The Isle of Wight folk music community has lost two much-loved performers this month.

Maureen Shaw

Maureen had many talents. She wrote and performed poetry, especially traditional Irish poetry. Her style was lively and engaging. She loved dancing, performing her Sailor’s Hornpipe before large audiences at the close of each Yarmouth Sea Songs and Shanties Festival. She enjoyed singing with Shalfleet Shanty Singers. Maureen, with her husband Malcolm, regularly supported several folk nights, folk clubs and numerous other events. She was always quick to welcome newcomers and make them feel at home. Her kind encouragement of performers was appreciated by so many.

Maureen’ s happy smile will be so sadly missed. Our deepest condolences go to Malcolm and to all her family.

David A. Ballard

David sadly lost his battle with Parkinson’s this week. He was a keen performer and writer, as recently as the end of June he took part in a show at Quay Arts. David wrote some lovely gentle, thoughtful, introspective songs. He also wrote many funny and down-to earth songs and poems for children. Excerpts from his book ‘ Grandma’s Roller Skates and Other Silly Poems’ always went down very well with children of all ages at folk gatherings!

It is so sad to think that such a talent is now lost. Again, deepest condolences to Hazel and to all David’s family.