https://www.facebook.com/gary.jackson1
Gary Jackson… I’d book the small faces for £450!!
Mike Raxworthy… I was in The Stack…£40! Great days!
Vince Ray… wow, I’m more expensive than Pink Floyd
Sue Jones… I see Vanity Fare got a mention
Trevor Jones… I remember seeing Pink Floyd carrying their own equipment on to the stage .They must have been strong cos ‘now it takes an army of people.
Steve Hamilton… Deep Purple must be on special offer.
shared from Neil Chalcraft. https://www.facebook.com/groups/hastingshistory
Neil Chalcraft… Alexander Park gates and fencing for the war effort often a waste of time as it wasn’t always usable and was dumped in the sea.
Mike Waghorne… I often noticed in Foyles war that all the cast iron railings were still present so we know that it wasn’t overlooked & shouldn’t have been there !
Peter Ellingworth… Wasn’t it ‘Saucepans for Spitfires’ as well ?
photo source: Kent Music Biz
Barry Newton…Alan, Is it OK to use this forum to check my memory regarding a group from a few years back who used to play a lot of village gigs. If i remember correctly the group were from Hawkhurst and called the Vampires they had a blind drummer called Noel who left to play with a well known rock band of the time, possibly late sixties. Does anybody know if my facts are correct and what happened to Noel. Please note I am not 100% sure all names are correct.
Alan Esdaile… That’s fine Barry keep them coming. Found the above photo and more info if you check the link to the Kent Music Biz website. Jed Stacey was in the group The Vampires and played with Paul Dove in Candy Stripe. I will do a few more searches but Paul might know more info.
Barry Newton… Thanks Alan. I used to DJ (sort off) at Iden gigs when they played. Memory slightly of with names Jed not Noel. Always got a good turnout were they played in the sticks.
Jon McCallion… Jed Stacey was the drummer in the Vampires, his brother Tim was their manager. Both still very good friends. I see Tim a lot. Nigel has his own recording studio and still playing.
Paul Dove… Hi Barry, yes I was in a band with Jed &. Nigel, called Candy stripe,played a lot out in the sticks and Hastings, have lost touch with Jed, but have tracked Nigel down am out recording with him in March,on some of his own & my material, I have a band called The Beagles who play Eagles & Beatles , plus other covers.
Paul Huggett… Good band, remember them well. Bass player George Cramp? I auditioned as drummer when Jed left, didn’t get it. The band broke up not long after though, so didn’t miss much.
Mike Butler… Jed played in a little bedroom band back in the early 60’s with myself, Barry Marshal and Martin (can’t remember his last name). We had to get Martin’s dad to pick Jed up for Hawkhurst to bring him to Martin’s house in Cranbrook. Some time in 1964, I went to a local dance run by a band called The Saphires that Jed was playing in . I did a guest spot doing the bass solo from one of the Shadows hits of the time. I got invited to join the band and we practiced in a room above the bar of the Queen’s Arms in Hawkhurst. I never got to play live with them after that as I moved away. I did look Jed up a couple of years ago and found he was living in Maidstone, but I never got round to contacting him. Would be nice to know if he remembers those days!
Tony Court-holmes… good god are the cellars still there
Terry Hopper… Yep remember seeing the vampires in the late 60 ‘s at Brede village hall the drummer used to do a brilliant 5 minute drum solo while the rest of the band left the stage for a break
Nigel Dance… Hi, I’m Nigel Dance and have fond memories of playing guitar with the Vampires. They were fun times. I’m still in touch with Jed, who lives in Ashford, and who has worked with me in a couple of bands since those 60’s days. I’m also still in touch with George Cramp, our Vampires bass player. I’ve met Monty (singer and front man) a couple of times but not recently. Lenny (keyboards) I’ve met a few times over the years but he has, sadly, since died.
Graham Bradley… I remember introducing Gordon Reade to the band after there blind drummer left who was fantastic, I think Gordon got the job who was also a good drummer. I was playing in a local band at that time so knew The Vampires pretty well .
Stuart Moir… Premier drums were the choice of the day in the sixties, remember pondering over my choice but went with Ludwig and have since gone Roland V drums, sold my Super Classic to a guy in the Czech republic for £1800 .
