United Folk

Anyone who remembers 'United Folk' may want to browse this link.

This is a music group Sheila was once a part of. Go to the 'Music' link to hear their albums.

Sheila was joint leader of the Christian folk band The United Folk, who played together for over twenty years and released three cassettes and two CD'S. The United Folk were a collection of musicians and singers from the North East region of England, all from different Christian denominations.

(At the time ecumenical relations were only just beginning, but outreach groups of this kind were unheard of).

They performed in a wide variety of settings including concert halls, shopping centres, prisons and schools. The United Folk also had a successful tour of Northern Ireland in the late 1980's

. The Best Of United Folk includes sixteen of the group's favourite tracks from the three albums. This was released in October 1999. Many of our songs not on this album,were recorded on a second United Folk CD called 'Out of the Archives' also available on this site under 'music' link.

For information about how we came together as a group, please see below.

United Folk - pictured leading worship at an event in the Newcastle Civic Centre.

United Folk - pictured in a local newspaper (in the grounds of Tynemouth Priory)

Members of the United Folk included: Ron Bedford, Hazel Bell, Ann Caton, Anthony Frederiksen, Kathryn Frederiksen, Ken Hawker, Sheila Hamil, Muriel Heslewood, Carol Hirst, Jennie Magee, Angela Maughan, Rose Reeve (nee Nixon), Gerry O'Hanlon, Avril Pease, Lynne Smith, Margaret Scott, Pete Scott, Margaret Storey, Zena Thompson.

Others to make a contribution to performances over the years are : Maggie Feeney (nee Margaret Bell) , Margi and Tony Buglass, Carol Cairns, Terry Patterson, Mary Thompson, Ken Hawker, Janet McLeod, Karin Flanaghan, Pat Craighead, Liz Johnson, Chris James, (nee Braddick), Judith Pearl

People have often wondered how we came together as a group...

It all began with a request for singers at a local park for a Pentecost Picnic in 1976. Margaret Scott and Margaret Bell from the Roman Catholic church and myself (Church of England) knew each other and agreed to rehearse and come together that day, Afterwards the three of us were invited to sing at a Salvation Army Celebration. At first we laughed and explained that we weren't from the same church, but then we thought ...why not?

The invitations kept coming, and so did people who were interested in singing with us. Next came a Methodist, then some from the Pentecostal church, and some folk from my own church at St Luke's Wallsend. Then more...a Baptist, then a highly gifted musician from Durham, Rose Nixon.

Rose could play a whole multitude of instruments, and certainly added to the quality of our music. Then a lad called Pete Scott joined us. Now you may have heard of Pete;, he's a well known singer in the North-East of England now...(Please see his website, he has written some fabulous songs, and his latest CD 'Why Sing Goodbye Songs' is excellent, and so very funny. He's a genius when it comes to writing songs.)

And so the Lord 'added to our number'. Not only were we from different denominations, we were also of different styles of churchmanship..Traditional, Charismatic, Evangelical, Liberal...and it worked beautifully. We certainly did not agree on everything, we interpreted the Bible in different ways, but we loved each other. If there was ever a disagreement we learned a lesson from it rather than split. We moved on and grew. We were family!

I wish we'd thought of the name 'DIVERSITY' first, for that's what we represented. We were all so very different, and that's the way God had made us.

We met every Wednesday evening in our front room, for twenty years, and we always had two or three bookings every month. Gifts of Dance, Drama and Song Writing and Composition, Preaching and Teaching etc were abundant, and we just loved singing together.

I led the group, until I responded to the call to priesthood in 1992, then Margaret took over the reins.

The group came to a natural end in 1995, and many of us went on to different kinds of ministry...Catechitic training, Missionary work, Priestly ministry, Church choirs, Prison ministry etc

If you would like to hear a sample of the best of our music over the years, I'm sure you'll love it. You can click onto the 'Music' link, on this site, then onto The Best of United Folk. You'll find lyrics, music scores and DVD's to download free. My solo albums are on there too.

I still get a buzz listening to all those beautiful United Folk songs, even after all these years...and we have all those lovely memories of a Golden Age in our lives and ministries, we were very privileged to have been drawn together by God in this way.

It's a time we all will never forget.

RIP

Ken Hawker departed Sunday 2nd August 2015

Ken, whose stage name was Ken Lewis; found fame through his band The Ivy League, writing and recording and performing with legends including The Who and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin.

Ken and his song writing partner John Carter founded the Flowerpot Men writing and recording the 1967 hit 'Let's go to San Francisco' which reached number four in the charts

By clicking onto the Music link on the homepage, you can hear all of United Folk songs on two CD's. the 'Best of United Folk' and the more recent 'Out of the Archives'.

