Floral clock – White Rock Gardens Hastings 1959

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Jim Peckham… Used to have one of those in Tunbridge Wells. But like so many things it got vandalised so never replaced

Alan Roberts… Remember the clock well, I used to plant and maintain it when I worked for Parks and Gardens. Unfortunately parents thought it was great to let their children sit on the hands shearing the drive pin. There was a cookoo that came out of the wall behind but that was before my time! Clock workings were under the shelter above.

Jacqueline Marsh… I remember seeing that as a little girl

Carol Acott… Jacqueline, so do l

Lynda Whatley… me too – it was fascinating to see it as a child

John Mcewen… Remember it well.

Betty Austin… I remember it it was lovely each year . And the hospital was opposite.

Mick O’Dowd… Loved this. A pity it isn’t still there but that’s thanks to the low-life over the years re: The Model Village etc. Nice to see it again.

Trying to locate members of Bern Elliott & The Klan

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Michele Wilson asks…

I am trying to locate the old band members of Bern Elliott’s group The Klan. They were on Ready Steady Go 4th September 1964. Can you help me. I am trying to put a programme together about the band. Thanks. Miles & Michele Wilson.

Terry Lucas… Hi luv I tidied Bern and The Klan Dave cameron, ex Fleewrekkers, lead guitar, Tim Hughes rhythm guitar and vocals( passed away) Andy Knottley skins, Trevor Haworth bass I think, memory is failing me, this might help though

Michele Wilson… Hi Good to be in touch, I was Tims sister. I remember you well. Please send me details of Bern Elliot and any e-mils to get in touch with. Love to tlk to you again. Michele

Bob Pateman… Hi – I know of Tim Hughes more as a Hasher than a musician. I just looked up the Fernmen on Wikipedia and did not see Tim listed as a band member? Any explanation?

Roger Humphries… Terry Lucas. …. I’m sure that John (Silbey) Pierce was the bass player with The Klan. and the band also had an organist (Vox Continental) played by a guy who lived in Maidstone Road, Chatham.

Roger Humphries… John Pearce was definitely the bass player with The Klan. …. When the band split he joined Candy Choir and in 1968 he became a police officer based in Kent. …. John is on Facebook.

John Pearce… Hi There, I’m John Pearce and was the bass player of Bern Elliott & The Klan when it was formed in 1964. In any documentation you have about the band, it will show my name as Jon Silby Pearce. This was the idea of Ronnie Vaughan Bern’s manager, Silby being my second Christian name and H being dropped from John was also his idea. If you need any further info I’d try to help.

John Pearce… in reply to Bob Pateman… Tim Hughes was rhythm guitarist of The Klan and I played bass. We were both head hunted from a semi pro group called The Cortinas based in the Medway Towns when The Klan was formed. Tim passed away some years ago, I believe in Thailand.

Lee Elliott… Hi I’m Berns son Lee, my email is leebelliott@yahoo.co.uk

John H Warburg… (in reply to Terry Lucas) Bern Elliott on lead vocals (b. Bernard Michael Elliott, November 17, 1942, Erith), Dave ‘Tex’ Cameron on lead guitar (b. David Cameron, October 21, 1939, Ealing, West London), Tim ‘Magic’ Hughes on rhythm guitar (b. Timothy John Patrick Hughes, 1944, Little Ashton Park, Staffordshire d. Friday, January 23, 1998, Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand), John Pearce on bass, a guy on Vox Continental organ and Pete Adams on drums (b. Peter Adams).

Harry Barned… (in reply to John Pearce) This a long shot, but my name is Harry Barnes and I have stumbled on this text trail by accident, but I do have an interest and a connection. I played lead guitar and vocals for a band called Ray Cleveland and the Statesmen, we too were managed by Ronnie Vaughan along with Steve Marriott and the Moments. I would dearly love to catch up with any of the band, but for years I have failed on social media. So, if anyone, Roy Lucas (bass), Ray Dickinson (vocals) etc, please contact me at admin@barnes-net.com
Cheers

Jimmy McMaster… Peter J. Mason was the organist and there was also an Andy Torley listed as a sax player (maybe for session). I live in Australia and got this info from a magazine called Fabulous in 1964.

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Ruth Bodle R.I.P.

