Dick,

Are you really serious about Smethurst? if so I expect you next to be asking if he was influenced by The Kippers or perhaps Rambling Sid Rumpole?

One thing I do remember about the times that I met Walter is that he appeared to be the keeper of the one time village band's instruments. He had a bass drum and a flute or fife that he showed us. I expect Jim or Mike Yates could throw a bit more light on it.