Pete
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Post by Pete on Mar 27, 2023 10:42:22 GMT 1
Hi. This is a bit of a long-shot, but does anyone remember a Miss Sturgeon at the original Beckenham Clinic building on The Crescent, Beckenham? I used to attend speech therapy there as a kid in the 1950s and she was my therapist. She got married (possibly around 1959), but unfortunately I have no idea of her married name. I would love to know if she is still alive. Thanks.
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Pete
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Post by Pete on Feb 22, 2022 19:15:08 GMT 1
Thanks, Pete. Weren't the Junior and Senior Schools in the same complex? Were there multiple buildings? I just looked at my London A-Z, and Hawes Lane seems to be the street that the school is still on (although there must have been a back entrance to the "campus" from the path along the railway). In re-reading some of these posts, people are referring to subjects for older children that I obviously didn't have in Junior (Infants?), so I must be mistaken about this forum and which school people are referring to. I don't remember a Robert Minting, but if he knows any of the people I mentioned in my first post, then I probably went to school with him! Hi Bill, sorry again for the late reply. I only ever went to the senior school on Hawes Lane (now called Glebe School), so unfortunately can't give you much info re. the juniors at all - and to be honest, I didn't actually even know it existed back then as I went to Wickham Common School on Gates Green Road, Coney Hall! From what I can see though (on Google Maps), is that the two schools do actually link physically, but it appears the junior school was probably accessed from The Mead, so this will have been the entrance you refer to near the railway. There does seem to be an alleyway that leads to it from Hawes Lane, but I'm not sure if that was there when I was there. They definitely are (or were) two separate schools though. Regarding what you say about the posts on this page... Yes, they are mainly referring to the senior school. There is a Facebook page dedicated to the junior school, I'll see if I can find the link and send it to you. Hope this helps! UPDATE: Here is the link to the junior school... They seem to call it Spring Park Upper School, West Wickham, Kent. www.facebook.com/groups/13046887566
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Pete
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Post by Pete on Feb 14, 2022 13:59:05 GMT 1
Yes there was a church hall across from Holy Trinity. A friends elder sister was married in the church and had the reception in the hall They also had jumble sales there, and some friends and I used to go collecting jumble for the sale. Thanks Mack, it was all so long ago now... happy days!
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Pete
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Post by Pete on Feb 14, 2022 13:56:29 GMT 1
Hi Bill Kitcher. I think you must be referring to Hawes Down Junior school (mixed) here, as the Hawes Down referred to (I believe - without looking right back) was generally the boys senior school on Hawes Lane. I only went to the seniors, so unfortunately don't remember you. However, a friend of mine went to the junior school - his name was Robert Minting, if that's of interest to you... he was also into music, so you may have known him. I'm not sure what years he attended, but I suspect late 1950s/early 1960s.
You have some great stories! Happy days for some it seems, although definitely not for all - your words "selective memories" ring true, for sure.
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Pete
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Post by Pete on Feb 14, 2022 13:40:29 GMT 1
The only bass guitarist I remember residing in the district named Bill lived in flats opposite the old Beckenham and Penge grammar school. You would often see a large group of girls waiting around the entrance door to catch a glimpse of him. I think his surname was Wyman, wonder what happened to him? Sorry I missed this Mack - I really must check in here more often, I've been a tad lapse of late! Ha! yeah, I think I remember him - sadly, not the Bill I was looking for though!!!
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Pete
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Post by Pete on Jun 23, 2021 15:25:11 GMT 1
Hi. Can anyone remember the name of the nightclub that stood adjacent to Beckenham Junction station around 1966? I have a feeling it might have been called The Blue Hawaii but am not sure. With thanks, Pete Fisk A wealth of information here. It was the Mistrale ad here are some flyers with 1968 dates of gigs. Prior to 1968 it was the Beckenham Ballroom
Thanks Grantham, only just spotted this - will take an in depth look this evening.
