SMART coffee meet report number 72

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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.

 

 

Hastings Memorial 1950’s from a different angle!

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shared from Jeff Evans Hastings and St Leonards Pictures and Videos https://www.facebook.com/groups/340548556033905/user/1267645523

Jeff Evans… had to reduce the file size of another glass plate photograph: Hastings Town: early 1950’s

Lloyd Johnson… The Council should put back as it was!…

Alan Esdaile… Great photo. Trying to work out what building this was taken from. Thinking Lyons but probably further down?

Leigh Kennedy… first floor of what is now Lloyd’s Bank..

Colin Bell… Didn’t it look so much better then with a central focus point

Roger Simmonds… Wish it was still like it now!

John Wilde… Fantastic.

Toker Tokin… The feeling of the place then ,was a feeling of content, with the majority of people.

Peter Ellingworth… Pre 1957 for sure, t-bus still in Hastings Tramways and not M&D livery.

Jimmy James R.I.P.

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John Gale… RiP Jimmy

Colin Bell… So sorry to hear this, had some great times together RIP Jimmy

Alan Esdaile… Great singer, very sad.

Merv Kennard… Have always liked his songs.

Mick O’Dowd… So sad! Brilliant live performer and had some good tunes along the way. First caught on to him in early 60’s. Then had an album called “Live at the Marquee” which featured Jimmy & Vagabonds on one side and The Alan Bown on the other. Great stuff. Saw him last with Edwin Starr at Bognor Butlins on a soul weekender!

Robert Searle… First artist to have a hit with Red Red Wine. Neil Diamond wrote it never to become a hit, Jimmy James RIP

Remembering George Boag

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shared from: Michael Wells https://www.facebook.com/groups/340548556033905/user/1187605551

Michael Wells… This chap is Boag he was a traveler and a tramp and he walked hundreds of miles, he lived on the Golf course along Filsham and he was loved by all of the locals here including the children, if ever there was a garden party here he was always invited even if it was a posh one, he came from a very wealthy family and was himself very intelligent but loved living as a free spirit, the town offered to house him but he refused because he liked the free life, we all as kids liked him because he was so kind and a real gentle soul yes I forgot to put his first name as one viewer noticed it was George and his surname was pronounced Bo-Ag.

Andy Hemsley… Great story.

Colin Bell… I remember Dad telling me Boag used to give me sweets when he saw me out with Dad when I was a toddler growing up in Bexhill Road & how everybody loved Boag.

Mick O’Dowd… Remember him well with his old tatty army coat. No-one was frightened of him especially kids and I don’t believe he suffered any verbal or physical abuse because of his looks. A gentle giant!

Sid Saunders… My mother talked to him a lot and said what a gentleman he was.

David House… He looked like a decent chap

The Nite People plus Orange Certificate – Hastings Pier 18th May 1968

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supplied by Sarah Harvey

Sarah Harvey… The Nite People. Hastings Pier. May 18th, 1968. Originated from Bournemouth 1965. Nite People were signed to Fontana records in 1966 before signing to Page One in 1969. Recorded couple of demos for Avenue Artists 1967 at Bob Potter’s studio in Mytchett, Surrey and in London, 1969 to be included on their LP for Page One records entitled P.M.. They disbanded in 1970.
Their sole album originally issued in 1970 on the collectable Page One label and one of their rarest releases. Progressive/psychedelic sound dominated by Hammond organ/guitar with cool jazz-funk and rare-groove touches, including the mod-club classic “P.M.,” the superb instrumentals “Funky Hoe” and a top cover of Frank Zappa’s “Peaches en Regalia,” among others.

Spyke and Performance – Falaise Hall Hastings 17th May 1975

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Martin Richter…  I can feel my foot tapping

Pete Millington… Spyke at that time were -Ginger Millington, Terry Chedzoy and Ian Williams

Colin Fox… Yet another one for my collection. Cheers

Alan Esdaile… Looks like you missed this one Colin, as the later advert says Performance has split up.

 

Colin Fox… No wonder I couldn’t remember this gig.

Pete Millington… Same here Colin – I was thinking that I’d lost the plot. Spyke as a Trio would bave been blown away by a 6 piece, I would certainly have remembered the experience. Phew SPYKE survived!

Mazda MX-5 advertisement Hastings Pier 1990

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post from Hastings Pier Community Archive https://www.facebook.com/hastingspiercommunityarchive

HPCA… This Mazda MX-5 advertisement stages 1960s Mods on a dilapidated Pier in 1990.In the 1960s, Hastings Pier reinvented itself as an important music venue, attracting major bands like The Who and Jimi Hendrix. Like other seaside towns, Hastings became the destination of mods and rockers on Summer Bank Holidays. Even though these ‘mods’ are staged, the details of their style and clothing are well observed.
Ray Nickson… Didn’t Birchwood Ford put on a motor show on the pier back in about 1979 ?