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supplied by Paul Durrant

“Ruth Bodle who featured in the early line up of Damaris has died. Ruth went on to have a nursing and midwifery career in Hastings and then in Scotland and be mother to three children Ruth went to Hastings High School for Girls and was part of the fun-loving Fiesta crowd as a teenager. Her friends from the seventies will remember Ruth for her gentle and caring nature.” Paul Durrant.

John Wilde… Dear Ruth, rest in peace sweet Woman.

Marilyn Spence… Awe that’s sad I went to that school also.

Alan Esdaile… I do remember her from the Fiesta days. Very sad news.

Jacquie Hinves… Jesus! What a shock. RIP Ruth. Xx

Andrew Freeman… Very sorry to hear this sad news. I knew Ruth from a young age and always remember her as a kind caring person. RIP dear Ruth.

Di Veness… I remember Ruth from school. Very sad to hear this.

Petra Stevens… I remember Ruth from the high school. Sad to hear the news. RIP

Linda Russell…. My childhood friend and neighbour RIP xx

Dave Nattress… Just read this and very shocked. Gutted my Friday evening. I knew Ruth through Paul and saw her play in Damaris and then took over vocals from her and Paul was of course a great mate back in the day. Paul – so very sorry to hear this! Very best wishes.

Richard and Lucy Ive…. Lucy Ive (Davy) Ruth! Just how I will always remember you – and the wonderful times we had- especially those early years in Hastings – rest in peace and heartfelt sympathy to all your loved ones.

Cathie Murphy… Our dear Ruth – my much loved Sister -in-Law . God bless you Ruth, you will be remembered with love by everyone. xxx

Dave Nattress… Meant to say earlier what a lovely, sweet, friendly, beautiful girl Ruth was. Always thinking back to the Damaris days and “The Ballad of Damaris” which I remember seeing her singing the first time I saw them. Seemed like maybe she was Damaris? The subject of the song. Got the lyrics somewhere. Paul was a mate from Hastings College, same studies as me, hence I got to know Ruth and to see her with Damaris. So long ago. A life so short. X

Iain and Jo Cobby… Oh my God, Paul, you always said that Ruth’s life would be short due to her type 1 diabetes, how we had great times all those years ago. I am sitting here down in Cornwall trying to keep it together, my dear friend. I hope you find solace in your children and your live together. ” I looked across the valley and the flood, the mist obscured the moon. I saw a lady standing there, risen from her tomb.” the Ballard of Damaris.

Clive Richardson… I remember Ruth well from the Fiesta days. She was a very nice person. I’m very sorry to hear of her passing.

Nick Webb… I don’t have enough words to say how sad it was to hear this news Ruth was so fun to be around I was lucky to be a good friend of her and Paul alway even when they left Hastings and Paul and I have aways kept in touch. That picture of Ruth brings back so many joyful memories of the times spent in the Fiesta and The Old Town pubs Rip lovely lady .

Helen James… I went to school with Ruth. Very sad news

Danny Murphy… So so sad, she was the loveliest. God bless aunty Ruth, you will be missed by us all xxx

Judith Durham R.I.P.

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1970 photo © Allan Warren

Iris Feighan…. Lovely voice- RIP

Nick Prince… RIP Judith. I was lucky enough to interview her and I got to see The Seekers twice

Ann Hogg… Such a lovely voice.

John Wilde… I can still hear her voice, soar high Judith.

Chris Howard…So very sad one of the greatest voices from the sixties. R.I.P. Judith show them how good you are in Heaven.xx.

Christopher Parry… It’s a sad loss

Colin Norton… RIP Judith

Robert Searle… RIP Judith

David Wilkinson… Her carnival is over

Jacquie Hinves…I loved her and her music with the Seekers. Morning Town train, Georgie Girl . All memories of the60’s RIP Judith .

Dave Nattress… Beautiful voice

JS Bythesea… The Carnival is Over

Lyn Farkley Appleyard… So distinctive ~ Rip Judith and thank you. Total respect

Claire Melhuish-Durkin… Aww the carnival is definitely over, so sad to say goodbye.

Lyn Humphrey… What a shame. She had the most beautiful voice.

Chris Sambrook R.I.P.

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I’m very sorry to announce that I have just heard that Chris Sambrook has died. Very sad news.

John Wilde… Oh no. This is very sad, he wasn’t very old, sincere condolences to his family.

Mike Curtis… Awful news.

Wendy Weaver… So young to have passed. R.I.P. Chris.

