Things have been very quiet in the Serenaders’ camp over the last few months. Partly it has been the weather, but mainly it has been the fact that one of our merry band, banjoist extraordinaire and man of French letters, Richard Sombre, has been laid low by – let us not beat about the bush – cancer. With his indomitable spirit and humour in the face of the worst kind of news he continues to be an inspiration to us all.

While he might not be with us in person when we regroup for a busk as the weather gets warmer and drier (hope springs eternal), he will definitely be there in our hearts… And, we trust, rooting for us from his comfy chair.