Alan Green And His Boys – Hastings Pier 1938

Supplied by Kay Lobb via Jim Breeds HAPP Facebook page.

Jim Breeds… Here’s a great photo from Kay Lobb, who writes “Found this old postcard at my mother’s flat today. It shows Alan Green and His Boys on Hastings Pier in 1938. My mother still remembers nights spent on the pier, dancing to them.”

Nicki Dann… That’s my grandad !

Alan Esdaile… They are sitting on the staircase that went up to the upper small function room(before you got to the toilets and the long bar area). Looks like the same lino on the stairs in the 60’s/70’s !

Pete Fairless… Yes, twin staircases to the Palm Court.

Andre Martin… Spot on guys

Brian Dove… I think that top row right hand as you look at it is William Cook – Violin, Sax, Clar.

Pete Fairless… Did they ever record anything?

Alan Esdaile… Yes Pete, this one

Clifford Exton… The man sitting on the bottom step right side of Alan Green is my father Ken Exton he was a trumpet player in this photo he is 26 years old

Clare Watts… Wow … Alan Green is my great grandad . It’s great to see a picture of him and the band . .

Ena Nicholls… I would like to know who is sitting on the left of Alan Green, my father was in the band later. I have a photo of  this man with my dad Billy Nicholls. Thank you.

Jean Wheel… I found this same photo of the band tucked into a book yesterday! It’s signed by them on the reverse. Never seen it before – a mystery….

supplied by Jean Wheel

 

 

The Temperance Seven performing on Hastings Pier on 14th April 1962

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Photo by Anthony Morland. Supplied by Pete Millington.

Colin Fox… Saw them in a club in Sunderland when we were touring the north east in early 1970’s. Unfortunately not many people in the club, but they were brilliant and very funny.

Iain Cobby… Does that mean that the great Peter Grant who was their road manager later to be Led Zeppelin’s guru walked the boards of the Pier?

Mike O’Dowd… Skiddy-iddy-iddy……… For the uninformed who think i’ve finally lost it. the lyrics from the b-side of Pasadena single entitled Sugar.

Pauline Richards… Temperance 7 that’s a blast from the past!!

Jazz, Jive and Swing at Terminus Hotel, Eastbourne 1949

supplied by David McLean

Martin Richter… great pics

Margie Watts-Carter… love to put names to all those faces.

Colin Brown… Terminus Hotel was a Pub. Opposite now closed Debenhams. Must have been in a Room upstairs.

Paul Ursell… I had my wedding reception in the dance hall up stairs when Gordon and Ivy Allard had the Terminus Hotel. I’ve got a plate from the reception that Ivy gave us.

 

Ricky Norman Sound – 1970’s.

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supplied by Len Smith Eastbourne Bands From 1960 on.

Ricky Long… First picture 1976 at Moor Hall Hotel. L–R Norman Bennett, Ricky Long, Roland Dann, Marcy Scott. Second picture I think early 70’s Winter Gardens. Same 3 guys with Jillian Wheeler.

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Queens Hotel Hastings 17th May 1974.

Janine Anne Scott… Omg, I worked with Ricky too.

Andy Knight… By coincidence I am trying to track down Chris Dann, Roland Dann’s son who played bass with me around 1968/69, we did a gig in Battle Road, St Leonards I recall for the Youth Choir, with a guitarist whose name I can’t remember (Gary rings a bell though), if anyone knows the whereabouts of Chris or Gary that would be good. Tx

Christopher Dann… Hi Andy,  just saw this post so apologies for the late reply.  I do remember the gig in Battle road for the youth choir. The guitarist’s name was Gary Trent and he played a Gibson. He was in my class at the Grove.  I seem to remember that we only knew a couple of songs  !!

Looking for information on Malcolm Wrenn (might be Wren)

John Gale… This is going to be a very long shot, but im looking for any photos or a connection to a little “” combo ” my late dad played in back in the 70s, Dad played drums and he hooked up with a keyboard player from Battle, called Malcolm Wrenn (might be Wren),,, I think at one stage they had a guitarist / vocalist called Dave , but he emigrated. They went under the name of SOUNDS UF BLUE and had a number of residences, notably a weekend one, at the Railway Club, just above Warrior Sq Station on the hill going up from The Royal Pub opposite on the hill… It was always busy and there must have been others on here who ventured in there or even played there 🤞🤞. With all all the photos my dad had, we cannot find one of Malcolm. There’s a few of the club itself, I’m remember Malcolm being a nice guy and played a wicked Hammond style organ. They played covers of hits at that time Any info would be appreciated cheers (Dad would have looked like this below)

Shaun Pont… The name rings a bell with me. I think he went to Claverham when the school opened in 1955 with my uncle. If he is who I think he is then he lived on Battle Hill in the 1980’s.

