Pear Tree Inn Southampton

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: RTim
Date: 01 Jun 22 - 06:05 PM

Maybe the time has come to correct the Heading on this post. It has always been about "The Bay Tree" and "The Fo'c's'le Folk Club" in Southampton....and all its venues over the years and Nothing about The Pear Tree!!!

But who can change it?? Joe Offer...??

Tim Radford
ex-Fo'c's'le resident singer (a long time ago....now in Massachusetts!!)

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: Brock
Date: 01 Jun 22 - 12:11 PM

I'm fairly new to folk and stumbled across this thread just because I live not far from Pear Tree Avenue. I attend the Focsle which is being ably run by Paul Clarke and Jon Ellis with help from Lin Rayner. Usually meets at the Guide Dog Pub in St Denys but sometimes (eg yesterday evening) at the Wellington Arms in Freemantle -where I'm glad to say, Brian Hooper was singing.

Paul B

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: GUEST,Bob Pearce
Date: 01 Jun 22 - 07:53 AM

Sad to report the passing of Jaki Whitren and her husband John 'Maggot' Cartright a few years back. Paul Bryer no longer involved in secular music.
A book about the Hampshire folk music scene would be great, but are there enough people who'd be interested today?

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 18 Dec 19 - 04:07 AM

Saddened to realise how many of the contributors to this thread have passed away since they posted - Bonecruncher, GRex,Andy Jackson and also, of course, Alan White, Richard Thrift and Trevor...

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: GUEST,Crabbe
Date: 16 Dec 19 - 04:30 AM

What a BLAST reading this thread again after a couple of years. Love and Best Wishes to you all from Worcester, where I am pleased to report that the folk scene is still thriving thanks to the Somers Traditional Folk Club and Folk at the Fold, at both of which I attend and perform, as well as many others - let's just keep on "Keeping the Old Songs Alive".
Bless you all.
Bryan

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: DMcG
Date: 15 Nov 17 - 12:20 PM

I have just read through this thread for the first time, so I think I can add another chapter. I was on the committee of the Fo'c'sle for the last five years, with Brian Hooper as chair/MC, Dusty Withers as the second MC and Stroph Rayner as the treasurer. Due to other commitments, illnesses and other factors, the club officially closed at the Richmond in July 2017. However, all is not lost: two of the members, Paul Clarke and Jon Ellis, run 'Focsle Music' (no apostrophes this time!) which meets roughly every other Wednesday. Nominally, I am still on the committee but because of work I can never attend the Wednesday meetings.

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Nov 17 - 02:15 PM

I remember that song. I forget where I saw it performed, and had also forgotten the name of the singer-songwriter, but there was another one he used to do that began: 'Politics, sex and religion make life rather complex, Religion and politics are simple compared to the problems of sex'. Another bit of it I recall was: 'The Victorians seemed rather prudish, they covered the legs of their chairs, But to judge from the size of their families they knew what to do when upstairs'

I googled for this song, but couldn't find it.

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: GUEST,Guest,Ron vardy
Date: 28 Dec 16 - 06:33 AM

Have just spent nostalgic half hour reading this thread. Many many names reminding me of the lively folk scene in and around Southampton in the late sixties onward - I was just mainly in the audiences but had many good friends as performers - many wonderful evenings with John Murfitt and Pat McMillan (not forgetting Dudley Savage and 'Mac' McGuigan known as "The little People". Does anyone have any recordings of them?

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: GUEST,Warwick Slade
Date: 20 Apr 15 - 02:21 PM

O.M.G. A blast from the past as I remember Mags Cartwright coming into my music shop, Minns Music, and jamming with others including Steve Webb who played and sang to my 3year old daughter. Happy days. I think they played with Iguana and with Jes Roden band.
And ,ofcourse, I remember the Bob Pearce Blues Band
All this started at the Balladeer with the late John Edgar Mann and spawned all the Southampton clubs ever since.

