Martin McGuffie

Yesterday Clive Pownceby from the Bothy and I had the sad task of attending the funeral of Martin McGuffie, a local singer songwriter, who had died aged 40 (I'd thought he was even younger than that) of a brain tumour.  I had met him at open mike nights and similar events in Southport and had always liked his music; he was a close friend of Rich Simcock who runs the Place To Be acoustic nights in the Mount Pleasant.  It was at November's Place To Be that I last saw Martin; at first I didn't recognise him, owing to weight gain and hair loss caused by his treatment.

Southport Crematorium was full with his family and friends, quite a few from different strands of the local music scene.  At the end of the committal, one of Martin's songs was played, and was followed by a spontaneous round of applause.  Afterwards everyone went to the Mount Pleasant where friends of Martin paid tribute by playing heartfelt versions of his songs to a very full pub that went quiet for their singing - a suitable mark of respect for his talent.

You can hear some of his songs - click here, then click on 'music - it's well worth your time.