The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #98858   Message #2956850
Posted By: Al Rutter
02-Aug-10 - 02:33 PM
Thread Name: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
Subject: RE: Pear Tree Inn Southampton
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.