Terry Haines

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Terry Haines, a long time performer here with the Prince Albert Carol Consort.
We pay tribute  to Terry Haines, a former mayor and Sheriff of Gloucester, who passed away suddenly on December the 22nd, after singing his heart out, maybe literally, at the last sing before Christmas hear at the Albert.. Terry was working with Fran Wade to try to take the PACC to Gloucester Cathedral, and was very dissapointed, as we all were, when the invite did not come. Personally - I hope that that we can maybe have a rogue trip to the Cathedral for an outburst of our of his favourite tunes at some point. Thank you Terry for your enthusiasm and voice…. “- Lotte Lyster, The Prince Albert

”Terry has been a stalwart of the Prince Albert Carol Consort for its entire lifespan. He was last singing in the Albert on 21st December, went outside with everyone else for the group photo, went off to a dance that afternoon, the next day went to his beloved Athletics Club to organise the races for the day, and died doing just that. Terry was a staunch supporter of traditional music as a participant, observer, organiser and advocate. He was the driving force behind our attempt to take the Albert Carols to sing in the Cathedral. As Mayor of Gloucester, and staunch churchman, he had a lifetime of association with the Cathedral and wanted to hear them sung in that glorious space. In his words ‘As a regular Church goer I go to many, many carol services, but for me the singing in the Albert is the best and most joyous. It is the bright spot in the whole of Christmas’. I went with him to plead our case but the Cathedral authorities felt that our unusual carols were – well too unusual – and Terry was very cross – he felt our treatment was ‘shoddy’. ‘Do you know Fran, one year when I was mayor, I had to sit through 22 carol services in the Cathedral – 22!’ He was still talking about it the last time I saw him. He was man of many many facets – as Pete recounts below.” - Fran Wade (for PACC)

”When I was about 17, I went on my own to the Victory Folk Club in Imperial Square Cheltenham. It was a quite adventurous trip for me, I was in new territory. Well the club started with singing and then Terry Haines arrived, (he was always late), he was very striking athletic looking with a crew-cut hair style. Dave Stevens the compare was joshing with Terry who had just run from Gloucester to Cheltenham to sing at the club and then ran back. I was very impressed. I remember it so well because I won an LP in the raffle, The Ballad of John Axon by Ewan MacColl and Charles Parker. This was my introduction to folk music. I later got to know Terry, through folk music. He would sing at folk clubs, and he followed Old Spot Morris when we danced. Terry was a dedicated runner and trained every day, being proud of running on 1000 consecutive days. When he was Mayor of Gloucester I was project Architect at the City Council, we had a friendly professional relationship. Recently I related this story back to Terry about him running from Gloucester to Cheltenham and back. He denied that he ever did it, but I know better…... I was there, about sixty years ago.” - Pete Hayes (PACC, Old Spot Morris, Project Architect)

”Terry was a staunch supporter of all things Gloucester, and ran Gloucester Athletic Club, and later Severn Athletic Club for several years. It was typical that he was marking out the route of the Christmas Day road race at Elmore when he died suddenly. Terry was very involved in local politics and served as Mayor of Gloucester twice. He always enjoyed the pomp and ceremony and was proud to wear his mayor's medal subsequently on civic occasions. He was a fellow of the University of Gloucestershire and a Trustee of Gloucestershire Charities Trust. Terry was a born organiser and put such energy into everything he did. He loved folk music and dancing, and for several years he organised the wonderful Easter Monday Randwick ceilidh, where the musicians would just turn up, entry was free, with a collection made for Cancer Research. He raised £3000 in this way. He was also involved in the Cajun music scene locally, and organised dances at Longlevens village Hall several times a year. I don't know how he did it, but he seemed able to persuade top bands from all over the country to come and play for just the door money!  Terry was a good man and a loyal friend and we are lucky to have had him in our lives…” - Jackie Smith (a lifelong friend)