Mods outside Dimarco cafe and Seeboard Hastings 1960’s

supplied by Vivy Ann Mower – Mod Squad https://www.facebook.com/groups/294781987523408/

Dennis Torrance… Never seen these photos before brilliant Alan brought back some memories

Alan Esdaile… Likewise Dennis. Loads of mod Hastings photos on the net but have not seen these before. Happy memories of all the buildings. Mind you looks like no chance of getting a nice cup of tea in Dimarco’s on this day.

Jim Breeds… They were there on a Welsh Rarebit sampling day out.

Harry Randall… Dimarco’s stood where McDonald’s now stands!

Dennis Torrance… True Alan right also about all the buildings there . Dimarcos to happy memories to great food and ice cream and milkshakes. Thanks again Alan

Pete Fisher… Does anyone know what year this was?  1964?

Alan Esdaile… Yes I think it is 1964

Darren Holmes… Love the two kids fighting behind the man on the ground!!! Which one is the mod and which is the rocker???

Sid Saunders… I remember that photo showing an old man that was knocked to the ground. I was away at a motorcycle race meeting that weekend.

Malcolm Sharp… Was working in the resturant by the fountain that day, iorio and demarcos, was funny and scary 14 at the time

Who else was born at Fernbank Old London Road Hastings?

3rd March 1977

Ian Cramp… My kids were born at The Buchanan

Steve Cooke… Oh yes, I was. Photo explains a lot about me I feel. Very Hammer House!

Steve Mann… Me

Paul Crimin… Why does a book by Charles Dickens leap to mind when I look at the picture of this building?

John David Martin… And me

Terry Corder… No me, I was born in St. Helen’s Hospital, but I used to pass Fern Bank twice a day going to and from school.

Samantha Blake… I was in 1967 x

Andrew Blake… I was in 1969 and so was my other half in 1973

Alan Esdaile… apparently the nurse dropped the scissors with me, when the chord was being cut.

Pauline Richards… Am not admitting to the year!

Ann Graves… My daughter was born there in 1969

Chris Meachen… My birthplace in 1955… Dad was a bus conductor, & would get his driver to stop in old london road, then run up to give mum flowers or chocs..

Stephanie Blackledge… My sister Nicky Dann

Nicola Dobson… I was born there in 1952

Tony Davis… I was

Margaret Trowell… Husband was born there in 1945.

David Edwards… Yep!

Sam Rosewell… My brother was born there in 1972 and I remember being taken there to see him and my mum! I think my dad may also have been born there in 1949

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Cliff Richard outside the De La Warr Pavilion Bexhill in 1960

photo © Martin Ballard. Bexhill Old Photos and History

Pete Fisher… Could be 9th October 1960. According to listings he also played the Bexhill Regal on 30 October 1960. This may have been the programme for the De La Warr, coincidentally printed in Hastings… https://www.flickr.com/…/bradf…/albums/72157663388489930

Alan Esdaile… Yes you are right with the date Pete.

Lynn Williams… I saw Cliff at the De La Warr in the 60s

Marilyn Spence… Whoo Whoo I went to that concert with my 13th year old sister and 14 year old school friend I was 14. My first ever pop idol also my first ever concert. His single A Voice in the wilderness the first 45rpm I ever bought of many. My sister and i saw him again in Melbourne at a concert after emigrating to Australia a few years later

Lyn Humphrey… I never knew Cliff came to Bexhill. Mind you, I didn’t arrive in Bexhill myself until 1964.

Carol Tree… I saw him at ABC Hastings twice in the 60’s plus many times since

SMART SOUNDS by Colin Bell reviewing The Magic Forest – More Pastoral Psychedelia & Funky Folk 1968-1975, Various Artists 3CD

