Terry Holland: update

Ron Stevens of the Heart of England Bluegrass Venue sends the following news:

Terry Holland passed away in the early hours of Christmas morning, after recently being diagnosed with lung cancer. Terry is being cremated on Wednesday [3 January]. No-one is to attend, as this is a private ceremony.

The family are setting up a 'Donate in memory' page on the Cancer Research page. You can display a message about the person you are remembering, add a photo, then people can donate to the charity - they will have sorted this page out by Friday and will let us have the web address then.

On Friday 5 January 2007 there is to be a musical celebration of Terry's life, taking place at Carreg Cennen Castle, Trapp, Carms., Wales SA19 6UA. Everyone is welcome. If you wish to attend this celebration and you are travelling a long distance, Janet has said she is happy to have people stay at the house, provided they are prepared to not necessarily get a bed... so you'll need to bring sleeping bags. With that in mind, breakfast will be provided but we need some idea of numbers. Would you please e-mail Sherryl Payne to let her know if you will be staying, just to get an idea of quantities.

At 2 p.m. on Friday anyone is welcome to pay tribute to Terry; this could be verbal or musical. If you would like to take part in this tribute, please contact Ian & Hayley on 01239 891 536 or by e-mail. From 2.30 p.m. there will be refreshments, a bar, and a chance to play all the tunes that Terry loved. Feel free to bring your instruments.

If you would like to send any words/wishes (perhaps you can't make it) please forward them to Ian (e-mail above). If you haven't already got it, Janet's address is The New Inn, Gwynfe, Nr Llangadog, Wales SA19 9NS.

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28 December 2006

Dave Bresnen, chairman of the BBMA, sends the sad news that one of the central figures of the UK bluegrass scene, Terry Holland, banjo picker and organiser of the annual Tel-Fest, died in hospital early on the morning of Christmas Day.

Terry's marriage to Janet Churchill featured on the cover of British Bluegrass News #37 (spring 2006) with a two-page article by Gill Harrison, 'Bluegrass wedding of the year'. Many over here will remember Terry, Janet (rhythm guitar), and the twins Beth (bass) and Lucy (mandolin) at the earliest Dunmore East festivals as well as many less formal settings around Ireland. Terry also established a website which remains a rich source of instrument history and information.