Remembering Those we Have Lost

Over the years, Mariners Away has also known loss along the way.

In January 2019, we said farewell to a great shipmate, Peter Ritchie, a former Commander RN, who passed away after a long and bravely fought battle with cancer.

The following year brought further sadness with the loss of founding member Dave Denford in May 2020. Known to many as the “Singing Blacksmith” and husband to Shirley (our original Roger the Cabin Boy), Dave’s presence and character remain very much part of Mariners Away’s story while Shirley still regularly attends Mariners’ gigs and events and is always very welcome.

Despite an incredibly positive and resolute outlook following a grim diagnosis, the redoubtable Lew Bean also lost his own courageous seven-month battle with cancer in June 2022. We are deeply touched that Lew’s wife, Celia, continues to support the occasional Mariners Away performance, and it is always a pleasure to see her among us.

We were shaken by the sudden and entirely unexpected passing of Danny Reddington on 5th August 2025. Danny, who had only just turned 40, was Mariners Away’s youngest member in all aspects. He had only joined the crew in June 2024 after following us for a number of years and made his debut at that same year’s Falmouth International Shanty Festival, quickly becoming a valued and much-loved member of the Mariners’ family.

More recently, our dear friend Glenn Bearne, passed away on 16th March 2026. Glenn joined Mariners’ in the autumn of 2021 and was a treasured member of the crew. He would have celebrated his 75th birthday just three weeks after his passing. He was not just part of the group, he was a key member at the heart of it – bringing real commitment, warmth and a genuine love of our music to every practice night and performance. His presence and wicked, dry humour, both on and off the stage touched every single one of us and will be deeply missed by all.