THE MAGIC FOREST – More Pastoral Psychedelia & Funky Folk 1968-1975
I’ve been looking forward to this release. Regular readers may remember the first 3 CD box set in this series issued back in 2022 ‘Deep In The Woods’. An excellent collection of trad folk/experimental acid folk/jazz/rock/funk & more besides, which may sound a rather confusing mix of genres, but trust me it all makes wonderful, blissful sense when it enters your ears. I love that first collection so much that its become my ‘go to’ listen when I want to relax & drift off to other worlds & immerse myself in all things esoteric, where there’s an aural surprise lurking around every corner. This new release is a companion piece to that first collection & like its predecessor the first thing you notice is the exquisite artwork spread out over the digipack which is a feast for the eyes as it draws you into ‘The Magic Forest’ I could just stare at that artwork all day, let alone being carried away by the music. This time round the set contains more of the rare, obscure & long forgotten gems as before, sprinkled with the more well known names, well, they’re well known if you’re into this whole scene as I am. The compilation has once  again been put together by Richard Norris, a man clearly in love with what he does & he has done another fine job annotating the tracks. And speaking of tracks there are 61 spread across the 3 CD’s to delight in. The whole collection gets off to a fine start with the track that gives the compilation its title ‘The Magic Forest’ by Fat Mattress a band whose name will be familar to a wider audience, who enjoyed a fair degree of success, & included along with Noel Redding, an old friend of mine Neil Landon, who prior to forming FM was a member of The Flower Pot Men. I’ve chosen this track to feature as the accompanying video to this review to give you a sample of what to expect. This is followed by the gentle strains of the eastern flavoured ‘Dreams’ by The Woods bands & already a sense of peace & relaxation is taking hold of the listener. One of the most collectible bands of the 60’s, the wondrous Mellow Candle are up next with ‘Sheep Season’ featuring their haunting blend of voices & experimental sounds that infused their solitary album ‘Swaddling Songs’ for which you’d need a second mortgage to buy if you were after an original vinyl copy. Track 4 comes from a very underrated artist in my view Shelagh McDonald with the haunting folk ballad ‘Stargazer’ More standout tracks on CD1 come from Prelude, Keith West (of ‘Grocer Jack’ fame), Agincourt, another highly collectable act, Forest, Affinity & one of my favourite singer/songwriters Clifford T Ward with ‘A Dream’, a sheer delight. CD2 kicks off with a legend of folk, Sandy Denny with ‘Next Time Around’ followed by, new to me, a gorgeous number from Fairfield Parlour with ‘Aries’ with some very ordinary themes in its lyrics that become far more interesting when combined with the band’s music. The unmistakable voice of Roger Chapman heralds the arrival of his band Family with ‘My Friend the Sun’ one of the more well known artistes to grace the compilation. More highlights on CD2 come from Heron, Fresh Maggots, Tim Hollier, Oberon & another old friend i worked with, the enigma that was Tim Rose with Tim’s take on ‘If I Were A Carpenter’. RIP old friend. Compared to the first collection ‘Deep in the Woods’ aforementioned. this second 3CD outing features more singer/songwriters. CD3 opens with a band I’ve always had a fondness for, the excellent Jade Warrior with the gentle, dreamy ‘Morning Hym’ followed by a band completely unknown to me The Ghost with a track called ‘Hearts & Flowers’ which reminds me of something else I can’t quite pin down annoyingly, but I’m very taken with their lead singer, one Shirley Kent. I’d like to hear more from this band. Track 3 serves up a great number from Pete Dello & his band Honeybus, best known of course for ‘I Can’t Let Maggie Go’ but there was so much more to them than that commercial hit single. Elsewhere other highlights on the final disc come from Fotheringay, Pentangle, Roy Harper, Marsha Hunt & Snafu amongst others. In conclusion compiler Richard Norris has curated a glorious collection of the esoteric, seldom heard & unfamiliar which if you have a mind that seeks out the different,  may just turn into your very own familiar, I do hope so. Enjoy.
For more information go to https://www.cherryred.co.uk
Til next time……take care….Colin

Stamp and Coin Shop Norman Road St Leonards-on-Sea

shared from: JJ Waller https://www.facebook.com/groups/1699272093673888

JJ Waller… I thought it might be of interest to some in this group. The shop is now closed. his is Peter. He and his family have been running the stamp shop in Norman Road since the early sixties. He has lived in St Leonards all of his life. Peter’s father came down from Manchester during the second world war to operate the guns that were stationed at Marina. His dad met his mum who was a receptionist at a surgery in Warrior Square. The painting of the flowers was done by his mum. The inside of the shop hasn’t changed since the sixties, originally it was a photographers. Peter was a very friendly and an interesting man, sadly health issues mean he has to sell up and retire. He had negotiated a deal with a neighbour but it fell through at the very last minute. It was great going into the shop for the very first time and chatting to him.

