TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

The 2026 Carey Hancock Memorial Toast

This will be held at approx 19:30 on Saturday at the bar on the field,. There is a break in stage proceedings for 30 minutes at that point. Please start gathering by 19:15 if at all possible. Most people will be hanging around for a lot of the evening, so don't be concerned if you arrive later.

As you probably know, we collect money for the Teenage Cancer Trust at the Toast. We usually raise at least £300.

So please bring CASH - £5, £10 and £20 notes are good - no shrapnel please - to put into the collection bucket.

If you don't recognise me, I'm sure you'll recognise Wendy. See the photo attached.

The collecting bucket will be with one of us at all times.

See you there, bring CASH and horrible drinks

If you can't be there  but wish to donate anyhow, please make your donation individually online at https://donate.teenagecancertrust.org/  

From Colin (slightly amended):

Just in case anybody is wondering what 'The Toast' is.

Well it started 21 years ago, with members of TalkAwhile gathering at the bar to remember somebody we had lost that year and over the years this has become all inclusive, not only remembering people from the Cropredy family, but also those lost to individuals.

The toast is, always, 'Absent Friends'.

This year the Toast will be proposed by Adam Wallace.

This is so very important to me.

I'm brewing what I hope will be a nightmare.

My daughters partner Nathan hopes to repeat the horror he dispensed last year,

so, our family collective will bring three adults and two substances masquerading as drinks.

Haven’t brewed anything horrid this year, so have been scouring Tesco for something nasty.

Unfortunately they won’t let me try it first even though I took my own mug. I should say it has proved successfully awful in the past. 😝

I recently acquired some Captain Morgan 0% Rum which will be horrible, I have no doubt.

At least I can drink it though.

I am convinced that 50 % of the stewards at NFFF looked like you. I think we should be told . Beware of imitations. Is there any truth in the rumour that you are in the second series of Ann Droid?
Or I could have been delirious from the heat in the holding field.  ;D  ;)

Sorry folks due to my unwellness I won’t be bringing shot glasses for the first time this year…

So please will other TAWS bring them?

Thank you xxx

I stopped drinking on 5th January this year and this is my tipple of choice (it’s also Syn free on the Slimming World diet)
It’s ok. Better with cola and lots of ice

Sorry to hear you are unwell Jenny.

I will bring 60 odd shot glasses, I am sure others will bring some too, so we should be OK.

Thank you for both of these messages.

I’ve packed some shot glasses

In what way are they odd?

There's no point in continuously having a go at me here. If you want change, complain to the organisers about your experience, email Nick Curtis. nick@newforestfolkfestival.co.uk

I am not having a go, apologies if you think so. I was just trying to be mildly amusing and have obviously failed. If you want to criticise someone for having a go, there is one on here who makes fun of virtually every post I make..

If there’s anybody you want me to pay tribute to in the toast this year, please send me a message either on here or on Facebook, and I’ll make sure they are remembered.

Happily I can’t think of any TAWs that we have lost this year… but maybe others will have ideas?

Sorry for the very late reply but if possible could you mention our pal Ray Macdonnell from Dublin who was here with us several years recently, whom we lost way too early in his 50s since last year’s Cropredy.   From Mike and the Dublin Glampers.   Thanks!

Adam Wallace did a great job proposing the toast
to absent friends, including Colin's sister Gail, sadly.

Horrible drinks were brought along and we thank
their manufacturers and those who brought shot glasses.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we raised £435 for TCT.

Well done, everyone.

Excellent amount raised, well done everyone!

Well done all!

Great news!

I have today donated £435 to Teenage Cancer Trust which also qualifies for an additional £108.75 gift aid, bringing the total to £543,75.

Again, congratulations and my thanks to all.

Wow! Brilliant.
Adam was a superb and very articulate toastmaster and it was wonderful to be with so many old friends.

A few more from Angela

It was great to meet up with everybody (even if I did leave my fez at home!) and I can see a bit of the back of my head and straw hat in the first picture!)

This is just brilliant! Well done all.