Re Paul Simon's stance on this, it was probably justified on the basis that he was on a commercial route- Ted & Ivy' Swindon club was the antithesis of that.
   In 2003, the inauguration of the 'Cotia' miners' banner depicting Jack Elliott and Jock Purdon, Jack's daughter Doreen was on good terms with Tony Benn & asked him to attend & speak at the event.

   He did just that & spoke at length about the miners and the Elliott family in paricular. About his own career, he mentioned his travels -= when first asked to speak in Australia, he received a form asking many questions- one was whether he had any criminal convictions. At the 'Cotia event, he said he hadn't realised that it was still compulsory...