Andy Hemsley… I went there to buy stamps in the late 60’s as a seven year old. Was always amazed it stayed open for so long and never changed. The place was a time anchor.

Steve Cooke… Remember seeing a white £5 note in the window at a very reasonable price. It was late on a Sunday evening I had just eaten at the Shiplu next door (It used to be the best curry house in the town). Went back a couple of days later and it had been sold

Dawn Hyland… Loved that shop my childhood was in there.

Julie Glover… Dad sometimes popped into the shop, hope Peter is ok

Alan Esdaile… Used to spend a fortune in here. Not on stamps but coin wallets, which I used to put badges in for the reps presentation folders. Used to be a really lovely lady with glasses in the shop, who usually served me. Stamps I remember buying from the stamp shop at the top of Havelock Road. Anyone remember that one?

Peter Ellingworth… Well remembered the stamp shop in Havelock Rd, just a few doors down and on the same side of the road from the now closed pub on the corner ( can’t remember the name). This was the first port of call for my cousin Richard, a keen stamp collector when he came down on holiday from St. Albans.

Sue Strong… I remember him when I was a kid and used to go in and buy stamps, shame not to be able to continue with the shop

Tracy Birrell… I loved this shop as a child in the 60’s. My Grandad used to take me in there to buy stamps for my collection. It is so nice to see this photo.

Norman Crouch… Wow, I spent a lot of time in the mid to late 70s going in there. For 2p you’d get a mixed bag of old stamps with some real gems in them. For 5p you’d get even more. Recently moved back to Hastings having moved away in 1992. Sad to see it has closed. Anyone know what year it shut? Is the guy still around?

Peter Nicholls… I remember this wonderful old fashioned stamp and coin which my wife and I had the pleasure visiting and buying some good quality and good value stamps and FDC. around October 2019 while on holidays from Australia! Peter was most helpful and thoughtful and funnily enough we had the same name and surname! I’m sorry to hear he couldn’t find someone to take over his life’s hard work! Too many stamp shops in Australia have closed the same way! Thanks to Peter for keeping it going as long as he did!

Micky Erends… Remember visiting his shop to buy bank notes, always a friendly and a very helpful man

 

MIN talking about women drivers in 1990

Sandie Carlyon… Remember Min well. He truly was a one off.

Mick Burt… Min was a legend

Elizabeth Turner… Loved Minn bless him.Good fun.xx

Tereza Goacher… Tried to get done for being drunk on a skateboard

Julian Deeprose… We will never see his like again. What a character. Much missed

Liane Carroll… Darling Min!

Heather Sidery… Beautiful guy

Sue Strong… I was only thinking about him the other day

Toker Tokin… I still have his digital delay .he used to use. RIP

John Busbridge… Never wore shoes I seem to remember?

Bernard Goffredo… I remember us coming back from a gig one night when his van overheated in the middle of nowhere. He opened the bonett and in the steam and lights he loomed up looking like the devil.

John Williams… We had a gig at London docklands and Min went missing, Found him sleeping on a bench, got back to the venue. Stuck his sax in his mouth and he played a blinder lol nice man

Mike Waghorne… I remember Min from the early 70’s always had that grin on his face , always friendly.

Jim Penfold… And cooking sausages on the engine of our bus on the way to a gig!

Paul Cullen… Min, one of Hastings great characters. Always a smile.

Tim Moose Bruce… 1986. Mate’s band doing a gig in the Pig In Paradise. Min walked in with sax and just joined in for the rest of the night. Was brilliant.

Bernard Goffredo… Tim, yes he did that a lot

Mick Knights… The only career deckchair attendant I ever knew!

Sparrow Baker… actually, he did work on the hovercrafts on Hastings beach. That could have been a reason for why they stopped ?

