony John Allen - Chair of the board


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