what happened to Ian Stewart (Poynton FC resident)

Subject: RE: what happened to Ian Stewart (Poynton FC resident)
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 14 Jun 13 - 06:19 AM

EDIT-

I don't think Isla St. Clair and Isla Grant are even one and the same person. According to Isla Gran's website, she was married to someone called "Al" as far back as 1992.

I know that Ian knew Isla St. Clair but I suspect he never knew Isla Grant. In reality, Ian wasn't really a "folk club" person.

Subject: RE: what happened to Ian Stewart (Poynton FC resident)
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 14 Jun 13 - 06:10 AM

That's news to me; and, although I stand to be corrected, highly unlikely.

Ian (Grant) Stewart, who was really a jazz tenor sax player, moved himself and his family from Poynton back to the family home somewhere in Lincolnshire around the turn of the 70's/80's and continued his computing business from there.

Les Renshaw is still in Poynton and, so I'm told, still running a club there; allegedly on the last Friday of the month.

Subject: RE: what happened to Ian Stewart (Poynton FC resident)
From: GUEST,Geoff Bostock (Heeby)
Date: 12 Jun 13 - 06:46 AM

Ian Grant and Les Renshawe were the house residents When Poynton Folk Club Started in or around 1971. It started out as the Country Style Club Something that Eric Brock dreamt up but did not stick!Bullock Smithy was formed in 1972(a residue of Toby Jug and the slipper alley sidewalk stompers)which I was a member and we usually played every week along with the resident duo. I think Ian later married Isla St Clair Now Isla Grant and is very popular on the radio where I now live in County Clare in the Irish Republic. my contact is brianbostock45@g mail.com

Subject: RE: Ian Stewart (Poynton FC resident)
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 01:31 PM

By way of conclusion and for the information of those who remember those days, Rick and I did get in touch but I had a email from his wife a short while ago telling me that Rick died of a brain tumour in June 2009. A sad loss.
Ray

Subject: RE: Ian Stewart (Poynton FC resident)
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 01:26 PM

Come on Rick - shout up if you're still there!

Subject: RE: Ian Stewart (Poynton FC resident)
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 12:10 PM

Hi Rick - good to hear from you strange you should turn up now as Les Renshaw 'phoned me a couple of weeks ago and we had a session in Buxton the other night. (we think its getting on for 30 years since we last played together) Les confirms the fact that Ian died and both he and I had come to the same conclusion as yourself as to why.

I have to dispute your assertions about my memory! What actually happened was that Robin and myself joined Ian in your residence at Poynton whilst you went off to France for a month. Whilst you were away, Ian resigned the residence leaving you with potentially nowhere to play when you returned. Ian arranged the residence at the Deanwater before you got back which lasted a year or so until you decided to get a real job - in Bromyard if I remember correctly. It was only then that Les took over.

Yes I'd like to get in touch - perhaps we could impose on Brian - if you let Brian have you email via his website perhaps he could forward it to me? If you're happy to publish it here I'll get back to you.

Hi Brian - I assume you still have my email address. Thanks for the message from Brian Toberman. He was more of a friend of my wife Jean - we last ran into him in Chapel. Safeway so you can see how long ago that was. Seem to remember that he was also either living in France or that he had a French girlfriend?

Regards to both
Ray

Subject: RE: Ian Stewart (Poynton FC resident)
From: Brian Peters
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 06:46 AM

Nice to hear from you, Rick - as I mentioned above, you and Ian were a great influence on my musical development and future career.

Ray, if you're still following this thread, Brian Toberman, formerly of Chinley FC (I met him at Walthamstow on Sunday) says hello.

Subject: RE: Ian Stewart (Poynton FC resident)
From: GUEST,ragtimeric
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 07:34 PM

hi Rick jones here
was resident at poynton with ian S.. for many years before arters lawn. still playing but live in france now. play mainly jazz and rock and bottleneck blues and ragtime, all very much appreciated in france. Hey Ray!!! good to read about you.   Cant throw any light on Ian except I beleive he died. he was a diabetic but always drank like a fish when i knew him. Ray the facts abut the deanwater - I think your memory is fading. we all moved to the deanwater and played as a group there for at least two years(me included!!!), including a very succesful mini festival. Then i went to spain for a month and found myself dislaced by Les martin - Ian's old singing patner before me. Ray do get in touch

Subject: RE: Ian Stewart (Poynton FC resident)
From: GUEST,ragtimeric
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 07:25 PM

Subject: RE: Ian Stewart (Poynton FC resident)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 25 Nov 07 - 07:11 PM

Brian - You are in here often enough that you might as well join ! Its free . and would give you Personal Message facility for swopping info with other members .