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Pete
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Post by Pete on Nov 26, 2017 13:33:57 GMT 1
As I mentioned in the original Mistrale Club post - our band The Unattached played there, but slightly earlier than that of the more recently suggested opening date of 1968. From memory (it was long time ago!) we played there in 1966 or '67, but either way, just shortly after it changed it's name from Beckenham Ballrooms. So, if it was no longer Beckenham Ballrooms -but not yet The Mistrale Club -what was it called in between? Pete
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Post by Pete on Feb 27, 2017 15:38:41 GMT 1
View AttachmentWell there we go - scanned from good old-fashioned black and white prints. According to a note on the back taken Xmas 1967. Venue was the Clock House Cafe. Chris (bottom left) and yours truly (bottom right) had Ariel Arrows, the young lady I believe was called Roz. Who are the other chaps? Great pics old biker, thanks for posting them! I really wish I could say I recognise anyone, but sadly I don't - it was all so long ago, but I do seem to remember someone with an Ariel Arrow. EDIT: Looking back at the pics... the faces (without helmets) are starting to seem familiar, I just wish I could be more positive, but as I said, it was all so long ago. I would definitely have been around at the time, although by then I was possibly flying around in my old Zephyr - the Ford Zephyr being the traditional 'go-to' after the bike and especially useful during the winter if you had a young lady in tow! I think I still had my bike Christmas '67, but can't be sure. If I was still on my bike it would either have been the old BSA Golden Flash with Steib chair, or a Royal Enfield Continental GT. I got back on the bikes (the RE) after being frustrated tied to 4 wheels, but I don't think that lasted that long again and I eventually ended up back with the car - my next being a metallic green Vauxhall Velox. Either way, thanks again for posting these pics, they are great to see - the name Roz rings a bell, can you remember anything more about her? I've attached some pics, one on the BSA (taken in Queens Road, just around from the Cafe), and the two cars - the Zephyr pic was taken on Farnaby Road, Shortlands and the Vauxhall Velox in 1969, but in Lincolnshire. PS.. do you remember old Maurice's tea? I can still see him standing there behind the big old urn - and to this day, whenever I make er-indoors a cuppa tea I always refer to it as a 'Cup of Old Maurice"!
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Pete
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Post by Pete on Jan 28, 2017 13:11:26 GMT 1
I played keyboards wiith Denny Mitchell after Pete left (I think due to ill health). Before that I played with The Copains with Brain Balcombe on guitar. The Preachers were the best group around and when their guitar player died they auditioned at Justin Hall for a new replacement. I was there and started talking to one of the hopeful audition candidates. He was telling me about Arthur Big Boy Cruddup and Milk Cow Blues. I didn't know what he was talking about. He failed the audition because Peter Frampton got the gig. His name was Jeff Beck. The Preachers morphed into an awful pop group renamed The Herd and passed into relative obscurity. Peter went on to Stardom and jeff Beck is still breaking down musical barriers as one of the great guitar players of our time. Fond memories. :-) What a great story Madkeys, that's a new one on me - Jeff Beck eh!!! I remember Peter Frampton joining The Preachers as I remember him leaving The Trubeats and wanting the job myself, but this is a great twist. I also remember seeing Denny Mitchel and the Soundsations, so I will have seen you play... good days, so long ago though now, where did the time go?
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Pete
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Post by Pete on Jan 28, 2017 12:58:54 GMT 1
Hi Pete Trawling through the mounds of stuff that accumulates over the years, I happened upon 3 small B&W prints from the Clock House Cafe featuring various Herberts of the Parish! Not sure about posting pics of identifiable individuals on forums - I'm sure there are rules in this day and age about such things. Any way they are scanned and ready to go once directions are received from the Mod. Best wishes I'd love to see those old pictures Old Biker (still love that name, wish I'd thought of it! ). If you can't post them on here, maybe you could send me them by PM? Just a thought, it would be great to see them! Thanks, Pete
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Pete
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Post by Pete on Jan 28, 2017 12:54:20 GMT 1
Hi The names Alf I went to the drum in the 60's I have some vague memories because I was in a school band that was in a battle of the bands there. I seem to remember but could be wrong Justin Hayward and John Lodge paying a visit?? I remember The Herd playing there. I also remember that there was a pinball machine that you could rig to get loads of replays. The guy in the band that I think Pete is thinking of was Bill Liessgang he played bottle neck guitar??