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: growler
Date: 19 Apr 15 - 02:19 PM

It was the Bay Tree inn that I named incorrectly. A shiver whent down my spine when you mentioned Paul Brier, he was my best friend at school

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: GUEST,Bob Pearce
Date: 19 Apr 15 - 06:10 AM

Hi all, just stumbled across this site and found myself reliving some of my past!!! On the main enquiry - Pear Tree Inn, never played there but did at the Bay Tree, Cutty Wren, Anvil etc. O.K. then... Paul Bryer - left my band to join a London outfit and although he wasn't with them for long, London was the last place I saw him, that was nearly twenty years ago. The Phoenix Jug band was led by Rick Stokes, now resident in Ventnor, I.O.W. although I don't remember Jaki Whitren singing for them? Jaki married local bass player John 'Mags' Cartwright and now lives in France. As far as I know she still records but no 'live' shows. Kevin 'Maryland' Cooke has passed as you're probably aware. For anyone interested, I have an album I made of Rog Carmen - only two cut - one each for him and me!! Nice to see 'Crabbe's' name again, it was through his encouragement that I continued with my musical career.... yes, blame him!!! Love and blessings to all, great memories - thankyou.

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: scouse
Date: 16 Nov 12 - 06:08 AM

"Ordnance Survey's U25 Club". Thanks for that!! I sang a couple of numbers myself there way back when... Pretty sure one of them was a Paul Simon number..
Yeah, that's such a pity and a great loss when John Murphitt died, I owed a lot to the man.Go Gentle,Rest well John.
There was another F'club down there by the Docks??? Met Roy Baily and his lovely wife Val there.

As Aye,

Phil

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: GUEST,Guest john l. hythe resident.
Date: 15 Nov 12 - 04:34 PM

hello all.would like to know more about the cutty wren club in the 1970s also is the album Frost lane.available anywhere.the drummond is now in flats.best wishes to all. john L.

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: GUEST,Richard H
Date: 16 Nov 11 - 10:54 AM

Just found this.
The memories I have of the Anvil were Robin Parker having his name in Goblin language on his fretboard, Brian leaving to go to London and receiving a book on Dali, and Radio Solent coming along to record us one night.
There were also clubs briefly at the Centre Hotel, Southampton and at the Ordnance Survey's U25 Club.
The OS also had Mike Seeger in their Restaurant. Ted Duckett played that evening.

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: GUEST,banjo dave
Date: 09 Dec 10 - 07:47 AM

I remember Roy Harrison very one of my favourite songs of his was ¬A Three Legged Friend` I have a tape of him singing a few of his songs somewhere must try and dig it out

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: scouse
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 05:38 AM

I knew another Guy down there into the Music, think his name was Kevin Cooke, used to play great Blues Guitar.He got himself into Hard drugs but went and Cold Turkeyied himself at some sort of Hospital out by Waterloo (Down the coast a bit.)He asked me if he could borrow my big Hofner 12 string Jumbo.. I gave it to him... A month or two later I saw him, He'd beaten the "Dragon@.. An he handed me back me Guitar. Such memories.

As Aye,

Phil.

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 02:35 AM

Yes, Miskin Man is Andy Jackson.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: GUEST,banjo dave
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 04:08 PM

To Scrump, The person who ran the basingstoke Folk Club was derek Burton and he did have eye problems, and J.P.B. was right the duo was The Dixie Ramblers and I was the tall Skinny ( not now though ) banjo player I still see Derek but not to play with, and the bass player was Andy Feist who now lives in Dorset.

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: GUEST,banjo dave
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 03:38 PM

Hamish West wanted to know about John Murfitt unfortunately John died a few years ago such a tragic waste.
Also the club in Chandlers Ford was called The Jug of Punch it was the first Folk Club i went to those were good times.
And lastly is Miskin Man the one and only Andy Jackson who now lives on the Isle of Wight

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: growler
Date: 21 Nov 10 - 04:42 PM

As a late starter, I have the upmost respect, for everyone involved in that club. Thanks

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: GUEST,Bow
Date: 21 Nov 10 - 11:36 AM

Have had a great time going down memory lane, or in my case Frost Lane reading these threads. I was one of the orginal founders of the Cutty Wren, born out of the fact in the main, it was such pain not to say a dispointment to have to drag one self away from a good session at the Focsle (then at the Bay Tree) to either catch the last bus or the Hythe ferry back to the waterside.
Hence my old singing partner Ally ( I understand he is still in the folk scene in the south) and our friend Dave Britain ( last heard of living in Scotland)started the Cutty Wren.
It's has been nice to read how much the old club had such an effect on so many.

