Big AlWhittle gig Mansfield March 15

Subject: Big AlWhittle gig Mansfield March 15
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 06 Mar 05 - 09:33 AM

Gig at the brown cow. nice to see any mudcatters, allow me to buy you a drink there so near to st Patricks Day. never heard of me? check me out.
http://bigalwhittle.co.uk/
Can I erase this ephemeral message, when it is no longer current news.

Subject: RE: Big AlWhittle gig Mansfield March 15
From: John Robinson (aka Cittern)
Date: 07 Mar 05 - 05:39 AM

Do you atill have the Variax acoustic ?

Subject: RE: Big AlWhittle gig Mansfield March 15
From: rhyzla
Date: 07 Mar 05 - 05:58 AM

I've got one, and occasionally use it live!

Subject: RE: Big AlWhittle gig Mansfield March 15
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 07 Mar 05 - 06:08 AM

yes still have the variax (and still loving it!) - wasn't really thinking of using for this gig. however if you're interested, anything to oblige....

Subject: RE: Big AlWhittle gig Mansfield March 15
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 07 Mar 05 - 06:10 AM

Drown 'em in the bath Al.
Best wishes, Mike.

Subject: RE: Big AlWhittle gig Mansfield March 15
From: rhyzla
Date: 07 Mar 05 - 06:23 AM

Quite a coincidence, Al, us both having a variax.

Do you remember me coming up and playing at the Unicorn Folk Club at Orton on the Hill in the late 70s, under the name of "Baz 'UNT" - small world innit?

And you were drowning 'em then if I remember correctly!!

Subject: RE: Big AlWhittle gig Mansfield March 15
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 07 Mar 05 - 07:01 AM

Strangely enough Mike - just this very week I am going to Preston, Lancs to have my photo taken for the new album cover.

In Preston they have a school for mounted policeman and the horse trough they use is the very bath George Joseph Smith used for the Blackpool murder. I have fixed it up with the rozzers and they are cool about the idea.

Subject: RE: Big AlWhittle gig Mansfield March 15
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 07 Mar 05 - 07:13 AM

I remember you and your repertoire with great pleasure - Rory gallagher's Out on the western Plains. Denise sends her regards.

I have written other songs since then, but that one seems to stick in peoples minds.

Subject: RE: Big AlWhittle gig Mansfield March 15
From: rhyzla
Date: 07 Mar 05 - 08:35 AM

Good grief - I'd forgotten that i used to sing that one of Rory's - thanks for reminding me!

By the way, love your idea for album cover - I wonder if the police keep other momentos of infamous murders?

Subject: RE: Big AlWhittle gig Mansfield March 15
From: GUEST,Barrie Roberts
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 06:44 AM

Al --- all the very best, but be very careful about that horsetrough! In the course of Smith's trial they nearly drowned a volunteer during a demonstration.

Subject: RE: Big AlWhittle gig Mansfield March 15
From: John Robinson (aka Cittern)
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 12:29 PM

May have to be at a meeting on March 15th - I've got myself roped into the organising comittee for the BOMFest indie festival in Barnsley - so don't use the Variax on my account - hope you have a great gig! Will be there if I can.

Cheers
John Robinson
http://www.JulieEllison.co.uk

Subject: RE: Big AlWhittle gig Mansfield March 15
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 12:53 PM

Ah therein hangs a tale Barry!

Yesterday I travelled all the way to Preston to be photographed by the horsetrough.

A bloke at a folk club in Lytham last September told me about the horsetrough/murder weapon. To be honest, I thought no more of it until I had to do an album cover. As usual George Joseph Smith was in the line up of songs. When your career has never really taken off, you have to be grateful that at least the public know you for one song and so it goes onto every album/cassette/cd/dvd whatever!

So I ring up Lancashire Police and they assure me that they do indeed have the George Joseph Smith bath with which he drowned somebody - it is in the the possession of the school for mounted policemen. I ring up the school for mounted policemen, yes they've got the bath allright - their horses are drinking out of it as we speak......

So yesterday. I drive from Nottingham to Preston....no small distance for a faintly ludicrous errand. And I am escorted to the bath/horsetrough, over which hangs a brass plate:-

IT WAS IN THIS VERY BATH THAT BUCK RUXTON MUTILATED THE CORPSES OH HIS WIFE AND HOUSE SERVANT IN 193BLAH! BLAH!!


Oh shit.! Wrong murder! Wrong bath!

THe Crosby Murders(written by your good self) arrived whilst I was away. I will give it my full attention when the album is in its sleeve.

Meanwhile I am not so easily defeated. I will try the Black Museum at New Scotland Yard - see if they can help me locate the right bath. anybody know someone in charge there who might help?

Subject: RE: Big AlWhittle gig Mansfield March 15
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 02:02 PM

MMMMMMM yes, Doctor Buck Ruxton killed his Mrs and his female servant in Lancaster. The most notorious of the Lancaster murders.
I used to live in Preston Al and my Mrs worked at Police HQ. I worked next to the Police Horse stables where the bath is......
Small world eh?
Best wishes mate and sure to see you later in the year...Lincolnshire Folk gathering is at Gainsborough Old Hall next time instead of Tattershall Castle.
Mike

Subject: RE: Big AlWhittle gig Mansfield March 15
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 14 Mar 05 - 04:00 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Big AlWhittle gig Mansfield March 15
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Mar 05 - 08:57 AM

weelittledrummer, a guy called John Ross succeeded Bill Waddell as curator of the "Black" Museum (officially it's the Crime Museum) some time in the mid-1990s. The museum does feature the acid-bath murders, but I can't remember that the bath is there. You'd need to kick off your enquiry with a letter to the Met Commissioner I think. Access is very much restricted, and even serving police officers cannot wander in without having some sound reason. The museum has changed location a few times. About 15-20 years ago it was rehoused on the first floor at Met HQ in Victoria Street ie not at New Scotland Yard) and as far as I know, that's where it still is.

Off to see Hotel Rwanda tonight or I might have looked in at the Brown Cow.

Subject: RE: Big AlWhittle gig Mansfield March 15
From: GUEST,Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 15 Mar 05 - 11:37 AM

I was the last guest (using someone else's PC).

Subject: RE: Big AlWhittle gig Mansfield March 15
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 03 May 05 - 10:28 AM

Received today

Dear Mr Whittle

thankyou for your request in connection with with Mr george Joseph Smith.
I regret to inform you we are unable to assist, due to the circumstances surrounding this case.
Enclosed therefore please find your cd


Yours sincerely

Chris Pilgrim
metropolitan police service historical Collection Manager

oh well another case solved

all the best

big al