Liane Carroll… Oh no. So sorry to hear this.

Reg Wood… So sorry hadn’t seen him for some time but really nice guy.

Steve Cooke… So sad. R.I.P. Chris

Phil Gill…. Very sorry to learn this, he was a really nice guy. My condolences to his family.

David Kent… R.I.P. Chris. Really nice bloke.

Margaret Trowell… Oh noooo. How very sad. Such a lovely guy and a real gentleman. Condolences to his family he will be very much missed

Martin Richter… sad news – RIP Marvin x

Kevin White…Sad news, he was a lovely guy, I haven’t seen him for a while. Condolences to his family.😢

Sue Strong… Sad news remember him in the 70s

Nicola Rytlewski… My dad’s drummer, played at my wedding, sad news

Steve Kinch…Very sad news, indeed! I remember Chris being a regular on Hastings pier during the 70s whenever there was anything half decent on. A true music lover! RIP Chris

Andy Qunta… So sorry to hear this! Chris was a lovely guy! When Tony Qunta & I first moved to the Hastings area in 1969, we advertised for a drummer. Chris answered and joined our band, which was called Static Emotion. Every Saturday we rehearsed all day at a youth club. We would bring sandwiches & records to play at the lunch break. Chris brought a lot of great music I heard for the first time, including Led Zeppelin II. We played quite a few fun gigs over the next several months of the band’s existence. Thanks for the great memories, Chris! Gone, but not forgotten. RIP, old friend.

Angela Frances Gardner… Andy, he looks familiar. Such a sad loss to the music scene of Hastings

Huggy Leaver… Sad news, roll in peace x

Colin Norton… RIP Chris

Tim Moose Bruce… Sad news. I remember Chris with Cracked Mirror. Great drummer. R.I.P

Tony Qunta… Very sorry to hear of this. Chris was one of the first musicians Andy and I got to know when we moved to Hastings in 1969. Every week Chris would turn us onto the new albums he had bought that week. We will miss you

Steve Burt… Sad news.

Andy Knight… Really sorry to hear this news, being drummers we didn’t play together but bumped into each other a lot in the early fun days around Hastings and Battle RIP Chris

Alan Esdaile… errible news.I knew Chris going back to my teenage years, at gigs, record shops and seeing him playing in many groups. So sad.

Pete Prescott… Very sad.a lovely guy. Condolences to his family.

Pete Fisher… Rock In Peace Chris. He turned me on to a lot of great music. Also many happy memories of playing with him – we had a band late 1971/early 1972, but it never got past the jamming stage. He had a wonderful sense of humour and we had many a lengthy pub crawl of a Saturday when we laughed so much together. My condolences to his family.

Bernard Goffredo… I remember him from my younger days, sad news

Paul Sleet… Sad news indeed. Have known him a long time. RIP

Phil Thornton… Terrible news ! RIP Chris. One of the first band gigs I ever did was supporting ‘Bracken’ (sp ?) at the Manor Barn in Bexhill – very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about bands/music and an all round nice guy, I will miss him !!

Phil Little… What sad news, he was a lovely bloke RIP Chris.

Jacquie Hinves… Dearest Sam RIP my friend . As the masters Fleetwood Mac would say “then play on” Join the greats of Hastings musicians. RIP

Christine Giles… Lovely guy very sad news

Willie Wicking… Sad news great drummer lovely guy R.I.P Chris

Jon McCallion… So sorry to hear that such a lovely man I have some very fond memories of him. RIP Chris

Neil Cartwright… Chris? Totally unexpected. What happened? Played with him many times. Lovely guy !!

Jack Irving… Sorry to have lost such a good buddy.

Chris Meachen… Bloody nice bloke, shared some good times back in the day.. Sad news indeed…

Lyn Farkley Appleyard… Rip Chris…..

Graham Howe… Very sad news. Spent a lot of time together in the early 70s.

Roger Carey… Very sorry to hear about Chris, sad news indeed… when I first tried to form a band Chris was the drummer I asked and I’d wanted to join his instrumental duo ” Bracken”. We did eventually play together in Joe Rytlewski’s band “The Pullbacks” and had some good gigs and laughs…Chris was a good player and very knowledgeable about the music scene….

Tony Court-holmes… r.i.p old mate

Paul Durrant… Very sorry to hear this. Chris had such a great sense of humour as others have said. You’d always bump into him on the pier at just about every gig. He was also the master of “Danger Will Robinson” impersonations from Lost in Space!