Bow

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 06:21 PM

Good starting point Tim. With a year to go perhaps we could get the ball rolling.

Andy

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: GUEST,Peter Green
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 04:27 AM

Sorry to hear Rog and Rick have shuffled off to that big folk club in the sky but, as you say Miskin, so many still here and singing.
Interesting to see Tim is doing a concert in Emery Down (village hall ?) as I made my first appearance there in 1953 singing 'Soldiers of the Queen.' It's been downhill ever since

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: RTim
Date: 17 Nov 10 - 11:08 PM

Hey Andy,

I am doing a concert - Next Year (Nov), with Geoff Jerram (and The Askew Sisters) in Emery Down. Maybe a few of us could get together around the same time?

Tim Radford
(now - Massachusetts, USA!)

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 17 Nov 10 - 08:13 PM

Pete Green....Sorry to say that Rog Carmen took his final curtain call several years ago as did Rick Keeling. Mo Thomas is still around and singing I believe. Annie Mitchell went into a singing career I believe but I've not seen her, or Steve, for many years. A Incidentally a copy of Frost Lane sold on Ebay a few months ago for more than £70.
Having returned to the South after twenty odd years away it is fascinating to find how many of us are indeed still around. Sadly John Mann is not at all well and is in residential care at the moment.
A reunion would be wonderful, can anyone think of an excuse? More importantly who wants to organise it?

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: Terry McDonald
Date: 17 Nov 10 - 12:31 PM

Thanks Annie - I hate mysteries!

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: GUEST,Annie Christopher
Date: 16 Nov 10 - 12:59 PM

Yes I was the mini-version who recorded with MGM and RCA. Appearing on My Kind of Folk, Country Meets Folk etc.

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: GUEST,Terry McDonald (not signed in)
Date: 31 Oct 10 - 06:50 AM

Annie, I assume you were the second Sara, as one of our stalwarts at Wimborne Folk Club, Ruth, told me that she was the original one.

More pertinant to the thread, I was delighted to meet Andy Rusbridge a couple of weeks ago at Wessex Acoustic. He was there as part of a trio from Bristol called Thornbridge who were the support act to Bob Fox. Andy used to run the Southampton University Folk Club c1965 and was a frequent performer at other clubs in the area. He was compering at the Black Seagull in Hythe when I made my solo debut.

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: GUEST,Annie Christopher Sara of Sinnermen and Sara
Date: 31 Oct 10 - 02:06 AM

Hi
Just found your site and was interested to see the name reversal putting Sara first.

I remember singing at this club.

When the band split, I went on to form my own band called Sugar N Spice and later worked with a 60's show touring across the south of England. Also joining and helping run the Wessex branch of Equity. Later trained as a teacher of music and worked at an all boys school until I retired this year....... still singing, and teaching adult education learn to sing classes.

Were any of you at our reunion in aid of the Winter Gardens in 1992?

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: GRex
Date: 25 Sep 10 - 03:39 AM

I remember Roy well from the eighties, when the Cutty Wren Folk Club was in Totton. His comic songs were great especially 'Loose Heel', a parody of 'Lucille'. Unfortunately he didn't live long after his beloved wife died.