We also played a lot of Table Tennis there? Thanks for the input Alf, and the suggestion the Bill I'm looking for possibly being Bill Leisgang. Unfortunately, this is a different Bill and I have already put this to Bill Leisgang - the Bill I am looking for was a bass player, but thanks again for the thought. I have a vague memory of the pinball machine but the old memory could be playing tricks there now - it was all so long ago! Not sure about Justin Hayward / John Lodge connection, that was possibly after my time, but if so I'm sure someone will pick up on this. We had a lot of 'names' from in and around the area back then, so anything's possible! :-)
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Pete
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Post by Pete on Nov 4, 2016 18:29:13 GMT 1
I was very interested to see the comments about Wickham Goes Pop. Actually Peter Frampton had left the Trubeats by then. My father was the one who organised the Richard Chamberlain visit which was at the Church Hall in the Avenue where the 44th Beckenham Scout Troup met. Chamberlain had family living in Langley Park and my father managed to persuade him to make an appearance. Terry Nicholson did not marry Wendy Nicholls and not sure what happened to her, but I do have many photos of the dances if anyone is interested. Terry was my older brother but he sadly died in 2004. The Trubeats were Terry Nicholson/Bass and Vocals - Dave Roffey/Guitar and Alan Chamberlain(no relation) Drums. Peter Frampton went on to the Preachers and then The Herd, I am still in touch with him today. oh by the way I think David Myers (lived in the Avenue and worked for Tree Top Drinks) was one of the organisers of these big gigs. Would love to hear from Chrisjeepman/Pete or Nigel or anyone. Wow! some interesting bits in there Andy! :-) You're absolutely right regarding Terry not marrying Wendy, of course - I learned of this only this week, how weird is that! My mistake, I take my hat off to that one.... although I was only going on hearsay. I'm so sorry to hear about Terry, I didn't know him that well but remember him very clearly from school. I looked for him on Friends Reunited but he never appeared. So, the Richard Chamberlin who made the guest appearance was actually the one who played Dr Kildare? There's been a couple of comments on this, I just assumed it had to be someone related to Alan Chamberlain, but I had absolutely no memory of it at all anyway. The Aces played the Church Hall on The Avenue shortly after the Wickham Goes Pop gigs, and that was also with The Trubeats, but there is a bit of mystery surrounding that on my part as I don't recall the gigs at all - I think I may have left by then. Sadly, Martin Knell (our lead guitarist with The Aces and close friend of Peter's at the time) passed away this year, and he would have been the best person for you to speak to regarding any of this. We often spoke about all this though and he recalled The Avenue gigs, although he never mentioned the Richard Chamberlain bit. Our bass guitarist, Robert Minting, is still with us - his father was Harry Minting, owner of the music shop in Coney Hall, and he may be able to come up with some more bits of interest - it's always good to get another angle on things, and between us (Martin, Robert and myself) we are just about run out of memory! Re Peter Frampton's time in The Trubeats.... We may have to agree to disagree on this(!), but I remember Peter at both Wickham Goes Pop gigs as if yesterday - they opened the night and we went on second at both shows. This was October/November 1963, so very early days for us all as we were still only a couple of years or so into secondary school - I was 14 and Peter was 13. Peter was playing his Hofner as I distinctly recall him carrying it (and his precious echo-chamber - oh how I wanted that!) down the rickety old wooden steps from the stage - actually, this triggers another memory, as the wooden steps I remember were definitely at Wickham Halls, so given I also recall him playing his new Guild Starfire at a gig, this could possibly have been at the second Wickham Goes Pop gig at the Assembly Rooms. I could be wrong there and he may have got the Guild after these shows altogether, but Robert Minting mentioned only recently Peter ordering the Guild from his father's shop, although unfortunately couldn't put a date to this. That's irrelevant anyway, but another clue to support Peter's playing at the Wickham Goes Pop shows is... I started work at David Greig on Station Approach, Hayes