I hope that you are both keeping well. Now to relate rather a saga! Many of us in the jazz "fraternity' - musicians and fans - have felt that for a long time that Fred should have some recognition for the marvellous (and unpaid) service that he supplies to us all via his 'jazz northwest' web-site, and that an award from the 'Honours list' would be appropriate.

In March 2020, I sent a nomination to the Honours & Appointments Secretariat, accompanied by a petition containing 218 signatures acknowledging your major contribution to 'the promotion of Traditional Jazz in the Northwest and beyond for over 30 years.'

In September 2021 (!) I received an e-mail from them requesting that I fill in a nomination form and enclose 2 letters of endorsement, which I did, the letters being from 2 Northwest musicians.

Over the last 4 years I have communicated with the 'Honours etc' department via 10 e-mails & 3 letters, all responded to promptly, telling me that 'the nomination for Mr. F. Burnett is still under consideration', and that it had even progressed to the Department of Culture, Media & Sport (!) for further consideration. My final inquiring e-mail to them was on the 1st May, and the same day I had a response telling me that 'unfortunately the nomination had been unsuccessful' with polite, sympathetic apologies and platitudes.

I am so sorry that the nomination of Fred for an award has ended like this after all this time. The consolation is that the hundreds, maybe thousands of people who really know you and what you do for jazz, DO appreciate your contribution to Traditional jazz in the Northwest and beyond.

In November 2022, Barbara and I were sat with you both at the wake' following Brian Legan's funeral at Southport. While Fred was at the bar, Barbara told us of you both visiting Rochdale Jazz Club, and when Fred was at the bar, a lady approached Barbara to ask if she knew Fred Burnett, as she was asking people to sign a petition to nominate Fred for an award ! Fred appeared and Barbara introduced him to the lady, who was understandably gob- smacked. I obviously didn't reveal to Barbara that I had already submitted a similar petition. I was rather pleased to hear that someone else was of a similar mind and adding weight to my nomination.

So I think that is an apt example of the wide respect which is accorded to Fred, and an appreciation of his work for jazz. And to me, that is more important than any 'establishment' award. Thank you, Fred and Barbara, for all your time and efforts on behalf of our jazz fraternity.

Warm regards,

Terry Birkinhead.

10.5.24

Many thanks Terry, and I too am gob-smacked to get your lovely letter, thank you and to all the other people who signed your nomination. Talking of being gob-smacked, I was once nominated for the next best thing - The iPM New Year's Honours, run by BBC Radio 4.  It was a somewhat alternative take on the system of Honours, and a lady came up from London to interview me, it can be heard on the site here. Unfortunately I didn't get an award then either, I lost out to a lady who gave  cosmetic advice for transvestites.

Fred