Ken composed the music Jesus came alive in me,1983 ( the tune had been destined for a music festival; at Gibraltar but it got diverted to us instead.)

RIP

Rose Reeve (nee Nixon) born 14th February 1946: died Tuesday 8th March 2016

(see notes below from a tribute to Rose at her funeral)

Rose was born after the war on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent. She had a younger brother who died about 10 years ago, partly due to the family heart problems.

She became a member of the County Youth Orchestra She studied English and Music at Durham.

In 1974 she went to an international early music summer school held at Hild Bede. She has only missed one year since. She regularly played in local early music consorts (i.e. instrumental ensemble). She also sang at one time in the Northern Symphonia Chorus.

She sang and played in United Folk, an outreach group made up from people from all different denominations. Rose was part of that group for twenty years, and they performed at many venues in the North-East of England. One of the CD songs was written by Rose. It is called ‘Sing for Joy’ wonderfully encapsulating much of Rose’s later work.

Rose went on several solo backpacking holidays on continental Europe, her final one was going to the Christian Community at Taize so important for the rest of her life.

Rose met her husband Roger in 1987, on a walk near Blanchland only few miles away from where Rose is now buried.

Rose’s organ playing at St Catherine’s New Brancepeth and St Paul’s, Haswell started in the late 80’s. She was in a musical theatre group St Columba’s Players in Sunderland performing and helping with music, sometimes both. In ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ she had to have a very rapid change from being a village woman in the chorus to being the Fiddler doing his solo violin (on the top of a ladder).

1997 was the 1400th anniversary of St Columba’s death on Iona and Rose composed a musical to mark this event. Columba was performed at approximately 18 venues including Durham cathedral (twice), Iona and the Edinburgh festival.

In 2008 it was revived and extended for another run.

She composed 3 other full length musicals one of which was ‘ Crusader’ about the Ellen Wilkinson and the Jarrow crusade, performed in 2001 by St George’s players in Morpeth.

Rose led the Wayfarers singing group at All Saints church and performed many concerts over the years

She was also an artist and loved sketching, and developed an interest also in pottery.

She was passionate about, her Christian faith and justice throughout the world, and in particular in Palestine.

In 1994 Rose developed severe tinnitus (ringing in her ears) and hyperacusis (ultrasensitivity to high pitched noises) had to retire from music teaching. From then she was more driven to smaller quieter music groups.

Almost seven years ago she was diagnosed with her bone marrow cancer ‘multiple myeloma’, with a typical life expectancy at that time of 4-5 years.

New drugs were coming out, there was a lot of prayer and apart from treatment periods and for six years she had completely normal life- backpacking holidays, Christmas in Germany, musical shows and songs written, art groups often several events in one day.

Later she developed severe heart problems. She and Roger still managed short holidays. Her energy was still enormous. Slowing down a little for her meant limiting herself to just two activities a day

Rose and Roger spent Valentine’s day weekend this year in Edinburgh. It was a very special occasion- Rose’s 70th birthday. She contracted an infection the following week and went into hospital. They found her cancer was far more advanced than anyone (including Rose) realised. She died peacefully in her sleep just eight days later.

She was performing, going to classes etc to the end. She had a full March diary was gearing up for the coming production of ‘The Man on the Horse’, even during her first week in hospital.

That is how she would have liked to leave this world for the better world to come.

Rose was such a dear friend to us all in United Folk, the most talented of us all. She lived life to the full, with amazing energy, commitment, enthusiasm even in testing times of illness; and she loved us with a love that was all embracing and unconditional. We will remember her always with great affection and admiration. (Sheila)

RIP

Chris James, (1953-2012)

known to us all at first, as Chris Braddick when she joined United Folk, was born in 1953, and was only 59 when she died in 2012. She hadn't always enjoyed the best of health in her lifetime, and was so saddened by the collapse of her marriage, but she stayed strong for her only son, Paul.

Chris was a much loved sister to Avril Pease, another member of United Folk, and both wrote songs during their time in the group. When Chris joined us, she was interested in all aspects of spirituality, and passionate about social justice, and she loved to ask questions and debate issues. She also loved to sing as we witnessed all over the North-East. Her harmonies were such a delight.

Her keen social conscience gave rise to her life's work, supporting McMillan nurses, HIV and Aids patients, and making sure the homeless got the benefits they deserved. She had such compassion for all humanity across the world, and was a keen researcher of many aspects of international justice and peace, and care for the environment, She was a keen member of Amnesty International and Greenpeace.

She became the group's social conscience, and made us all far more aware of the world around us. This is reflected in the words of her songs: written under her maiden name Chris James.

When I’m alone

When I’m alone, and my thoughts are milling round,

I think of him, and the love my friends have found.