Subject: RE: Ian Stewart (Poynton FC resident)
From: GUEST,Brian Peters
Date: 25 Nov 07 - 03:47 PM

"Are you still in touch with Dave Rawlinson, Brian? I'd love to get back in touch and my step-son has been trying to get in thouch with Dave & Mary's son for some time."

I haven't seen him for a few years, Ray. Last I heard he was at Bower Gardens, Salisbury. Since I'd rather not post either Dave's full address, phone no. or my email address on this forum, perhaps you could contact me via my website if you don't have that address and would like me to pass it on.

"Good to see you are still playing Brian Peters. No reason why you shouldn't be actually!"
In the sense that I never got bored either with the songs or the singing of them, you're quite right, Mike.

Subject: RE: Ian Stewart (Poynton FC resident)
From: MikeRebec
Date: 24 Nov 07 - 02:07 PM

I remember the Hughes brothers well. In fact they were the first group I saw in a folk club. They were warming up for Tim Hardin at a club in an awful hotel called the Airport Hotel in Northenden (now the Brittannia)and it was the early 1970s. They were residents at Poynton I think but I mainly remember Martin Carter and Graham Jones as residents there when I started going. Where are they now?
Good to see you are still playing Brian Peters. No reason why you shouldn't be actually!

Subject: RE: Ian Stewart (Poynton FC resident)
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 24 Nov 07 - 12:27 PM

I've known Ken for 30 odd years in fact, I bought his washing machine & tumble drier when he emigrated to Canada, but he's not the third member. He is however a long standing friend of the person we're looking for and they've both been involved in guitar building.

Subject: RE: Ian Stewart (Poynton FC resident)
From: Richard in Manchester
Date: 24 Nov 07 - 09:27 AM

Sad Pig's no. 3 was Ken Powell, wasn't it?

Subject: RE: Ian Stewart (Poynton FC resident)
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 24 Nov 07 - 05:48 AM

I heard that it was Tom Hughes who passed away.

Are you still in touch with Dave Rawlinson, Brian? I'd love to get back in touch and my step-son has been trying to get in thouch with Dave & Mary's son for some time.

How about a bit more trivia? Sad Pig was originally a trio. Who was the third, and now long gone, member?

Subject: RE: Ian Stewart (Poynton FC resident)
From: Ian Hendrie
Date: 23 Nov 07 - 05:59 AM

One of the Hughes brothers has sadly passed away. Dave Hughes (as part of Sad Pig) runs a monthly club at Poynton British Legion on the first Friday of the month.

Subject: RE: Ian Stewart (Poynton FC resident)
From: GUEST,Brian Peters
Date: 23 Nov 07 - 05:42 AM

"Did the Shaw Brothers sing at Poynton?"

Do you mean the Hughes Brothers? I seem to remember they took over the residency after Ian and Ray & Co. left.

"Do you see anything of Will Willliams? - used to run the club at the Globe in Glossop; in fact the last person to book Nick Jones."

Indeed he was. Will was also the second person to book me (I still have his impressive-looking contract specifying a fee of £10) and is still to be seen at all the best parties in Glossop with his partner Stella.

I've played a gig or two for Dave Rawlinson since his move to Salisbury. Wonderful to see such a subversive, convention-defying and sartorially challenging character in such a high-flown position.

And after all this reminiscing, I've not actually mentioned how sorry I am that the subject of the thread is no longer with us. In a way his style was of its time, but I can't help thinking that many a folk club would benefit from such an enthusiastic, funny, tub-thumping frontman as Ian.

Subject: RE: Ian Stewart (Poynton FC resident)
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 23 Nov 07 - 05:25 AM

Did the Shaw Brothers sing at Poynton?

Subject: RE: Ian Stewart (Poynton FC resident)
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 22 Nov 07 - 06:00 PM

Robin plays in a dance band and I occasionally play with them, depending on how many members they need or who's available. I think I can safely say that Robin's banjo playing has improved since those days. With the band, I tend to play mostly mandolin.

Dave Rawlinson got himself a plum job as Chief Executive of Salisbury City Council and has since retired. Not seen Arthur for a while since he retired for a second time. He was working in Stockport, pounding the beat as a community warden. In more recent times, I hear that he's been gainfully employed as the Mayor's (his wife) consort in Bollington.   

Being a resident musician wasn't that bad - it was mainly the venue we didn't like - and you got to see and meet all the big names for free. I don't think Poynton had a regular residency after we left which destroys continuity. The problem at the Deanwater was that we wanted to play and Ian wanted to run a club.

