Patrick “magpie” Moss Passes

Patrick has been presenting regular shows on FromeFM for over ten years.

A lifelong folk music fan, Patrick’s radio show, Magpie's Folk Cafe, showcased music from folk musicians of all kinds. First airing 21 December 2014, Patrick Moss's Magpie's Folk Cafe began going out monthly, with Patrick wondering if he would have enough material even for a monthly show focused on local folk music. However from the very first show, Patrick was approached by unsigned artists and he soon realised that there was a wealth of talent in the local area. Switching to fortnightly and later weekly, the artists featured were mostly within a 30 miles radius from Frome.

Part of Patrick's motivation for the show was using community radio as a great platform for music & social justice. "Folk is what I know and can talk about" said Patrick. Folk songs tell stories and Patrick didn't just play the music but found out about the story behind the songs. Patrick proudly talked of the successes and awards that artists appearing on his show have, and of the show’s following among artists.

Patrick's friend and musician Sara Vian, said that "he got so much from focusing on the music".

You can listen to all the 300+ shows here:
‍https://www.frome.fm/programmes/magpies-folk-cafe

As well as music, Patrick was a keen football supporter and in 2020 Patrick began hosting a regular football show on FromeFM called The Robin's Nest all about football in Frome. The name comes from the club's nickname which is the Robins. With manager and player interviews, studio guests, and banter, the show had all the latest from the Robins.

When Patrick's health began to fail, he passed the baton for the show on to Ryan Atkins who has stepped up to continue the show which goes out live on the third Thursday of the month at 7pm. "Patrick is a great friend and to have the honour of being his co host is a massive achievement for me" said Ryan Atkins. "He wasnt just anyone he was one of my best friends and will be missed by so many people."

In memory of Patrick there will be a minute's silence at Badgers Hill during the match on Saturday 28th February.

Ex Chairman of FromeFM, Rupert Kirkham, said that "Patrick always had time for everyone else and produced a great show in the true spirit of community radio."

Patrick's brother, Adrian noted that "I instantly noticed Patrick's ability to make people feel they had known him for years. My love goes out to the people who truly knew him. His warmth, humor, skills of bringing people to music, and passion for nature and his narrowboat are a significant loss to the world."

Ten years ago, Patrick spent time working for Frome Town Council as Town Centre Regeneration Manager.

Patrick began his career working for Atkins, a global engineering consultancy, who as luck would have it, happened to do the first ever feasibility study for the restoration of the Montgomery Canal in mid-Wales, which Patrick had his childhood holidays next to. Patrick was a Director of Moss Naylor Young Ltd., a Town Planning, Transport Planning and Waterway Regeneration consultancy, which he set up in 2011. A chartered planner and transport planner, Patrick regularly contributed to academic discussion on the heritage and archaeology of inland waterways and highways.

Details of the funeral will be announced in due course.

‍