Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: pants
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 09:27 AM

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST,pants
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 02:40 PM

Hey all,
Great to see this site. Sweet memories of Tanners. It would be great to see you all back. Maybe some day.
Dutch Jenny

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: Splott Man
Date: 26 Aug 10 - 03:53 AM

You can keep up with folk goings on at and around Tanner Hatch here: http://www.tannersmusic.co.uk/

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST,Barbara
Date: 21 Sep 10 - 03:20 PM

I have such good memories of Tanners Hatch: Graham, a cup of tea, "Good morning sunhine", the low kitchen ceiling, the sounds and the smell of the woods, friendly open minded people, bon fires, sunshine, the peaceful early mornings hours outside on the bench, many many interesting talks, happy times.

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST,Frank Crowley
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 09:58 AM

I used to go to Tanners Hatch every month with my dad Frank for the folk nights back in the late 70s to mid 80s I used to be known as Francis back then. I remember my 1st visit telling the warden Graham that the light was gone so he he sent me to a shed to turn on the generator was gone for ages in the dark. I also remember the tents and the sing songs till the early hours. Graham was a great warden even if he did nick your breakfast, my dad got round it by making him a breakfast. My dad has passed away now but his memories were as fond as mine

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST,Mark Bossanyi - Boz
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 04:26 PM

Great to see Tanner's Hatch is still going strong. I used to go to regularly in the 1970s, and made a terrible name for myself by playing the two most hated instruments in the world - the banjo and the accordion.

Great to see that lots of the people I met there are still going - I remember Tony Harbour, Carol Gardener, Andy Ive, Geoff Chapman, Tim Dowd, Sean, Babs, Anna, Jenny(Tits), Guernsey Pete, Steve Spurling, Carol Tomlyn, Heritage... and Graham Peddie of course. I remember the New Year's eve barbecue out the back the night that the UK joined the Common Market, and a fertility rite organised by Tony Harbour using a coca cola tin for percussion...

If I wasn't currently at the opposite corner of Europe, I'd come and visit at the drop of a hat. If you guys are there, it would be great to see or hear from you again...

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: Mo the caller
Date: 27 Mar 11 - 11:46 AM

Wow.
When a school friend and I stayed at Tanners Hatch in 1959 (?ish) we had the place to ourselves. The warden (female if I remember right) lived somewhere else in the wood.
We really enjoyed the open fire. But had second thoughts when all our clothes smelled of stale woodsmoke for the rest of the week.

Does it still have 2 tier bunks?

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: Mo the caller
Date: 27 Mar 11 - 11:47 AM

3-tier bunks (saw my mistake just as it posted!)

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST,Dave East
Date: 01 Aug 11 - 02:34 PM

Heavens above- I too remember Guernsey Pete- whatever happened to him, married??? I sang with Mary Fookes in Threadbare [1977-8]; A Carol Gardner I knew- fiddle player and sacred harp singer- died of MS several years back, and was cremated at Golders Green crem..

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 01 Aug 11 - 02:54 PM

Easty Beastie!! Wow, hi... long time no see. Guernsey Pete posted in a Mudcat discussion not too long ago (last year sometime?) so is clearly still around and sounded fine. If I can find the thread I'll dig it out and post a link. I'm so sorry to hear about Carol - I was staying at Tanner's Hatch one time when she was there also, and the two of us played for some dancers, me on recorder. Didn't Mary Fookes also sing with Heritage at one time? If so, I have some great memories of doing some pub-harmonies with her in an afternoon singaround during one of my Tanner's stays (possibly the same time as when Carol was there).

Actually, I thought I'd posted to this thread already. I used to love Tanner's, and, funnily enough, discovered it through a non-folkie. One of the weekends they had a fantastic costume event, and the entire Graham Petty family showed up rigged out in Medieval gear - even the dog, who sported a fine blue silk cape (I was quite jealous). What a great thread this is. What great memories.

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 01 Aug 11 - 03:00 PM

Guernsey Pete popped his head up in this thead (another nostalgia fest for folkies of A Certain Age):

Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s

http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=36295#2856244

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 01 Aug 11 - 03:54 PM

PS: Am I right in thinking that - at one time, at least - the hostel had no electricity? I seem to remember playing my harp solely by firelight and cooking in the kitchen by gaslight - piped in through decidedly Victorian-looking overhead fittings. I recall how blue-ish the atmosphere was. Is this fact or deteriorating brain cells? (Or both...?)

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 01 Aug 11 - 04:02 PM

...and the answer iiiiiiiiiiiiis:

Deteriorating brain cells [round of applause]

> It is a very old building (about 500 years) which still has gas lighting and an open log fire

D'OH!

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: Splott Man
Date: 02 Aug 11 - 11:58 AM

I haven't stayed there for a few years, but I think the hostel now has electrickery (the YHA insisted a few years back), and the warden now lives on-site (after a fashion).
I'm still very much in touch with the old crowd (60s onwards).
Mary did indeed sing with Heritage.

I received a "Good God, are you still at it?" missive from Guernsey Pete in February this year.
He's still in London, playing with a barn dance band and doing the odd floor spot.
As regards Carol he says "We were able to give her a good send-off; a packed
chapel and 16 past and present members of the Sacred Harp group to sing her favourite
hymn in 4-part unaccompanied harmony. And people jumping up and down to give
testimonies to her. That was three years ago this July."

I owe a lot to Tanners, and am pleased to say that my kids have formed lasting friendships as a result of going there when they were small.

