FOLKIES PAY TRIBUTE TO BRISTOL'S FRED

Around 100 people gathered at Bristol's M Shed for the launch of a biography of popular Bristol entertainer Fred Wedlock.

Stories and music associated with Fred were showcased and the book Fred Wedlock Funnyman of Folk went on sale for the first time. It has been written by local author John Hudson and published by Bristol Books and outlines Fred's rise to fame through the folk clubs of Bristol and his career as a local television presenter.

A line-up of musicians paid tribute playing a mixture of songs that Fred wrote or sang and some other standards. Highlights included Fred's daughter Hannah Wedlock accompanied by Patrick Small formerly of the Pigsty Hill Light Orchestra, singing jazz standards.

Comedy folk band The Willbees played some of Fred's self-penned songs and Aj Webber, who played at the Bristol Troubadour Club in the 1960s with Fred Wedlock and appeared on the first series of the Old Grey Whistle Test told stories about her lifelong association with  him and played a number of songs, including Fred's Song, which she wrote for his funeral .

A small exhibition to accompany the book is to go on display at M Shed. The book can be purchased at the M Shed shop and in independent outlets around Bristol or online at www.bristolbooks.org.