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Text Box: Those of you who have visited our site before will probably know of the recent sad passing of Mark Longster on December 5th 2009. Although Mark had been ill for some time he didn't let it interfere too much with the two loves of his life, outside his family, i.e. fishing and music. In all the time that I knew Mark, I never once heard him complain about his illness or the pain he was experiencing. If you asked him how he was feeling, invariably he would shrug his shoulders and say so so. I shall dearly miss all the good times and laughs I shared with him in the three years we performed together on the festival circuit. In particular I shall miss his inherent good humour and that lovely deep warm singing voice the man was blessed with. I have been asked a number of times what happened to Brian Firth. Brian left Copper Kettle in 2007, to care for his wife Gwen who was ill and who required constant care. Sadly she also passed away in 2009, in May of that year. Brian has indicated that at some time in the future he may come back to Copper Kettle, but at the moment he feels he is not ready to do so. As far as his health is concerned, Brian is following a strict regime and seems to be thriving on it. At the time of Mark's death he and I were recording a new album entitled 'Aspects of the Sea and Shore'   We had recorded five tracks with Mark on lead vocal. Brian has indicated he will finish the album with me which we hope to complete sometime this year. In the meantime, at least for this year I shall be performing in a solo capacity, with some newly written songs as well as some of the old favourites.                                                     Michael Forsyth   Text Box:  Mark on stage at Alcester Winter Festival February 2009