                GRex

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: growler
Date: 24 Sep 10 - 04:49 PM

Hi Al
I went to school with Chris Bluit, he saved me from a nasty beating from a load of squadies in 1966 in Mansbridge. Thanks

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: GUEST,Pete Green
Date: 24 Sep 10 - 05:15 AM

Sorry Gadaffi the name does not ring any bells from the early '60 period. However, It was good to see Alan Rutter pick up the thread. I mentioned his name back in 2007 when this thread started. We used to do alternative weeks at the Cutty Wren as compare. I had the old Martin in those days and was like a dog with two tails. I wonder what happened to the old regulars who were on the Frost Lane album., Mo, the Mitchells and I wonder if Roger Carman still has my banjo! Someone should arrange a reunion from those old days but I guess everyone has moved on to greater things.

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 23 Sep 10 - 09:50 AM

Sorry to revive this thread - well, not really...

My next question is can anyone out there remember Roy 'Cobblers' Harrison and/or his songs? (I've already contacted Paul Marsh and Andy Jackson on this, but would welcome contributioons from anyone else).

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: growler
Date: 02 Aug 10 - 04:41 PM

Al To my memory, clarity vanished the following day

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: Al Rutter
Date: 02 Aug 10 - 02:33 PM

I arrived from the North East in 1970 and after singing at both the Foclsle and Cutty Wren fairly regularly decided that the Cutty was more in need of culture (and a bit closer to where I lived) so by 1972 I was involved in its running and continued to do so until sometime in the 80's.
I do remember seeing you occasionally at the focsle, but not that often - I also knew a few members of Twynham Morris and I used to pop over to Twynham FC to do the odd floor spot. Alan White got me involved with Xchurch Festival and I was song director for a year or two with himself director of dance.
At one time a few of the residents of the Cutty formed a band, King Henry's Fyre (nasty disease we used to say) and gig'd locally. At the height of our fame we used to do theme gigs and the only one I can remember with any sort of clarity was "Transportation" performed at the Focsle when it was at the Joiners. From memory, the band consisted of Les & Pete Warland, Roger (Fylde) Bucknall, Allan Mornington-West, Barry Lockyer, Chris Buet & myself (appologies if I missed out anyone).
I also used to play bass with Squeeze & Wheeze during the 80's and must have deafened hundreds in the process.
I retired from singing about 15 years ago but discovering Mudcat recently and seeing some of the posts resulted in this blast of reminiscence.
I have to admit I also Dwyle Flunked, but couldnt say who else was in the circle - clarity having rapidly vanished.

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: RTim
Date: 01 Aug 10 - 07:20 PM

Hi All,

Alan Rutter is a name I remember very well, but sorry Alan - that is about all.
We are talking about nearly 40 years ago!! I am sure we must have know each other back in the day?
Do you have any other web presence, ie. Myspace or Facebook or whatever - are you still performing, if so - what?
Dave Williams is responsible for almost everything I do - even to this day. I loved the man.

Tim Radford
Woods Hole, USA.

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: growler
Date: 01 Aug 10 - 04:46 PM

Sorry, hit the wrong key. Seem to remember getting out of my head Dwyle Flunking at the Haywain

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: growler
Date: 01 Aug 10 - 04:43 PM

Hi Alan
I spent a lot of time at The Haywain in Cadnam.

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: GUEST,Alan Rutter
Date: 01 Aug 10 - 11:18 AM

Is that the same Hamish that later ran the club in the Anchor at the bottom of East Street ? if it is -- we didnt half have some good nights there.
I only discovered Mudcat a few weeks ago too and it certainly brought back old memories. I used to live opposite the Haywain and used to pop over and do the odd spot once I got to know Dave Williams. The hall was always packed and full of atmosphere until the twerp who moved into the house at the far end of the shed put the boot in with his complaints.
Theres a big gap in Mudcat postings since talk of JPB or AJ writing a history - but maybe theres still hope yet and there are a few things somewhat mixed in Miskins memories.
The Cutty Wren started life at the Hythe Hotel then moved very up market to the Stewart Lodge in Frost Lane (hence the name of the first LP). It then moved when Don Stewart, the owner bought the Westcliffe Hall Hotel, which was then right on the edge of Southampton Water. Some of the best nights were had there with some very big name guests, but after a few years and very suddenly, we fell out with Don, who was always a bit of an odd character, so in the space of a week the club mpoved to the Station Hotel in Totton and finally to the Abbey Hotel in Romsey where it unfortunately died. The Westcliffe Hall was subsequently fell into a poor state of repair, suffered fire damage going through the hands of several developers and the last I heard (about 18 months ago) it was going to be renovated and become a top notch hotel once again. Who knows, with right approach - another club in the basement ?
Anyway, back to the Pear Tree - I remember lots of hot smokey nights in the early 70's upstairs in the Bay Tree where the singers were always excellent, usually superbly MC'd by JPB and the beer - Gales - was always spot on.
I'm glad the club has survived.
Regards to all
Alan Rutter

