smart meet – SMART

SMART coffee meet report number 72

Our 72 meet and the sun was shining! Among the newbies this time were Steve Avery, Barbara White and Geoff Fearn. Steve had with him a large bag full of cassettes, Slade, Madness, Quadrophenia etc which is what he always took away when he was a merchant sailor. He also has happy memories when he roadied for Elvis Costello on the pier. Geoff was chatting about when he used to love going to all the clubs including The Witch Doctor, Aquarius and Bonitas, he also had some great times when he was touring with Judge Dread. Dave Muriel had a photo album which included inside photos of the house in Foyles War. Lloyd Johnson had a bumper book from Motor-Lucifer Japan, of his very collectable rock ’n’ roll clothing range La Rocka! Chris Stovold had cd’s of the MonaLisa Twins who play Beatles and more covers and highly recommends them. Pete Houghton had with him autographed posters from The Cobweb and autograph singles from Led Zeppelin, Slade, Mobiles and others. Anthony ‘Nan’ Morland had The Story of Hastings Pier 1982 book, Priory Road School book ‘The Priory’ from 1959 which included a bizarre WH Smith advert. He also had a very early Gaiety Picture Theatre programme. Barry French had sheet music of Clodagh Rodgers Jack In The Box and Sandie Shaw Puppet On A String which has the stamp of Attwells St Leonards on the cover. He also had an album from Duane Eddy and a collection of Ringo Starr singles. Ian Marketis had some wonderful photos of Tina Turner, from the Wildest Dreams tour, when she was at Wembley Stadium. Together with CD, tour programme and ticket from Cadbury. 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.

Cris and Merv Kennard… Big thank you to Alan for getting us all together again.

Colin Bell… Good to see the two of you

Claire Lonsdale… Great afternoon as usual Alan. Thank you xxx

Jackie Hersee… I am away at the moment so could not come. I hope to be at the next one though

Lance Collins… One day I will be able to finish work early and come and see you all

Monica Bane… Sorry I didn’t stay long but it was meant to be as family do In the old town! Looking forward to next meeting

David Martin… Sorry I couldn’t make it today Alan , see you all next time

Wendy and Graham Weaver… Great afternoon. Thanks Alan.

Linda Boiling… Sorry I couldn’t make it yesterday. Hope to be there next time.

Start Moir… Paul Burton and Don Climpson playing with the bands up above us RIP guys miss you loads .

Mick O’Dowd… Another good afternoon although a little cramped du to the temporary rooms. Nice chats and interesting people,

Colin Bell… Great, as ever, to see & catch up with everyone & an ‘alfresco’ bonus space!

Peter Ellingworth… Sorry not able to attend this meet Alan, but will next one. Thanks for all you do in organising these.

Dave Jenkins… A fantastic afternoon , especially meeting new people and sharing music interest.

SMART 14 coffee meet report. Another great meet and taking over more of the bar area. Among the new people to join were Tony May and Malcolm Hutchison. Eric brought along The Weeping Crocodiles cassette and a book called Future Days Krautrock the definitve book on German Rock . Yvonne Cleveland has found some more The Pullbacks photos when they had Clive Vick on drums. Mick O’Dowd brought along the complete soul singles series on cd’s as well as an update on his pier cuttings. Still looking for more pier cuttings, posters, photos etc. Andy Gunton and The Stinger magazine is working on a very interesting project ‘Music Heritage Tourism’. Hastings is rich in music history and the talent keeps on coming. More information here and in Issue 5 of the Stinger soon, as he would like others involved, with comments, ideas etc. Phil John had a great bundle of sheet music, including the rare Rolling Stones Good Times, Bad Times. Also I think I saw a Led Zeppelin book being passed around? Lol Cooksey never lets us down and has some some photos of his band ‘Fokker Triplane’ and some early ‘6T’s’ photos. Other chat.. bottle alley, cobweb, witchdoctor, try a different venue(re: Kevin Townsend suggestions), beach concert, record players, Pink Floyd new album, Essence, Cilla, Dave Lee Travis, greatest guitar riffs, David Bowie & Queen on BBC4, Robert Tressell gig and when’s the next meeting. This is just a small part of what was talked about and what I can remember. What did I miss and can anyone add anything?

Sarah Harvey…. A simply wonderful afternoon with a wonderful bunch of people! xx

Tony May… It was a cracking meet this afternoon. Thanks to Alan (Johnny Mason) for introducing me to so many nice and interesting people and making sure I felt welcome on my first meeting.”

Yvonne Cleland… It was a great SMART meeting yesterday! xxxxxxxxx

Mick O’Dowd… Another high octane meeting beautifully put together by The Master himself, Alan. Well done Alan.

Alan Esdaile… I thought that’s a nice comment Mick but then again does he mean by high octane, I’m full of a lot of wind and hot air!

Jim Breeds… I think someone should take along one of them new fangled cassette recorders to future meets, and then blogged, so that some of us exiled Hastingers can get an education. A kind of distance learning. On the other hand, I really should tray to get along to one – do you create Facebook events for these Alan? I do see your announcements in advance but I always forget until I see your reports. Yvonne’s good at FB events – I know exactly how many Titus gigs I’ve missed. 🙂 Sounds like an interesting and diverse meet. I did have a double take though when I read it the first time and mistakenly thought it said “Dave Lee Travis greatest guitar riffs”!

Matt Thomas… Was going to pop in but couldnt get parked close enough

Philip John… don’t forget that tall grey haired woman name of Val, first timer. Gather she was a music journalist .Amongst many other things she was in a band that went to Vietnam in 1967 to play for the troops. Got to be a great story there !

Alan Esdaile… Thanks Phil. Didn’t get much time to chat to her but hopefully she will be at the next one, as sounds very interesting.