Of course, everyone has their own story about how and when they met Maria (plus other tales!) which many of those gathered at her SING FOR MARIA memorial day, organised by Carole Etherton and Andrew McKay back in June 2012, were happy to relate. It was also noticeable how many other well regarded individuals in the folk world sent their apologies for absence with words of fond memories and their regards to her family at that very difficult time. We will show those from the Mudcat community separately.
Steve and Diane Nevill (who built this site) first met Maria when she joined the Mad Jacks Morris side based in Hastings in about 1981/82. Steve was the sides musician at the time and Maria would ask him to accompany her when she occasionally danced a solo Morris jig. She loved the dancing - but always was an accomplished traditional singer when the opportunity arose. It was much later when she started to write her own songs with encouragement from the likes of George Wagstaff and others in the folk community.
Maria was always a great supporter of Steve over the years and we were included when celebrations were planned. One of the 'miscellaneous' tracks was one of the last 'hitherto' unknown songs we have. She sang it at Steve's spotlight evening in July 2011 at the Lewes Saturday Folk Club. We aren't sure of the title but refer to it as 'The Devil in Sussex'. Luckily, we were doing our own recording of the event.
(We call these our 'Warts & All recording' - with good reason, as you will hear!)
Mad Jack's Morris, Hastings - Jack in the Green
1st May 1983 - The First Revival Year
Ann Hilton was a friend of Maria for many years and enjoyed meeting up with her for the odd Saturday in Lewes (while Adrian enjoyed one of the instumental workshops organised by the Lewes Saturday Folk Club) or at various festivals and bookings whenever possible. Hence the photo's included in the site, especially of Maria herself. Ann speaks of missing their friendship, as she expects many of us do.
Carole Etherton first met Maria in a Sussex folk club, and they soon became friends. Carole writes:
Maria’s powerful voice and intriguing songs soon got us talking. It wasn’t long before we realised that we shared a love of traditional song and folklore, especially that of Sussex, and an irreverent sense of fun and quirky humour. What a basis for a firm friendship and a series of adventures and escapades in the following years.
So many memories – where to start? Afternoons in Sussex exploring “Mad Jack’s Follies”, and a visit to the Broadstair's windmill, where Maria challenged me to write a song, the list is endless. When Maria wanted to write about bell-ringing, she took up the art herself, and as I was also a keen ringer, we rang together at Towersey church during the festival.
I remember great times from our trip to Ireland, where we sang at Ennis festival, explored ruins – where a “ghost” threw a book at us – watched dolphins in Dingle Bay and giggled like a pair of schoolgirls at every inappropriate moment.
After I moved to South Wales with Andrew, Maria came to stay with us on Gower, not long before she was diagnosed with what would prove to be her final condition. She certainly didn’t seem ill then, which made the shock even greater. She delighted in the myths and legends, the standing stones and ancient woodlands of Gower, just as we had enjoyed the heritage of Sussex.
One lasting memory is of a visit to Pontardawe folk club, where she sang her latest song, “Macsen’s Dream”, based on a tale from the Welsh mythic collection the “Mabinogion”. The listeners were spellbound, and Maria herself was so pleased to have been able to sing the song for a Welsh audience.
Whether it be with a pint of Harvey’s Old or a glass of sloe gin – here’s a toast to Maria for all those memories, our friendship and her legacy of songs.
Maria Gower 2008 - Cefyn Bryn at Arthur's Stone
Maria Gower 2008 - with Andrew McKay at the
Giant's Grave, Parc le Breos