Stewart Grimes… I remember going with my dad to Bells Music in Hove to collect his burgundy pearl Premier Continental set complete with Ziljan cymbals which if I remember rightly cost as much if not more than the kit, this was in 69
Marcus Towner… Hi I’m MarcusT from Hawkhurst and remembered the Vampires with great fondness. Nash Dance guitar Lenny on keyboards, George on bass, Jed on drums and of course Monty on vocals. They were brilliant and so good I realise I’d never get to that level of excellence. The result was Jerry Fisher and I formed the Pink Banana mobile disco and were quite successful. However I doubt anyone remembers us and our crazy antics. Thanks boys.
Mike Haddock… I used to live in Northiam. Booked the Vampires many times and even got them a booking at Chislehurst Caves with the Radio Caroline dj’s of the day. Robbie Dale, Jonnie Walker, etc. Used to help Jed with his drums after a gig. One time had all the boys back to my parents’ house (they were away) and cooked them all a big breakfast! Very happy days.
Val Playford… My cousin, Jonnie Playford, played in the Vampires and I remember going to all the local dances and Chislehurst Caves, where I saw Screaming Lord Such, that was back in the day, so many memories, had a great time.
Gerry Fortsch… Graham, Have you any idea where Gordon is now Graham, I have not seen him since the mid seventies when we met up with our old mates in Nektar.
Graham Bradley… Hi Gerry, I’m afraid I haven’t see Gordon for years, I will ask around to see if anyone knows, hope all good with you mate
Paul Dove… Looks like Nigel Dance in the red top
Nigel Dance… Paul, Yes it is.
Gerry Fortsch… God that takes me back, they were so popular back then but of course it never bothered me.
Graham Matthews… The last I heard about Jed, the blind drummer, his brother told me he had a big band in the Ashford area.
John Sunderland… I always thought he was Fred? I remember them playing regularly at Staplecross village hall back then, even though I was still at primary school!
Marcus Towner… Yes I remember them well and even play with Dave Chapman’s band . He was one of the original Vampires. I have great memories of them and their village hall dances. They were an integral part of my youth.
cuttings supplied by Sarah Harvey
Dave Nattress… As a lifelong Free fan I read I’m sure that one of their early managers or associates suggested the name “The Heavy Metal Kids” but they rejected it and went for “Free”. However, the name did then then get used eventually!! Also, am I right did Gary Holton turn up in Al Weidersein?
Alan Esdaile… Yes Dave spot on, he was in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet.
Peter Fairless… They were a very different band (photo in 1977), mind! Yes, Gary Holton was as much an actor as a singer. He went on to play Wayne in Auf Wiedersehen Pet. Here is one of my all time favourite video clips, from The Tube, filmed in Newcastle in 1984. …and, yes, that’s Leslie Ash!
Jim Breeds… I remember the excitement of going to Saturday’s the first time. Probably that week of opening. We’d not seen anything like it outside of London. And at last we were not going to have to make any more trips to Sundowners in Eastbourne. Gary Holton, later to be cast as Wayne in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. RIP.
Martin Richter… Keith Hardy – there`s a name I haven`t heard for years!
Clifford Rose… Excellent concert.
Mick Mepham… Certainly was….
Dave Weeks… Frupp! Remember them too. Proper prog.
Sandy Max… I was in a church choir and imps were very popular before a service! Still use Vicks but I liked Tunes rather than the others (always the cherry menthol)
Josie Lawson… tunes, hacks,imps, vicks
Ian Quinnell… Used to crunch my way through bagfuls of Victory V’s. Think you can still buy them but the recipe has been changed to protect the health conscious
Alan Esdaile… My dad always had imps with him. Still use vicks. Tunes and Covonia I like as a lozenge. Used to have Lemsip but nowadays I prefer a slice of real lemon with a spoonful of honey in a hot cup of tea.
Dennis Torrance… Hacks and imps victory v you had to be brave enough
Jack Nelson… I remember very clearly the menthol smell of Vicks. And I seem to vaguely recall trying one of my Nan’s ‘Hacks’. It seemed very strong to me then, and I didn’t ever want another.
Dave Nattress… All of these for cough/cold remedies – not sure if any actually worked and Victory V’s were torture + a hideously strong thing called Meggezones or something like that which I was also advised to try sucking before a gig to tone up the vocal chords. Tried a few times, and not sure it worked as well as getting half-slaughtered on beer. When very young my parents used to give my chest a coating of something called Goose Grease which was some unbelievably horrible greasy smelly stuff, presumably extract of Geese private parts. What about a few drops of Olbas Oil in hot water and sniff up the vapour. This was legal stuff!!
Mick Knights… A daily spoonful of cod liver oil and malt!!
Dizz Corinne Ryder… Still use Vicks and lemon strepsils.
shared from Chris Perrior © Salmon Ltd
Chris Perrior…. postcard courtesy of Salmon ltd of Sevenoaks circa1960’s in front of the Victoria Hotel.