John Gale… he lived opposite the petrol station down St Mary’s Terrace on the right,,, waa married but I can remember his wife’s name

Rob Welford… Malcolm was my uncle, unfortunately he passed away just before Christmas having spent the last couple of years in a home suffering from parkinsons aged 79. His wife Catherine (Kay) still lives in Battle.

John Gale… omg. That’s so sad , Please pass my condolences onto Rob and his family, I will let mum know., she will be very sad. Thank you for passing onto me Alan.

Keita Wrenn…. Hi, only just seen this. I am the daughter of Malcolm, if you would like to contact me please do. keitawtenn@gmail.com

John Gale… Keita, I will email you, dad was your dad’s drummer.

Dance Bands – 1950’s Hastings Pier – name that band?

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supplied by Alex Chapman – West Marina To Hastings Pier

Alex Chapman… A bit early for you but someone wanted to know the name of this band. Any ideas?

Janine Anne Hemsley… It definitely not Teds band but I recognise the alto sax player. Alec Bradley was his name . Will try to find out who H D was .

Jennifer Bate… I remember the Cecil Alden orchestra that played on the pier and Teddy Haig who played the piano both in the cafeteria and, in the evenings in the theatre with aNot her orchestra. I think the violinist who conducted was called Frank something, I cant think of his surname. So many memories of great holidays in Hastings at this time.

Matt Thomas… Ted Heath???

Peter Fairless… Is it John Gales dad?

John Gale… I’ve just zoomed in on the drummer Peter, doesn’t look like dad, think it’s a bit too early too, he was more early 60s. He did meet my mum on the pier in 1956. That’s a great photo all the same

Peter Fairless… Ah, I thought it probably was a bit early, you being a youngster, but you never know. Would be cool if anyone had a later picture that did have your Dad in it!

Colin Bell… The late 40’s early 50’s is where my Dad met my Mum dancing on The Pier. That ballroom has played a huge part in my life one way and another, they might have been at this very dance.

Phil Gill… Centre Page?

David Miller… That’s a powerful looking PA system they’re using there. what must the neighbours have said?

Janine Hemsley… This is an interesting one. Henry Hall?

Geoff Peckham… My Dad, Dave Peckham, played in dance bands from the Big Band days of the late 40s onwards. With the introduction of the portable and versatile electric organ and gradual decline in popularity of ballroom dancing, these bands became depleted in size. Luckily, my dad played bass so he continued to be busy playing often on Hastings Pier usually in quartets of sax, piano/organ, bass and drums. The final nail in the coffin was the ‘beat groups’, who became profuse and were cheaper. He hated them, once saying The Beatles were 5 minute wonders! Poor dad….then his son started playing in them!

Stephanie Blackledge… I cant be sure but think the saxophone player could be my grandad, Howard Birchall. He played for Ted Heath. He also played for Henry Hall but I think earlier

Jeff Belton… The band looks like a band my late dad used to play in. He played the saxophones, tenors and altos.

Jim Breeds… The initials on display look like HD. Usually the name of the band leader?

Stuart Moir… Big crowd I don’t think, wouldn’t have made a fortune there then

Martyn Baker… Nice to see they had a STEREO PA system though – even then

Alamo Leal… Most likely the same the Stones used when they played there in the early 60’s.

Gareth Doherty… Have done a bit of digging – it seems quite likely that it is Hector Davies

Peter Fairless… Late forties and early fifties…

Janine Hemsley… I read the HD as HH, should have gone to Specsavers.

Steve Cooke… Jennifer Bate – the violinist wouldn’t have been Frank Stapleton by any chance would it?

Nigel Ford… Pre-gastric…?

Michael Coller… Post-WWII (1945-1949) After the Second World War, Hastings Pier reopened in frugal times. Even so, the Hastings & St Leonard’s ‘What’s On’ guide for July 1947 lists Hector Davies & his broadcasting band giving concerts in the pavilion in the mornings and afternoons, and in the evening, there was dancing to the band.

Jim Breeds… I can’t find anything in the British Newspaper Archive’s collection of HSLO newspapers that references “Hector Davies” (I also tried “Hector Davis” in case of spelling.

