Singer Fred Wedlock dies, aged 67

The Bristol entertainment scene is mourning the passing of Fred Wedlock – The Oldest Swinger In Town – who has passed away at the age of 67.

A prolific songwriter, Mr Wedlock had been a familiar name on the Bristol scene for more than 40 years – producing a raft of popular comedy folk ballads, as well as fronting television and radio programmes.

He leaves behind Sue, his wife of more than 40 years, and his two daughters, Hannah, who is herself a singer with the Blue Notes Jazz Band, and TV producer Lucy.

The family were inundated today with calls of consolation at their home in the village of Timsbury, where the singer was a well-loved character.

"It's a very sad day for our family," Hannah said. "My father had been ill for a few weeks, and was being treated for pneumonia at the RUH in Bath. But at six o'clock on Thursday morning he suffered a cardiac arrest. It was very quick and peaceful.

"Though we have not yet made any firm funeral arrangements, my mother would like to have the funeral at St Mary Redcliffe church, which is where they were married, and where my father had been the head chorister when he was a child growing up in Bristol."

His family ran a Redcliffe pub, and with typical humour he later recalled his earliest memory was hearing the Luftwaffe's bombers "redesigning the centre of Bristol".

Mr Wedlock came from a long line of local Bristol celebrities. His father and uncle both played for Bristol City, and his grandfather, the famous Billy "Fatty" Wedlock, captained the England team in the years before World War I – the Wedlock Stand at Ashton Gate is named in his honour.

Mr Wedlock was a lifelong Bristol City fan, and was devoted to the city of his birth – priding himself on his love of the local dialect.

After an early career as a school teacher in the tough schools of the East End of London, Mr Wedlock went on to teach at South Bristol Technical College, before making his name as a folk singer in the 1970s.

During the course of his long career, Mr Wedlock recorded more than 20 albums of his trademark humorous folk music – with his most famous song, "The Oldest Swinger In Town", reaching number six in the charts in 1981.

Derek Cleverdon, chairman of the Variety Club Children's Charity South West, said Fred was also devoted to charitable causes.

"He performed on numerous occasions for the Variety Club, and raised thousands of pounds for us over the years," he said.

"He was a wonderful man, and this is a very sad day for everyone who knew him."

Local jazz musician Cass Caswell also paid tribute to Mr Wedlock.

"It was with great sadness that I heard our very special friend Fred passed away in hospital," he said.

"Fred had been a nationally known figure ever since his brilliant hit "The Oldest Swinger In Town" and he had become a great friend and asset to the Variety Club and had cheered up many of our events by performing his entertaining and very funny songs."

To pay your tribute to Fred Wedlock go to Lasting Tribute