Tony Court-holmes… a happy Hastings then
Peter Ellingworth… Maybe early ’70’s – looks like the bus and coach opposite centre picture are in NBC livery, Southdown or M&D ?
Fiona Evans… I remember the one at York Buildings.
Martin Richter… medicinal countdown ? one from the top, please Carol ?
Malcolm McDonald… yep, remember it well…
Jim Breeds… The Ore branch was where Laycocks now is. I still think of it as Theakers sometimes!
Andy Qunta… I think I remember the Ore branch too.
Mick Turner… Was there a Theaker’s at the bottom on the corner of Mount Road just below the Post Office back in the fifties?
Nigel Ford… Used the Hollington one at times rather than the local Battle chemists for gentleman’s needs…..and not just the weekend either!
Tracy Birrell… I used to shop there sometimes. They had lovely old fashioned remedies and beautiful glass chemist bottles in the window filled with colourful liquid.
Alan Esdaile… I remember the glass chemist bottles. We had Boots and Timothy Whites and others but always thought of Theaker as a real chemist.
Photo source: https://www.themerseybeats.co.uk
David Bastable… went there to see The Merseybeats. The lights had failed just before I arrived. Dave Johnson, the drummer was sitting in the foyer with a few blokes. I sat with them and chatted away.
When the lights came back we all went upstairs. It turned out that Dave and I had been sitting with the group A great memory That’s a time when you could stand next to the stage when groups like The Animals played
Jane Hartley… We used to go late night shopping in Tesco when it was near Woolworths, every Friday night.
Leigh Mitchell… 52 years ago! I was earning £6 a week at Plummers (then Debenhams) working a 40+ hour week! Prices are relative to earnings
Toker Tokin… Look how we are being ripped off
Stuart Moir… Greed has changed prices
Eric Harmer… Everyone !!
Joe Knight… Plus the clown type shoes two tone 
😂😂😂 kipper tie
Alan Parker… By the way, we called them flares in the ’60s they became bellbottoms in the ’70s when the flare started from the thigh and not below the knees. I sounded a real dork then didn’t I.
Mick O’Dowd… Clang-a-lang
Andrew Blake… Wayne foster still does
Nick Webb… O yes ! and they where Mauve lol
Phil Gill…
And a full lineup of Lionels going on here:
Chris Barrett… I wore flares this week. I find it difficult to understand why everyone isn’t wearing them. They must be due a comeback. Phil you could still totally rock that look today. 
😀
Eric Harmer… With a mullet ?
Dave Nattress… Flares, loon pants, flared Levi jeans – had an Orange Levi label as opposed to the normal Red one in the typical 501’s. Platform shoes and knee length platform boots sprayed Silver, Red and Blue shoes platforms bought from Topper? near the clocktower in Brighton and Huckells and Fab Boutique of course. GUILTY AS CHARGED!!!
Kev Towner… I remember Huckells!!
Angela Frances Gardner… Of course, hipster bellbottoms and loons!
Harry Randall….My band in Belgium “Revival” pull the other leg it’s got bells on! I’m second from right.
Tim Moose Bruce… My most embarrassing motorcycle incident caused by flares. Filtered to the front of a queue.went to put my left foot down but flare got caught on the footrest. I fell against the drivers door of the car next to me and couldnt move. Neither could the guy on the bike behind as he was crying with laughter…
Chris Giles… Used to buy my loons in the high street on the right before the church …also brought tie dye t shirts with flared sleeves
Pete Prescott… I remember cutting the inside of each leg to sew a triangular piece of fabric into them. Big bells !
Tony Court-holmes… Pete, same as
Lance Collins… Pete, buy a pair of jeans and take them straight round to grandma. Cut some old curtains up and put in big flares
Angela Frances Gardner… yes I remember doing this as well and putting massive patches on the front as well!
Claire Melhuish-Durkin… Loons and frayed bell bottoms and choker, pearly eyeshadow and patchouli oil. Eeek
Colin Bell… That sounds like every girlfriend of mine from that time! 
you were all lovely!
Ian Price… Flares and two toned platform shoes for me and my permed hair!
Janine Hemsley… Absolutely magical times
Graham Sherrington… Not me
Colin Bell… I’ve destroyed all the evidence……
Stuart Moir… All of those, used to cost me all my spare cash to keep up with the trends otherwise looked a dork
Alan Esdaile… Stuart, I probably still looked like a dork.