It is with great sadness we report the passing of our founder father, Mike Parsey. He not only set up the Group, but oversaw all of the Group's business dealings, including the 2 successful lottery bids to HLF which facilitated the website and various events run by the Group.

Born in Wharfedale, Mike retired from a highly successful business career and moved to Arbroath. Tired of being told by the Scots that his beloved Yorkshire had no indigenous songs, he returned south to Yorkshire to investigate the largest folksong collection, made by the Hudlestons. A chance encounter at Sheffield University with Steve Gardham, a folk song collector and friend of the Hudlestons, was the beginning of The Yorkshire Garland Group. They soon gathered a team of fellow enthusiasts and performers from around the county and applied for status as a not-for-profit group. After several years travelling between Arbroath and Yorkshire for meetings, Mike being considerably older than most of the rest of us, decided to pass on his admirable work to others closer to the heart of Yorkshire. He was soon sorely missed and the Group lost its inspiration and impetus, but the website went from strength to strength.

Mike enjoyed his retirement, walking in the Dales and in Scotland with his partner Julie and their own children and grandchildren. Almost to the last he kept himself active.

Our deepest condolences go out to both Mike's families. This website has been archived by the British Library Archive Consortium and so hopefully will be one of Mike's everlasting legacies.