Sandra Francis… Chris and I lived together for several years, and bought a house on the West Hill. He was drumming with the Pullbacks when I met him, headed by Joe Rytlewski. He was in at the beginning with Hastings Rock; a lot of the music played in the early days was due to his loan of his albums, of which there were hundreds! I remember accompanying him to his sessions on Hastings Rock; I manned the phones in the dairy a few times ….I remember the damp basement on Trinity Square too. Chris was only 68, too young to die. My youngest was quite upset to hear that he’d died; Shannon was really little when we met Chris; Chris’s parents doted on him! Happy days, a long time ago now. R.I.P Chris, we won’t forget you

Richard Turner… Sad to hear Chris has passed 🙁 remember him drumming with my uncle Chris Turner always seemed a nice fella

Colin Winn… I too, am very sorry to hear this news. Chris took over Cracked Mirror drumming duties following Barry Wood’s departure to The States (Joe Rytlewski, Steve Smile, and myself as vocalist. I knew him only a relatively short time, but liked him a lot. Condolances to his family & other, clearly, living, friends.

Cathie Murphy… So sorry to hear that Chris had died – also remember well his “Danger Will Robinson” impersonations! Happy memories of the old town in the 70’s.

Iain and Jo Cobby… So sorry to hear this, by just posting a tribute to Ruth, Chris was a real nice guy , always around the scene in the seventies onward, never got to play with him, RIP and the same age as me…………

Nick Prince… I am very sorry to hear this. Chris was one of the guys that used to take over from on the very first Hastings Rock

Kings Country Club Posters – Eastbourne 1970’s

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supplied by  Andre Palfrey-martin collection

Janine Anne Hemsley…Yayyyyyyyyyy I was in Meridian lol. I was 15 .

Redstar Richter… Charles case?

Robert Searle… I remember The Clarke Elsom Collection supporting many stars there, with Graham Clarke on bass guitar.

Gary Kinch…. I  only went there once, enjoyed it at the time. Does anyone remember who the owner was?

Andre Martin… Ray King owned the club, but the real Boss was Mrs King, a lady that you did not cross, only if it were your last moments on this earth, don’t get me wrong, she was a very nice person, but was in control. Ray was a great person to work for, spent 5 yrs on the Entertainments team. Here is ” The Guv ” taken at a Municipal Event in Eastbourne in mid 70s.- I enjoyed working for him.

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Andre Palfrey-martin collection

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Andre Palfrey-martin collection – around 1979

Jane Hartley… I worked in one of the Hastings pier shops early 80’s, lots of performers at Whiterock used to wander around the pier before their show. Met many, including the Dooleys!

Gary Cripps… Bring back the club it was brilliant

Andre Martin… YES but we sadly do not have the quality of acts that were about at the time to make all these clubs such great entertainments centres. Time changes demands. All we can do is remember just how lucky we were to be part of that great generation – the Boom years.

Rick Bonner… I was virtually raised in Kings Country Club. During the 1970’s my dad was a resident performer called ‘The Peter Bonner Duo’. Later, dad’s drummer Barry Gocher formed a resident band called ‘Meridian’ which I was luck enough to join as a vocal/instrumentalist. Kings back then was a unique, amazing venue than became more like a second family to the regular members. I will never forget ‘Nan’ on the door smoking her cigarettes or the lovely Reg in the car-park directing the cars. Very special times for sure! Look on the Facebook site under ‘Kings Country Club’ for one the great reunion show that happen during the year.

 

Die Laughing Savage Hearts & Flat Battery – 6th August 1983

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supplied by Mick Mepham

Andy Qunta… Die Laughing – great band!

Michael Mepham… Andy, I love you and I want your children …..

Tim Moose Bruce… Theres your childminding sorted Andy…

Dave Nattress… You know what chaps, one of the very nicest things about this website is that in remembering all the local bands, gigs, musicians, DJ’s, all of us trying our best, everyone is kind, supportive, says nice things and speaks so well of everyone else. This post of Die Laughing is a great example!! Rock on!!

Wendy Weaver… One of the band worked in the Tax Office, cant remember his name. I think they were waiting to go to university. They seemed to practice an awful lot They got a gig playing on the pier I think to replace someone who had cancelled. it would have been about 1980 or so.