SMART Coffee meet number 50 report

Wow! What can I say! A brilliant turn out for our 50th Coffee meet. A big thank you to everyone for making it so special. Among the newbies this time were Trevor Chenery, Jack and Janice Irving, Jim Westlake and Malcolm Sharp. Trevor was talking about his band Tzar when they were on the bill with Ashton Gardner & Dyke and Shaft on the pier back in 1972. Also talking about Daisy when he was a roadie for them. Jack Irving had with him a number of photos of Screaming Lord Sutch and The Savages, as well as a very interesting video of the Joe Meek Tribute Concert that took place in 1991. Jim Westlake was chatting about the successful gigs he does with Eric Harmer at The Drift In Bar and Malcolm Sharp was chatting about the amusement machines that have just arrived on Hastings Pier. Pete Prescott had a previous engagement but managed to quickly pop in a cutting about Ray Fenwick and Forcefield from the Guitarist magazine January 1987. Colin Bell had with him a rare Eden Kane and His Brothers photographs, discographies, autographed biog book that Peter Sarstedt gave him in 1997 when he promoted The Tunbridge Wells Festival.  Peter Houghton arrived with bags of albums including an autographed album of The Love Affair and Hawkwind, as well as a signed tank top t-shirt from Van Halen. He also had the new Lonerider album that features Simon Kirke from Bad Company and the new CD Jobcentre Rejects that features Die Laughing.  Seeing all the logos inside the new SMART leaflet David Smith remembers years ago a friend passing through Rome airport carrying a Disc Jockey shop record bag! Andre Martin did a very nice speech and on the advice of others and against my wishes decided to put a bucket around for donations which raised £140.31. I have decided to donate this to The Bladder Scanner Appeal for De Cham Ward at The Conquest Hospital. Thank you to everyone and also for your lovely comments . A great time was had by everyone. Now the goal is to make it to 100 meets! If you have any interesting stories you were chatting about please feel free to add here. 

photo Kevin Burchett

John Busbridge… Sorry I couldn’t make it but I am on crutches!

Wendy Weaver… It was very nice today Alan. Meeting old friends and new.

Elaine Roberts… Great get-together! Thank you x

Jim Breeds… Good to see everyone there today. Congrats on organising 50 of these Alan.

Wendy Belton… It was great to see so many there. Congratulations on your 50th meeting Alan.

Geoff Peckham… I’m glad it went so well. Well done Alan! I’d have joined you had it not been for my friend’s funeral.

Eva Neuke… I’m very disappointed that I couldn’t be there..

Monica Bane… Allan! did tell many friends about this today! Would have been there, but my friends and I were out with Senior Forum, for the day, hope next month!  All the best Monica!

Peter Houghton… Well done Alan it was a good meeting today thanks Pete

Lucy Pappas… Sorry to miss it

Deborah Mould… A great event Alan, thank you

Mick O’Dowd… Try and top this one Alan. Contained all the whistles & bells and more. Did us proud with the eats. Without you we wouldn’t exist.

Jan Warren… Great pic Alan!! – I just wish I could recognise Pete (Houghton) in there?? – come on Pete, tell me ……. I know its been many years and we’ve all got older, so, come on Pete, don’t be shy, which one is you?? Happy 50th Meeting to all you lovely old youngsters!

Mick O’Dowd… Pete Houghton is 2nd from left Jan Warren!

Mark Harris… Great to have a good chat with Andre about the old Archway Management days and the gigs he used to get for us in various army camps around the south east!

Mick O’Dowd… Fame at last! Front page of SMART mag & in colour too!!!!

Andy Knight… Any pics of Tzar?

Alan Esdaile… Sorry Andy, Trevor did not have any photos.

2 thoughts on “SMART Coffee meet number 50 report”

  1. Great to have a good chat with Andre about the old Archway Management days and the gigs he used to get for us in various army camps around the south east!

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