Sandra Kerr, a folk singer, songwriter and broadcaster, died of leukaemia. She was born on 14 February 1942 and passed away on 29 October 2026 at age 84.
Kerr grew up in the East End of London and was introduced to folk music as a teenager at the Singers’ Club in Soho Square, where she studied under Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger. She married John Faulkner in 1964, and the couple became known for their collaborative work in folk music and children’s media. During the 1960s, they sang and recorded albums together, establishing themselves as performers within the British folk scene.
Kerr and Faulkner achieved particular recognition for creating music for the 1974 children’s television series Bagpuss, following their earlier work on the schools series Sam on Boffs’ Island in 1972. Though only 13 episodes of Bagpuss aired, the series achieved lasting cultural impact and was voted the best-loved children’s programme of all time in 1999. This recognition prompted new recordings of the series’ songs and led to concert performances featuring Kerr, Faulkner, their daughter Nancy Kerr, and son-in-law James Fagan.
After relocating to Northumberland in 1988, Kerr became deeply involved in folk music education and community work. She joined the lecturing team at Newcastle University’s folk and traditional music degree programme in 2001 and developed the module Traditions of These Islands before retiring in 2017. Kerr was also active in feminist music circles and co-founded or participated in several musical collectives, including Sisters Unlimited and Werca’s Folk. She led folk choir workshops at the Sidmouth folk festival from 1996 to 2024.
Kerr was survived by her partner David Malone, her daughter Nancy, and two grandsons.
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