in April 1964. My mother worked just down the road at Woolworths and I think she must have worked with one of the Trubeats' mothers as she told me Peter had just left and they were looking for a new guitarist. I asked her to put my name forward but I don't remember what happened after that - either way, I didn't get the job! :-( I wish I could ask Mum who the lady was, but unfortunately she is no longer with us either. Anyway, sometime after this, Peter joined The Preachers (1965 - I originally had this down as 1964, but it was definitely 1965), after which he went on to join The Herd. I seemed to follow him around with gigs - one gig I recall in particular was at The Drum, Penge where we played the opening night. My group by then were The Unattached; we opened and Peter 'headlined' with The Herd - this was 17th September 1966 and I'm actually looking at the original poster on my studio as we speak! After that there was no stopping Peter as The Herd went from strength to strength. The last time I saw him was at Orpington Civic Hall... I can't remember the date but I think it was 1968. I never saw or heard from him again and neither did Martin. Martin was more Peter's friend than I was anyway as they were at school together, I just got to know him through Martin. I must get in touch with Robert - we speak regularly but I owe him a call so I'll mention you, I'm sure he'd like to speak to you - you may even know him! Thanks for adding to the post anyway, it's great to get follow-ups on here as it keeps the Beckenham History Forum alive - there's some great stuff on here! All the best, Pete PS.. it would be good to swap emails perhaps, if you wish to just send me a PM.
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Post by Pete on Nov 4, 2016 17:01:15 GMT 1
Only just caught up with this Pete - its been a busy summer. I think the bike shop in Catford you refer to was Deeprose. There was a Dunstall, 2 in fact. I think the Dunstalls were brothers, one shop was on the green in Elmers End and the other over Sidcup way. A mate of mine bought a bike from Deeprose - a 750 Royal Enfield Interceptor. Used to go like the clappers but not too reliable - aka the reason for the decline of British motorcycle industry. I wish I remember more about the Clock House cafe - it really was a long time ago and it is hard imagine a group playing in there. Somewhere in the loft lie a couple of black & white pics that were taken there. If ever I find them I'll post them on here. Best wishes. Thanks for the Deprose info Oldbiker, my memory isn't what it was! You're right about the Clock House Cafe being small - I have no idea how we fitted in there with a group and have no memory of it whatsoever, but I have been told by two separate people it happened, so I have to take their word for it! I hope you find the Clock House Cafe photos, I'd love to see them!!! :-)
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Pete
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Post by Pete on Sept 15, 2016 14:41:19 GMT 1
This is a really great nostalgic thread. I went to the Mistrale / Tites club, many times between 1967/ 1968. A really great night out, saw lots of good bands. The last Friday night I went there, was hopefully to meet up with a girl, that I had met briefly the week before, which again was either 1967 or 1968. i was walking down Beckenham Hill road, after leaving the club that night, I was with a couple of friends. As we got quite a way down the road, there was a girl in front of us, that was about to go along the access road into the flats, which are on the left hand side going down Beckenham Hill road, I think the block of flats nearest the road is called TYRALL HOUSE, anyway, the girl looked at me, I looked at her, I asked her to wait, I caught her up, we walked down to the flats, we spoke for wait seemed like hours, I cannot remember all the conversation, as it is nearly fifty years ago, but I am sure we arranged to meet at the club, the following week. Unfortunately, I was so excited at meeting her, I did not get her name or phone number, or even which block of flats or the number she lived at, we kissed goodnight and I left, but unfortunately, I never saw her again, I was absolutely distraught, we had got on so well , that I really thought that we would be together. Even after all this time, I think about her all the time and wish I had known her name and which flat she lived at, I will never forget the magic of that night, it will be with me forever, I only wish I could meet her again. I know it's a