I think of peace and of wars that never end,

And of the suffering and the pain I long to end. (Ch)

How will I know

When he’s right here beside me

And his love is shining out and pouring through my soul?

How will I feel, when I can look into the faces of my loved ones

And knowingly say-that he is real?

I think of prisons, the lonely faces that look out

Into a world, full of hatred , greed and doubt.

I see the children, and their starving eyes that gaze

Back into mine, where they mirror, only pain. (Ch)

Did you hear about the Man

Did you hear about the man who died on Calvary?

Did you hear about the man who died for love of me?

He was nailed onto the tree of life for you and me.

Did you hear about the man who died on Calvary?

And the crown of thorns - it cut his head for love of me.

And he suffered hunger, thirst and pain just for me.

Then his Father took the pain, and he died and rose again,

It was Jesus Christ the man, who died on Calvary.

So let’s give our hearts to Jesus who died for us,

And let’s worship him with prayer; everyone of us.

For he gives his love to all, who are ready for his call.

So let us give our hearts to Jesus who died for us.

And she wrote this about my own home, the place where we gathered each week to rehearse:

House of Love

Here in this house of love, we sing together.

We sing of His praises,

We sing of His love,

Here in this house of love, we sing together.

Here in this house of love, we dance together.

We dance as we praise Him,

We dance to our Lord.

Here in this house of love, we dance together.

Here in this house of love, we praise together.

We praise our Lord Jesus,

We praise His holy name.

Here in this house of love, we praise together.

Praise together, praise together ( repeat and fade)

Rest in peace, our dear friend, Chris. A beautiful soul.

RIP

Pete Scott

Sadly, Pete passed away in early 2023 at the age of 74. He was a much loved and much-admired member of United Folk; such a skilful guitarist, singer and songwriter. He contributed enormously to the albums they recorded. He was also a well-known and much loved singer-songwriter from Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

He was devastated when his wife, Sue Scott, 64, writer, journalist, editor and Diocesan communications officer, died in February 2011, after losing her battle with cancer. She was also a well-known author, who wrote under the name Sue Frost.

They both leave behind daughter Amy, and son Dan.

In the 1970s, Pete released two much-loved albums: Don’t Panic and Jimmy the Moonlight. His records were played on the John Peel show and he toured extensively all around the UK, appearing with the likes of Lindisfarne and performing on the Jake Thackeray TV show.

Pete, and his good friend Ken McKenzie owned a recording studio in Newcastle, which meant he was able to record all of his songs from this era, even though at the time he had no way of releasing them. Eventually both Pete and Ken forgot all about these recordings.

Later in his career, with the arrival of the internet and developments in recording technology, Pete was able to record and release his own material without needing a record deal, allowing him to combine his unique blend of the hilarious and the heart-breaking on his albums Why Sing Goodbye Songs and Songs to Sing & Jokes to Tell.

After his death, his daughter discovered a treasure-trove of previously unreleased recordings in the loft. With the help of Ken McKenzie, these recordings are now being digitised and Pete’s family are working to make it all available to his loyal fans both locally and around the world. The project of making this music available starts with the release of the album Brand New Smile.

Brand New Smile features 11 previously unreleased songs dating from the late 1970s, as well as an early recording of Wallpaper, one of Pete’s most popular songs. Pete recorded these tracks in what Ken assures us were “coffee-fuelled” late-night recording sessions.

CDs are £10 plus P&P or you can choose to pay more if you would like to make a contribution towards this and future projects. Alternatively, if you don’t want a hard copy of the album but you would still like to help raise the money to get the music released, you can order a digital download of the album, priced at £10 with the option of paying more if you would like to.

Pete Scott may be gone but his music lives on. With your support, the discovery of these recordings means that we can keep releasing new material for a long time to come.

“Why sing goodbye songs when we could be saying hello?”

Pre-order here: https://petescott1.bandcamp.com/album/brand-new-smile

RIP

Muriel Heslewood ( 8th October 1945 - 13th March)

Today we mourned the loss of another valued and much loved member of United Folk. Her son Steven, has kindly donated his account of her life, to add to our website. Thank you Steven.

For those that do not know me, I am Steven Heslewood, Muriel's youngest child of three, with her other children being my brother Paul and my sister Emma. Before I try to do the best to condense Our mams life somehow into a short speech, I want to say a huge thank you to My aunti and our mams sister Linda, for providing me some memories from before I born. I can speak for everyone when I say it is much appreciated.

As they always say when talking about someone life, lets start at the beginning. Our mam was born 8th october 1945, to two loving parents and some very excited siblings. Our mam was a fun, carefree child, which continued into her junior years. She was pretty as a picture,bright as a button and sweet natured ,With beautiful dark hair and brown eyes. If you had the pleasure of knowing her throughout her life, she never lost any of those things.