Do you see anything of Will Willliams? - used to run the club at the Globe in Glossop; in fact the last person to book Nick Jones.

Subject: RE: Ian Stewart (Poynton FC resident)
From: GUEST,Brian Peters
Date: 22 Nov 07 - 03:52 PM

I'm in Glossop.

I used to go occasionally to Dave Rawlinson's clubs in Chinley and Chapel, and Arthur at Bollington still presses me to sing Dave's song about The Hood. Assuming you mean that it's you and Robin who play those weddings, funerals, etc., I'm glad you're still working together. My best pal bought a banjo on the strength of your performances, but fortunately his enthusiasm didn't last as long as mine has!

Poynton in its heyday was great from a 17-year-old punter's point of view, but it's heyday finished for me when you lot upped and left. What it was like to be a resident musician there might not have been quite so idyllic, though.

Subject: RE: Ian Stewart (Poynton FC resident)
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 22 Nov 07 - 03:39 PM

Hi Brian
Sorry if I've been a bad influence! I notice, from your website, you're playing Mr Wakefield's establishment in December. I've not been there for years but the same goes for most folk clubs. On the rare occasions we do play, its usually weddings, funerals or private parties.   

Yes is was the Deanwater, seems like the reason you preferred Poynton was the very reason we decided to go elsewhere. Actually, I've never been that bothered about offending people but it never had an "F".

Are you still local? I've moved as far away as Chapel-en-le-Frith & Robin lives in Buxton.
Ray

Subject: RE: Ian Stewart (Poynton FC resident)
From: GUEST,Brian Peters
Date: 22 Nov 07 - 11:32 AM

"Brian Peters/Ian Hendrie - I recognise both names but can't put a place or face to them."

I can't speak for Ian Hendrie, but I've been working the folk scene for twenty years (www.brian-peters.co.uk if you're interested), hence the reference to Ian (and the rest of you) having been an early inspiration. It's all your fault!

"Ian left Poynton whilst Rick was on holiday and the four of us set up a new club down the road a month or so later."

You mean the Deanwater? I went a few times but compared with Poynton it was a bit plush for my taste. My mate had the theory at the time that the band name was originally to be "Farters' Lawn", but you'd dropped the "F" to avoid offence.

Subject: RE: Ian Stewart (Poynton FC resident)
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 22 Nov 07 - 10:56 AM

I suspect that only the real Ray would know the answer to that one!

Well, it could go like this - two people were driving around the New Forest and, not knowing exactly where they were, stopped to look at a map. Where are we said one, there's a street sign over there, said the other. Oh! Arters Lawn - good name for a group that.

Incidentally, Ian left Poynton whilst Rick was on holiday and the four of us set up a new club down the road a month or so later.

Brian Peters/Ian Hendrie - I recognise both names but can't put a place or face to them.

Ray

Subject: RE: Ian Stewart (Poynton FC resident)
From: GUEST,Brian Peters
Date: 22 Nov 07 - 09:37 AM

Is this the Ray who used to play in the bluegrass duo with Robin at the time Ian and Rick were residents? If so, I thought you were great too.

OK. here's a trivia question: where did the name "Arter's Lawn" come from?

Subject: RE: Ian Stewart (Poynton FC resident)
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 22 Nov 07 - 09:31 AM

Ian left the residency at Poynton FC in 1974. Last I heard of him, he was dead. His real name was Ian Grant. Rick Jones emigrated to teach in Bromyard in 1975 and has never been heard of since.

Ian moved back to the family pile in Lincolnshire to continue with his career of running the Airfix computer system and re-established his previous musical career - playing tenor sax in a dance band.

Ian was never a member of Bullock Smithy and does not appear o the LP Trouble Over Bridgewater.

If you'd like any more trivia, please ask.

Ray

Subject: RE: Ian Stewart (Poynton FC resident)
From: Ian Hendrie
Date: 22 Nov 07 - 08:32 AM

I remember Ian Stewart though I don't think that was his real name. Was he a member of 'Bullock Smithy' as well as working solo? I have a copy of the lp 'Trouble Over Bridgewater' on which, I think, he may appear. I think he moved away from the Manchester area (to Lincolnshire?) many years ago.

Subject: Ian Stewart (Poynton FC resident)
From: GUEST,Brian Peters
Date: 22 Nov 07 - 05:10 AM

Anyone know what happened to Ian Stewart, he of the big voice, the beard, the glasses and the 12-string, who was resident (along with Ric Jones) at Poynton FC in the early 70s? One of my earliest inspirations!