SMART 20 Coffee meet 5th June 2015 Report.

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SMART 20 REPORT. Another great get together. Andre Martin popped in early, just to let us know he’s still got problems with telephone and internet connection but hopefully back on line next week. Among the newbies this time were Linda Day, Sylvia Sinden, Ted Adams, Rowena Wood, John Wilde, Mick Bolton, John Petri and Janaln Stoggell. Pete Horton had with him some interesting gig lists from the bands he was involved in, including a drawing of the Voodoos from 1964. Mick O’Dowd had a copy of the early Cymande CD to show Tony Qunta as he was in Cymande 2.  John Wilde did not disappoint and had the bag of sherbert lemons for Mick.  Very lively afternoon and among the conversations, Mick Mepham was talking about working on a new acoustic album, Expandis are going to play The Big Green Cardigan Festival in September, lots of Stallion chat and possibility of a gig in the future. The success of Hastings Rock Fest and the Scalliwags reunion which looks like happening again next year.  Calvert Youth Club, The Deep Purple, gigs in village halls,  what’s happening with The Beach Concert, Phil Gill’s interview, The Happening Club Kings Road, The Round Table youth club and more old photos needed. Factory’s upcoming gig,  Performance and Lysander,  Mott The Hoople, how gigs used to finish early,  Spyke, cleaning vinyl,  how come De La Warr Pavilion are getting all the big names and not The White Rock Theatre, Bruce Springsteen, Mullett Smith & Leisure Music, who’s going to open the new pier, The Flirts, Paul Wiseman, Roger Waters new The Wall film,  The Town Council, 58 Club/Pebbles Winchelsea beach,  King Rod, Cobweb and TheWitchdoctor. The Who, Jimi Hendrix,  The Pam Dor and anyone remember seeing Bob Marley and Paul Simon play Bexhill. This is just a small part of what I can remember and please free free to add anything intersting I missed. A big Thank you for the continuing support.

John Wilde… Thank you Alan it was my absolute pleasure and delight. Sad I had to leave early. There were many more peeps I wanted to meet. I got the buzz!

Eric Harmer… Sorry I couldn’t make it Alan. Will be there next time mate

Linda Day… we both enjoy it alan thank you very nice friendly people x

Philip John… Well, bit of a party atmosphere this afternoon, for a moment I thought I’d blundered into a wedding reception. Chatted to Mick Bolton the excellent vocalist & keyboard player who i knew from way back in the Mott The Hoople days,if you’re quick you can catch him & his band at the Jenny Lind tonight. I was then pounced on by an attractive blonde lady from Texas who’d mistaken me for Barry Taylor a couple of weeks ago @ The White Rock. She was full of apologies for the mix up and I spent a good hour discussing the plus & minus of living in Texas, US gun laws and music life in Hastings with her and her Scottish husband with the occasional comments from a big fellah named Tony who greatly resembled Jeff Bridges in ‘Crazy Heart’ and was steadily making inroads into his bottle of white wine. Exchanged a few words with Phil Gill , seems he’s following some of the stories on my Mott Road crew Live page on Facebook, should be posting the last pages of my tour diary tonight Phil.Then finally on the way out I met up with the three guys from the notorious Hastings band’ Factory’. Always been on nodding terms but this time had a good chat. Many thanks to the master of ceremonies Alan Esdaile for making me welcome and introducing me to so many interesting people. P.S. Forgot to mention Mick Michael Mepham a man I could talk vinyl with for hours. Next time maybe………….

Wendy Weaver… A very enjoyable afternoon

Geoff Peckham… Thanks again, Alan, for another chance to chat with like-minded folk. Enjoyed a chat about school days at the Down with Pete Horton and Lol, and got to know Peter Millington. But the highlight for me was meeting the very lovely John Alexander Wilde after more than forty years! Wow! Cheers, Alan

Mick O’Dowd… Was this the best one yet? Nice to see some many newbies/virgins at this meet. I got my bag of sherbert lemons from John Wilde and it was nice to see him again after all these years. Great effort in bringing together so many talents and anoracks each month and for the excellent website & FB page. To all you peeps that keep threatening to come (Stuart Moir, Dave Easton etc.) make it the next time and no excuses. Anybody else toying with the idea just do it like so many of our newbies this month. Well done Alan!

Graham Belchamber… Excellant gathering, thanks for organising it !

Michael Mepham… Hurrah for all of the above!! Yes indeed Philip we’ll have a good yak and I’ll try to find my catalogue ….. don’t forget Freecycle

Andy Gunton… Sounds like I missed a good ‘un.

Philip John… Great pic Pete Prescott. I thought it was Ian Gillan

Yvonne Cleland… Alan, I’d be greatful if you could pass on anything you find out about Bob Marley’s first ever uk gig at the DelaWarr Pavilion! Bexhill Museum have an idea that Haile Selassie used to have a house in Bexhill too! As ever, any posters/flyers/tickets for this would be so happily received by Bexhill Museum. We are very excited about this great Bexhill first! )))))) xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Andy Gunton… I’d be very interested in that too Yvonne for a possible future article in The Stinger mag smile emoticon

Yvonne Cleland…  I know that it was part of a tour supporting Johnny Nash, but think it was just the Wailers at Bexhill. First ever uk gig. It all happens in Bexhill you know! x

Alan Esdaile… Hi Yvonne and Andy if I get any info on Bob Marley I will pass on to you. Also I think it was The Equals and Emperor Rosko on the bill but yet to find anyone who went.

Matt Thomas… I would like to come as i have told Alan at work but my years of expertise were the 80’s so would feel left out a bit lol

Andy Qunta… Thanks for the review, Alan! Looks like I missed another great time!

Yvonne Cleland… Thanks Alan, and hope something comes up. Even better would be tangible proof like a programme or something that could be donated to the museum…

Stuart Huggett…I’ve just turned up that, also on the bill at that Paul Simon DLWP Folk Festival (as well as Shirley Collins/Davy Graham and others) was one Ralph May – better known these days as Ralph McTell. His memories of the day have been part of his on stage anecdotes on recent years’ tours.

1 thought on “SMART 20 Coffee meet 5th June 2015 Report.”

  1. Was this the best one yet? Nice to see some many newbies/virgins at this meet. I got my bag of sherbert lemons from John Wilde and it was nice to see him again after all these years. I think Alan should receive a knighthood for his efforts in bringing together so many talents and anoracks each month and for the excellent website & FB page. To all you peeps that keep threatening to come (Stuart Moir, Dave Easton etc.) make it the next time and no excuses. Anybody else toying with the idea just do it like so many of our newbies this month. Well done Alan!

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