long shot, after all these years, if anyone might know of a girl ( obviously now a woman ) who lived in those flats on Beckenham Hill road and went to the Mistrale club and who may remember that night, please let me know.I am nearly 66 now, so I would love to be able to see her again, before it's to late. Many thanks What a sad story Woody, I can relate to that totally. Sadly, even though I was around at the time I'm unable to help - that probably makes my post seem pointless, but I just want to wish you luck in your search - these things come but once in a lifetime and you should never give up, she's out there somewhere. Good luck, and let us know if you do ever manage to find her. Pete
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Post by Pete on Sept 15, 2016 14:17:56 GMT 1
I remember Wickham Goes Pop very well. Terry Nicholson was my pal at Pickhurst, but became very involved with his band, The Truebeats. He and his pal Pete Frampton would practice at Pete's house in Woodlea Drive. Meanwhile I was becoming more and more taken with my chosen sport, cycle racing and also being a member of 22nd Bromley 3rd Hayes Scout Group and learning to cook over an open fire at Wiberforce Camp near Biggin Hill. My home town was Bromley, and I would cycle frantically each day the three or four miles to school using the Red Lodge Road route across Beckenham Golf Course. Usually late for school, I was given three strokes across the backside by Mr Powell or Mr Brent on more than one occasion for being late - often in front of the whole school who were queuing at attention in their year groups on the playground awaiting to go to registration. On standing up one had to say 'thank you' for the caning, and this tested one's ability not to 'lose it' to the limit, because it hurt like bloody hell! Terry and I lost touch when I went on to Hawes Down aged 11 or 12, while Pete went on to Bromley technical School where I understand his dad was a teacher there. Wickham Goes Pop I believe was organised by Rhett Davies' dad, Ray. Ray Davies played lead trumpet on a hit record called Legions Last patrol, the theme tune to a film of the same name. I left Hawes Down in 1963/64 for a job at Corkscrew Hill Garage to learn panelbeating - car body repairs in today's terminology - while Rhett I believe went on to produce records, including Bryan Ferry, (but don't quote me!). All these healthy, boyhood pursuits came to an abrupt halt with the discovery of a new and exciting pass-time in 1964....girls! Ahhhh....happy days! Hi Chris, and thanks for the input! I can relate to just about everything you mention, including Rhett Davies who was in my class at Hawes Down. I could be wrong, but I don't recall his father being involved in the Wickham Goes Pop shows - at least, I don't recall his name, but as I said, I could be wrong. I also didn't know Rhett went on to be in the music business, so that's an interesting piece of information! Had I remained in Wickham I imagine our paths would likely have crossed again as I stayed in the music business, but not in London - that is, apart from a short while in the 1980s. I do recall my mother getting me an interview with Decca Records - I have no idea how or why, but sadly, time has now taken it's toll and it's well beyond my recollection. Terry Nicholson was also in my class, but not until 1962 when I was transferred to Hayes School - unfortunately, I had a bit of a run-in with a teacher at Hawes Down and it was decided one of us 'had to go', to which I readily volunteered given the lure of the GIRLS(!) at Hayes. So, like you I decided to take-up this new and far more exciting pass-time and off I went, never to look back! :-) Terry, from memory, went on to marry Wendy Nichols - oh how we all loved Wendy, but sadly it was Terry who won the day... . I have never seen or heard from either of them since, despite looking on all the usual websites (FriendsReunited etc).. it would be nice to know what became of them. Re getting '6 Of The Best' from Mr Powell and having to say "Thank you"... I remember that well as I had such pleasure myself - how things have changed since then, these days it seems the kids are in charge. Happy days...? I'm not so sure (thinking back)... they were in many ways and we were certainly the better for how we grew up.... probably, most of them were happy, I just didn't enjoy school at all. Good to hear from you anyway Chris, if you can recall anything more about Wickham Goes Pop it would be nice... thanks. :-)
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