Ted Crouch Trio – Chateau Anglais Alfriston September 1973

Ernest Ballard… I played with this band and then moved on to a band called the wheelers and did a summer season at Combe Haven caravan site in St Leonard’s. We played 6 nights cabaret and 3 lunch times playing tunes from the musical “ The King and I . Great reminder of this memory

Julie Morris… They used to play at the Easter tea dance on the pier every year! Happy days.

Janine Anne Scott… I did the Easter Tea Dances with Ted. Happy Days.

Stephanie Blackledge – Dad played with Ted for years

Ricky Long… Had some good times there.

Eddie Friedberg… Those were the good ol’ days xx

Ted Crouch and his band – Alexandra Hotel 1973

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Julie Morris… Any posters of his Easter appearances on the Pier Alan?

Alan Esdaile… Had a quick look Julie but can’t find anything at the moment. If anything crops up I will let you know.

Alan Oliver… I thought The Alex would have closed down by 1973

Alan Esdaile… I know Spyke did a residency in 1972 Alan. Anyone confirm when The Alexandra Hotel closed as might be wrong on the date?

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supplied by  Sarah Harvey

Jenny ‘Crouch’ Hayler… Ah my grandad x

The Happy Ballroom and more 29th January 1966 by Andre Martin

January is going past very quickly, we are now at Saturday 29th January 1966, and from all accounts the weather has turned a little bit cold, but more about that later. The Happy Ballroom remains the same, closed, and cold and quiet! The wind, rain and blustery sea is all that you hear when you wander down towards the sea end of the Pier.
The weekend would have kicked-off with Ready Steady Go on Redifussion TV at 6.30pm – on the show this week we saw Sandie Shaw “Tomorrow”: Small Faces “Sha La La La Lee”: The Who “ Circles”: Paul & Barry Ryan “ Have Pity on the Boy” the show would have been in the good hands of both Cathy & Keith. For those who might have had time to watch TV earlier that day, depending on your tastes, you might have seen Watch With Mother, Jackanory, Crackerjack and The New Comers !
Along towards the western end of the seafront, in Marine Court, the Witch Doctor is in full gear with entertainments 4 days a week, on Saturday we saw the return of “All Things Bright”, supported by “The Amboy Dukes”. Sunday Afternoon is now the regular slot for Trevor Olive with his Sunday Session. On Tuesday the Candlelight Spin is in the hands of a Witch Doctor regular Johnny Mann. Thursday Night is as always “ The Muscles Maxted Show “ All of these nights entertainments were tagged as “The Heat is On” – I will let you draw your own conclusions to that.
BBC TV & Radio output was very much the same, Saturday Radio – 10.00 “Saturday Club” with Brian Matthew and Matt Monro, Dusty Springfield, Fortunes, Silkie and The Echoes. 12.30 it was “The Jack Jackson Record Show”. 1.30pm : “Fanfayre” this week based on the music of Lionel Bart, later in the afternoon “Band Stand” with the music of the Band of The Grenadier Guards. 6.30pm Jazz with Herbie Goins & the Nightimers plus The Dave Davani Five. Early evening included “A Night at the Music Hall” and later the Ray Conniff Singers.
Sunday Radio, 10.30 : “Easy Beat” and noon “Two Way Family Favourites”, a weekly link up with UK and BAOR families and friends. The afternoon included Al Read, Jimmy Clitheroe and Joe Brown & the Bruvvers. “Pick of the Pops” preceeded “Movie Go Round” this week featured “The War Lord” “He who Rides a Tiger” and a special on the musical films of Elvis Presley.
Television on Saturday: “Grandstand”, “Juke Box Jury” with David Jacobs and his guests – Spencer Davis, Maurice Kinn, Marion Ryan and ano. The schedule later that evening included “Dr Who” : “Dixon of Dock Green” the film that evening was “ The Great Sioux Uprising “ starring Jeff Chandler. “Max Bygraves Entertains” & “Bewitched”
Sunday included “Bonjour Francoise” absolute beginners in French. Later in the day – The Lucy Show, Pinky & Perky, Songs of Praise, Dr Findlay’s Casebook and World Bobsleigh Championship from Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
Over on the Pirate Stations, Big L was going well, with the no 1 record for this week from the Overlanders – Michelle. Radio Caroline was having technical problems with regular transmissions as a result of running aground the previous week and never transmitted a top ten until the middle of February. That’s about all to report from 50 years ago, time is moving quickly and as mentioned the weather is colder!! But spring is just around the corner so we can look forward to some better weather – I hope. Until next week stay safe and warm.                         Andre Palfrey-Martin ©2016