Stuart Rockett… Probably apocryphal, but Min was supposedly arrested for attempting to cut through the hose-pipe of a fire tender at Battle Bonfire night, because he had taken his son to the event and had arrived late, and didn’t want his son to be disappointed by not seeing the bonfire. Lovely chap.

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Who remembers Phil Cordell?

Ricky Adelaide… This LP cover thing going on, can anyone remember this local chap great musician sadly no longer with us. Had a studio back of Catsfield went there few times was a really nice man ,,,, back in the day

Martin Stringer… I was in his band and spent many happy hours writing songs with him. Eventually I used to live in his house every weekend so we could work into the early hours. Very fond memories of Phil and Kevin Hoad. We had so.much fun.

Ricky Adelaide… Few credits on here of local musicians

Chris Cozens… Tape-Op – Mike Hedges!!! Whatever happened to him?

Phil Gill… Stallion enjoyed a brilliant relationship with Phil Cordell from 1975/76. He paid for studio time for us in two studios, and brought us into his home studio at Ninfield on several occasions. I remember at one of these sessions at his house he played us a rough mix of a song called “Bavarian Nights”, which later surfaced on his 1977 album “Born Again”, which I have. He was great to be around and we learned a lot from him in terms of studio techniques. He also very kindly lent me a Revox tape recorder so I could demo up some song ideas I had. I found him to be very creative and fun to be around and I guess we owe him some sort of acknowledgement. He’s referenced in the sleeve notes for our CD, “The Hard Life” and I’ve pasted below some paragraphs from that which may be of interest.
“With John (Wilde) on board, Stallion began making something of a reputation for themselves and, as a result, they appeared on the radar of producer and solo artist Phil Cordell. Promptly deciding they should have some
studio time with him in the producer’s seat, in July 1975, Cordell took them into the studio to cut an edited
version of their seven minute song “If Life Were Death”, proposing it as the follow up single to his
number one hit in Europe, “I Will Return”, which he had recorded under the pseudonym “Springwater”. It was the band’s first outing with a producer. Cordell’s techniques were certainly not wasted on them and his
production ideas were quickly assimilated and mentally stored for future use. His producer’s flair for
arrangements and overdubs, particularly keyboards, opened the band’s eyes to many new possibilities.
Cordell showed them how to double track the string sound, with the second track detuned slightly to give a
thicker, richer sound, a technique the band used in the studio thereafter to provide the Mellotron texture they
were seeking.  Bassist Phil Gill, then on his debut studio outing, was asked to lay down several overdubs
of 12 string acoustic guitar. He assumed Cordell was being sarcastic when, at the end of his first overdub,
he told him to go and do another take in the toilet. After the band stopped laughing, they realised that
Cordell was serious; the lavatory was tiled and provided a great natural reverb which brought the acoustic guitar to life, another trick noted and used again in later recordings. The time they spent with Cordell became something of a defining moment for the band, with the results serving to help crystallise their signature sound.”

Robert Searle… Phil, I recorded at Phil’s studio at Ninfield in the early 70s. I used to live in Ninfield and wasn’t too far from his place. He was a real nice guy and fun to be with.

Shaun Pont… Dan the Banjo Man. Radio Luxembourg Powerplay in 1973 and a number one in Europe that year.

Terry Pack… Kev Hoad introduced me to Phil around 1979/80. We met at The Merry Harrier(?) in Cowbeech with a view to doing something, but what actually resulted was a lot of talking and drinking!

Mike Waghorne… I remember him

Alan Pepper… Fascinating  Phil . What an interesting read . Thank you for sharing your memories . I didn’t know Phil was such a great fellow . All I knew was what I had heard about his Rare Earth records  – Great stuff  !!

Neil Stephen Partrick… Was he IN Rare Earth?

Alan Esdaile… No. Dan The Banjo Man singles were released on Rare Earth Records. His biggest hit, under the name Springwater was I Will Return.

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Planets – Mins studio 1974

Paul Edmonds, Chris Meachen, Paul Waite, Les Norman, Min

Gerry Fortsch… I was friendly with min and then lost contact, can someone tell me what happened to him please?

Glenn Piper… Sorry Gerry, but Min died several years ago now, heart attack I think

Gerry Fortsch… I remember he enjoyed life a lot, as did many of us at the time, thank you.