Our mams first job after school was 3 years at Felling-sub post office, to the delight of her father William who was born and raised in Felling. Her mother Gladys Ann, would encourage all of her children to learn a wide range of domestic skills. This is why Muriel throughout her life, had a keen interest in baking and was a fantastic host, always making sure people in her life had a full belly and a drink in their hand. This is an appropriate time for me to say, that my mams corned beef and potato pasties will always be my favourite meal.

Some of our mam's other jobs, was working as an accountant, and multiple places as a head waitress, including several years at Newcastle United football stadium, St James park. She was always honoured to work in such an iconic venue, and would tell stories such as, making Alan Shearer scrambled eggs, bobby Robson being a total gentlemen, and Craig Bellamy, not so much.

Muriel learned through these experiences to appreciate living life to the fullest. She was also a fantastic arguer, which was useful because she never lost one. In her teenage years she developed her love of fashion and her love of music. Two things that were incredibly important to her. This continued as a young adult in the 60's and 70's and throughout her life. She loved being part of the group United Folk and singing in choirs ,singing hymms as loud as she could, with the same spirit and determination that she used in all aspects of her life.

Muriel was not one to lose her temper. However, Auntie Linda told me of one exception during her young days. Muriel asked her younger sister Linda to dye her favourite dress: a Mary Quant black and white mini dress. Mini being the operative word, because after Linda put the dress in the wash after dying it black, it had turned unfortunately into a unwearable doll sized frock. It took an intervention from their mam to get the sisters to talk again, and mam's faith to remind her to forgive people that have sinned.

If you said to me, what are two things that our mam loved more than anything. I think everyone would agree, that it was her faith and her children. Muriel had a strong faith throughout her life, especially at Allen Memorial church in Wallsend. Whether it be running the children's play days or helping out at Sunday school or Sunday service, This give her the determination and strength to succeed in any challenges that came her way. She had strong faith in being their for her loved ones, helping her siblings through the difficulties of life, and being there for not only her children, but anyone who needed it. She also loved being there for her friends, from her best friend Maureen, to the girls from the top club, fellow church goers or members of Parkinson UK.

In terms of her children, I think I can speak for all of us when I say, she wanted us to be happy, and would encourage us to do whatever helped us reach that goal. She was the person you wanted to take care of you, I enjoyed personally all the times I got to stay of school unwell, because I knew she would find a way to make me feel that little bit better. It has been a huge honour to our family, to hear all the similar stories of her doing this for others. It is a very good summary of one of Muriel's strengths. She always made you feel that little better. Nothing made her happier than to see others smile.

So how do you some up our mams attributes? All 78 years? I could be here for a long time telling you all of her gifts as a person. But if you asked me what is one example that sums up our mam better than anything, I would say its her bravery dealing with her Parkinson's disease for 20 years. I would like to share two quick stories that illustrates this. One of my favourite memories, is one day our mam was helping organise a game day for Parkinson UK, a charity she loved being a part of. Mam comes home, and she is laughing literally as soon as she gets through the door. She sits me down to tell me what made her laugh. You see, mam had a fantastic sense of humour. She says, Steven, people kindly donated some games for us to play, and I couldn't stop laughing because, someone donated the game, where you have to hold a thing in your hand and try to not buzz the wire, it is so inappropriate! cos what do some people with Parkinson have, their body or their hands shake! If I tried it I'd be buzzing the wire all the time! They clearly didn't think that through'. That was the hardest and longest I had ever seen Mam laugh. The other quick story was really recent. My partner Natalie and I went to visit mam in Charlton Court and mam got put in her chair to go for lunch. The carer went away for abit and came back and said 'Right Muriel, I am gonna take you to lunch now' and my mam said, not missing a beat, 'About time'. This reminds us of two things about Muriel, never make her wait for a meal and two, her sense of humour was with her till the end.

To end on, I want to acknowledge that today is sad, and that's allowed. Mam will be missed. When a person is no longer with us, it makes you think of what legacy they leave behind. The greatest compliment I can give her, is her kindness, her endless compassion, will continue in all of us, in her children and her grandchildren. What I am most proud of, is when my daughter Luna was born 5 years ago, mam got to hold her, and she got to know, that all her kids had kids of their own. I will never forget that, that mam knows, we are all going to be ok. That is her legacy.

There's a quote I really like to end on.

'Looks might fade, hands might shake, but if your a good human being, that lasts forever'.

So thank you mam for your legacy, and I hope you enjoy being with all your family and friends that are waiting for you in heaven. Rest easy, knowing, that we will be ok and you legacy lives on.

We love you forever and God bless.

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