(By Roly Veitch)
Last night, at Blaydon Jazz Club I received
the sad news that Pauline had passed away.
Such a shock.
To those who didn’t know her, I’ll explain.
I knew Pauline from schooldays - we were in
the same year. In 1984 I met her in Blaydon and she told me she had taken on
the Black Bull which had become very run down. She wanted to put it at the
heart of the community with live music (folk, jazz, etc.), a quiz night, a host
of community driven activities. That’s exactly what she did and within two or
three years she was getting CAMRA awards.
She asked if I could start the jazz
residency and soon the club was thriving with a regularly packed room at weekly
sessions, many guest players and really wonderful times.
Eventually she retired to France with
husband Jeff but she always kept in touch and came to gigs when she was over
here.
Just over ten years ago her younger brother
Carl with wife Jackie, took on the pub and are keeping her legacy going with
the exact same philosophy. In other words it’s not about money – it’s about
community, friendship, live music, an oasis of peace in a troubled world.
Pauline was such a kind, generous person.
Lots of Blaydon folk knew and loved her.
The music last night was dedicated to her
memory and Alice Grace sang such a very moving version of God Bless the Child especially for her.
RIP Pauline.
Roly.
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