Martin Richter… simon medhurst ?

Harry Randall… Is that Min on the Clarinet? Went onto Sax?

Chris Baker… Min always played both Sax and Clarinet AFAIK. He was an excellent gold and silversmith too. Loved him.

Peter Norman… Never seen this before but that could be my brother Les Norman in that photo…? I know he played the guitar back then, next time i see him i’ll ask! 🙁 Sadly he’s not on facebook.., 🙁 I believe he also played in a group called “SUS” or something like that!

Alan Esdaile… t must be him Peter, as it says he was in Suss in the write up, underneath the photo. It would be great if you could get some comments from him about the group.

Pete Fisher… On seeing this I thought that guy on the drums looks familiar…nestling among my photos of Pueblo (taken by Chris Meachen), the photo I’m posting below has puzzled me for decades, as I couldn’t remember who it was. It must be around ’73/’74, but I only vaguely remember we might have experimented briefly with having two drummers, and I guess it was Paul Waite. Maybe Bernard Jeffery, Roger Carey or Phil Gill could fill in more details…

Bernard Goffredo… Yes I remember doing a gig at the college and we experimented with two drummers, and definitely was Paul on the other kit

Chris Meachen…  Ye gods, I’d completely forgotten about this.. Used to bump into Les in record shops a few years ago, but not seen him in ages.. (nor anyone else in these pics..). Yes, one of my pictures, but further details completely escape me.. If I manage to find that sequence of negatives I might be able to add some context…

Phil Gill… Paul Edmonds on the far left. Pete, we played a couple of times in the college basement, where the band was you and me on guitar, Roger Carey, and two drummers, Paul Waite and Bernie Jeffries. No idea what we called the band.

Jan Warren…  I remember Min, nice guy

Sam Davies… you know I’ve never heard of this particular band so this is fascinating! Does anyone know if there are any recordings of Planets? It’d be great to hear my old man playing some clarinet. Also, where was this studio? I don’t recognise it.

Chris Meachen… no recordings, I regret, but the studio was actually your grandfather’s, & was upstairs in a building next door to St Clements Church Hall in Croft Road..

Jan Warren… I lived in Queens Road and Middle Street in the early 70s and I remember Min, he was a friend, bless him

Chris Meachen… Weirdly, I bumped into Les Norman yesterday evening, doing his Aldi shopping.. Can’t have seen him for a good 20 years, so a nice surprise..

Stephen Fletcher… The other guy in photo is Paul Edmunds you didn’t mention him

Chris Meachen… Haven’t seen Paul Edmunds since the late 1970’s when we worked together at Arbuthnot House.. He changed his surname to his dad’s, – Wojciechowska, (pronounced ‘voy-ge-hoff-ski). Always regret losing touch with him & many other mates…

Stephen Fletcher… Anyone know if Paul Edmunds is still around or if he moved away?

Cherry Longley… I used to go out with Paul Edmunds, Sus was the group he formed with Paul Waite, Les Norman another near neighbour of Paul’s who lived around the corner, younger guy can’t recall his name, and sometimes Chris Beaumont used to play keyboards. They used to jam in his music room at his parents bungalow in Park View. Happy times, lots of gigs and trips to all over to see Hawkwind, Pink Fairies, etc etc. Cherry xx

Paul Edmonds… Only three years plus late responding but forgiven as only just come across this posting and site, however, must have seen the site before as note I made at least one comment on a post before. Hi Cherry, think we last spoke in 1970 something, amazing to see your name in print and read your comments. Just to put the record right it’s Edmonds with a “o”, not with a “u” and once Chris M., I aka Wojciechowski, not ending with “a” which I believe is used for females of the name, but Chris incredible you nearly got the name right and how to pronounce it, impressed!! Was great reading through all above comments from names I recall so well. Would be fun to meet up with all who know me for a social before it’s too late!!! Food for thought. I will try and locate a Chris Beaumont taken picture of the incredible SUS and post it, unfortunately Cherry, without that youngster, basist Jim Kidman, who was not around that day!! Finally, although lots more to say really, I was never in Planets just around holding a spare skull and got pulled into the shot!! Love and peace !!!