Overview
28 August 2025 — The MMDI Team is saddened to share this message from Janet Hale.
Dear friends, my lovely husband died peacefully and pain free earlier this afternoon, while I was talking to him and holding his hand. Some of you know that he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in October 2023, to some of you this will be news. He never complained, just got on with living life to the full for the time we had together.
I love him beyond measure.
I will publish funeral arrangements in due course.
Please let friends know.
Derek developed a love of singing from his early experiences in his school choir. Later while working as an Ordnance Surveyor he also worked as a part-time youth club leader, singing mostly contemporary folk songs with the young people. This experience developed his interest in folk song and eventually led to a new career in teaching.
Early in the millennium Derek also joined forces with Geoff Higginbottom and Keith Kendrick to form the group ‘Three Sheets to the Wind’ specialising (obviously!) in maritime material. Although they can’t perform together as often as they’d like due to their other commitments in the music scene, they can be seen from time to time at various clubs and festivals throughout the country. They have released a CD “All ‘Tide’ Up” (pun intended!) which has been a hit among shanty aficionados.
4 March 2023 — Deal Folk Club
Thanks to all who came to our Singers Night last Thursday – a terrific night of live music. Next meeting is Thursday 16th March with Derek Gifford as our guest. Derek comes from Lancashire, plays guitar and bode psaltery and is well known in maritime circles, but also as a singer song-writer, known for the classic “When All Men Sing”.