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: GUEST,Crabbe
Date: 01 Aug 10 - 05:03 AM

Good to see that Hamish is still going! Just to put things straight, Robin Parker, John Heslop and I sang under the name of "Omen". When John went on to greener pastures, Robin and I became "Volume II". Happy Days!
All the Best
Crabbe (Bryan Neville-Lee)

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 03:14 PM

I've just discovered this thread - wow does it bring back memories of Southampton area folk in the mid to late 60s.
Must have been to the Pear Tree, but don't remmber it at all, although all the other clubs mentioned are so familiar.

Miskin Man wrote -
"Blacksmiths Arms in Shirley every Monday,had the Funario Folk Club hosted usually by the "Funario Folk Three" memory says it comprised Brian (Crabbe) Neville-Lee, Robin Parker and another. Other notables included John Murfitt & Pat McMillan, John Heslop etc."

I was in a "Funario Folk Three", together with John Murfitt, and originally Colm McLaverty, later Brian Jones.

Does anyone know where John is now?

Regards,
Hamish West

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: Bonecruncher
Date: 04 Nov 09 - 11:01 PM

Tim Radford.............
If you are going to visit your family in the Totton/Marchwood areas please throw a stone into the water at Eling Quay for me!
Also born/brung up in Totton.
Colyn Blundell.

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: growler
Date: 04 Nov 09 - 04:18 PM

It's great to have this thread back, this club inspired me when I was in my teens. I now have run my own folk clubs, for the last ten years. had it not been for 'The Fo'c's'le in the sixties, many people would have been spared my voice, over the last40 years.
Paul Briar, if your out there, please PM me

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 04 Nov 09 - 03:27 PM

I know it's on the Isle of Wight!!!! In a big store in Ventnor. The day is getting closer, honest.

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: RTim
Date: 04 Nov 09 - 09:20 AM

Andy - If you have sorted out your old tapes! - Any sign of the Sounds of the South prog. on Songs collected by George Gardiner for Radio Solent that we did way back in 197??? ?

Tim (I am going to keep on about this!)

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 04 Nov 09 - 08:56 AM

Well done Tim. What a great thread for us old nostalgics.

Did anyone ever start a book? I know I haven't sorted out all my old tapes yet so I mustn't complain.

Andy

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: RTim
Date: 03 Nov 09 - 07:25 PM

Hi All, I just wanted to revive this thread - so many memories, so many great people....

I will be in England next week - not much time to do folk things, but it would be great to see ALL my old friends again - after so many years, maybe another time - Yes, wouldn't be great to get together again?

Best to all - Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: GUEST,Warwick Slade
Date: 21 May 07 - 10:53 AM

The best band in those days of yore was THE STINKIN' PRONG FULL.
Remember them?
might have something to do with Dave Williams & Geoff Gerram

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: GUEST
Date: 19 May 07 - 05:46 AM

Miskin Man, I didn't know that Jackie Whitren sang with a jug band - more info please?

Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
From: dj bass
Date: 18 May 07 - 07:21 AM

Miskin Man mentioned Jaki Whitren. I had a fabulous album by JW released in the early 70s. Somewhere at home I think I still have a couple of tracks on casette. I used to sing one of her songs - A Little Bit Extra Please...

So I just bought that album again after all these years on Amazon. Thanks MM for the reminder.

Any idea what Jaki is doing now? Her myspace doesn't seemto show any gigs, although she does seem to be doing something.

dj