Lovely day and a good turn out for our 75th meet at the White Rock Hotel. Among the newbies this time were Mike and Helen Haddock. Mike and Helen have traveled down from Northamptonshire and had an album full of photos and cuttings including a photo of when Mike was manager of M.P. Harris & Co Ltd building merchants in Bexhill. Also letters from Radio Caroline dj’s that he booked in 1967 including Robbie Dale and Steve Young and John Lee Hooker’s autograph with dj’s including Roger Day when he appeared at Chislehurst Caves. Also a signed photo of dj Keefers (Keith Hampshire). Mick O’Dowd had with him Eddie Piller presents The Mod Top 100 4 cd set which has recently been released on Edsel Records. Barry French had a collection of Focus LP’s. Anthony ‘Nan’ Morland had photos of the fluffy elephant that used to be along the seafront, Collins & Hayes photo of Peter and Nicholas Hayes, Gulf garage and Gas showrooms Queens Road, Gamleys and Blockbuster, Queens Road Motors and Albert Road’s magistrates building adjoining John Collier, which shows ‘Nan’s’ green Metro in the picture. Great to see Digger and he had with him Head On promotion leaflet and cd’s of Stallion and singles of Some Of My Best Friends Are Canadians ‘Feeling Sheepish’, Tich Turner’s Escalator ‘Don’t Really Want You Back Again’ and The Breathers ‘Living In The Age Age’. Ian Marketis has delved into his Kate Bush collection and had a mountain of singles, lp’s, dvd, cassette, book and autographed postcards from the 1979 London Palladium gig. Merv Kennard had more from his pirate radio archives, including 7” singles of Jumbo Records Caroline jingles with Mi Amigo jingles on the ‘B’ side, The One Shots ‘Goodbye Caroline’ single and on EMI, Swag with ‘London’ which is a Radio London theme. Also cd’s of Radio Nordsee 1971 reopening and ‘On Fire’ and offshore radio jingles as well as the book by Steve Conway ‘Shiprocked’ life on the waves with Radio Caroline, which he highly recommends to read. Keith Veness has found some more cards including ‘The Mariners’ business card, Tudor Club membership card, a ticket from the wonderful ‘Gracious’ gig on the pier and a ticket receipt from the Fifty Eight Club of payment for one supper! This is just a small bit of what I remember. If you had anything interesting you were talking about or anything I missed out or got wrong! then please feel free to add or correct.
Colin Bell… Great to see everyone again
Pete Prescott… great to see you Colin
Mick O’Dowd… Really nice to see you again Colin.
Claire Lonsdale… Thank you Alan for a lovely afternoon as always. Seemed like everyone was enjoying themselves as people were still deep in conversation at the end. X
Wendy Weaver… Nice to meet old friends again.
Eric Harmer… So sorry I couldn’t make this one guys, hope to make the next one. Glad it went so well
Roger Carey… Sorry I haven’t been to a SMART meet for ages, am currently on Steeleye Span tour (including White Rock Hastings Sunday October 27th!), so missed this one , but many times have noted a meet up only to find it’s another Friday where I’m away/working or similar. Hope to be at the next one!
Mick O’Dowd… Nice one as usual Alan! I found it not at all rock’n’roll as it’s a coffee meet! Pity that the person who said this doesn’t come along and find out for himself!
Leigh Mitchell… Sounds like a very interesting meet! 75th one too, wow, well done Alan xx
Merv Kennard… Thanks Alan for organising another great meeting today. Really enjoyed catching up with lots of friends and chatting to others.
Andy Qunta… Sounds great!
Mick O’Dowd… Wonderful afternoon. Had some interesting chats with Colin Bell, Monica Bane (interesting lady!) and Claire Lonsdale, who was talking about her pet hate when advertisers mangle classic songs so that they sound dull and nothing like the versions we love! Well done Alan for keeping us all under control
JS Bythesea… My brother (David Cash) was in Hat Trick
Jacquie Hinves… I am so sorry to have missed yet another great opportunity to meet up with you all. My apologies to you all.
Jackie Hersee… I am sorry I couldn’t make it on Friday. I was in Spain! Looking forward to the next meet up
Peter Ellingworth… Sorry for not being able to make it this last meet Alan, all being well will be down next time. Glad it was so well attended.
Sorry for not being able to make it this last meet Alan, all being well will be down next time. Glad it was so well attended.