Splott Man

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: Max Johnson
Date: 08 Aug 11 - 11:37 AM

Hi Bonnie - Yes, Mary Fookes, on loan from Heritage, sang with myself, Dave and Norman Western for a while in the short-lived a cappella group Threadbare. We did a month-long tour of Germany together. Mary is an excellent harmony singer and squeezebox player.

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: My guru always said
Date: 08 Sep 11 - 03:39 AM

There'll be singing at Tanners this weekend.....

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: Spleen Cringe
Date: 08 Sep 11 - 04:00 AM

Did the 'best of' cassette that Bob Merritt mentioned at the start of this thread ever materialise? If it did, it would be great to put it up at Lost Folk Tapes along with a few people's reminscences about Tanners. That's the sort of thing we're there for, you know...

Please email [e-mail] if you're interested or know someone who might be...

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: Richard Atkins
Date: 08 Sep 11 - 09:28 PM

Spleen Cringe
Bobs little recorder and some tapes are with me to sort then!

I did take care of Bob. Provided him with a car and took him to his last Sidmouth reunion. Mentioned above on the thread, I took him to the Chricketers in Dorking to get him out of his flat and cheer him up!

I will be at Tanners on Saturday.

The Cricketers now have been granted a garden misic licence to enjoy on Sunday for those to party on ?
With enthusiastic hoast, and no interfering sunday lunches !!!

For those that dont drink wine a plug for Surrey Hill Shere Drop.
At the rear of Dendies 4 Pint takeway £7.50, off sales close 5 PM

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: Spleen Cringe
Date: 09 Sep 11 - 07:03 AM

Hi Richard,

Thanks for that - if you do get a chance to sort them out and think putting some of them up at LFT for people to hear would be a good idea, do get in touch via the website or a PM at the 'cat...

Cheers

Spleen/Nigel

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST,brian milne
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 02:17 PM

Tales to tell, oh so many. I am trying to remember the name of an American who turned up cycling in the 1970s then stayed for quite some time. He was quite neurotic but it made him twice as much fun, giggled and laughed a lot and took nothing especially seriously. I think he simply rode away, well after pushing his bike to smoother ground, just the way he came. Thinking back I think I learned so much through things, people, music, walking and so on that it is part of who I am. I would turn up at folk nights if I lived a great deal closer, but have not done so for so long. I know I have grown older, but my shock when Graham finished was stunning. I'll think of some of the tales I can recall in time, oh yes if the brain recalls them.

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 23 Oct 11 - 08:23 PM

And did anyone do the Tanners Marathon? I did in the late 1960s. Still have the cert. somewhere. That was the days of the Brighton YHA Group. I wonder what's happened to them? I think that we were friendly rivals to Croydon Group. Then there was the Ridgeway Marathon from Streatley YHA with Oxford and Abingdon YHA Groups. I also remember the folk sessions and dances in the 1960s/70s at Ivinghoe YHA. I think they were run by one Mick Howell from Kidlington. Happy days - when life was simpler and it was safer to cycle on the roads. Now-a-days I fear for my life on public transport let alone as a vulnerable cyclist.

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: Splott Man
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 11:16 AM

I did the Tanners Marathon twice in my teens, first time when I was about 14 or 15. That was my first brush with place. The second time I was about 18 and really went for it, and despite getting lost in the early stages, managed to finish 8th (I have to stress it was never a competitive event) I still have the medal and the 2 certificates in a box somewhere in a cupboard.

Splott Man

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST,Dom Bonito
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 11:27 AM

Blimey! Tanner's Hatch. The North West Three used to guest there about 45 years ago, along with a guy named Alan Harlow who seems to have disappeared of the face of the earth. One of our sessions coincided with a visit from a BBC producer who was making a Schools programme about Youth Hostelling. He thought it would be a good idea to include a glimpse of the folk nights so he duly booked us along with Alan. The thing that stands out in my mind, was the producer's jacket catching fire when he was lounging against the mantelpiece. We were paid 30 quid for that gig but they sent the cheque to Alan and we never got our share.

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST,Coen Theelen (Holland)
Date: 24 Nov 11 - 06:05 PM

Hello good Tanners people,
I used to come and go at Tanners in the years 1977-79. Regulars then were Jewish John (Tarsche), Old Albert (walked like an Indian to and fro the Bookham pub - Royal Oak?), a certain Sevenoaks whom I never met, Rik van Doeselaar (Tilburg, Netherlands) and some Bob on his Bob-bike. Never forget the first two of these, they were absolutely special. Would Jewish John still be alive and something? Ask Graham.
I spent Christmas '77 with some 15 other auto-selective people. I still cherish these days every now and then. Please react if you were there.
I've never again been at a place like Tanners and right now I think I will anonymously return one of these years. Still very young and wild at heart, of course.
Coen Theelen, Beek (near Maastricht), Netherlands

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: Galloping Gwdihw
Date: 17 Jan 12 - 03:49 PM

Yes I remember Tanners with GREAT affection, as a matter of fact it'll be the 30th anniversary of the very first time I went there come Feb 10th, just over 3 weeks from now... started going there with school and it felt more like home than my actual home did. Even though it's been modernized and had electrickery installed since my last visit in '93, I'm assured that it still feels like Tanners, that the vibe is still the same; hoping to make it back some time this year, for my first visit in almost 2 decades, I daresay it'll feel as if I'd never been away. Must drop in on Graham in the day centre where he's now working, too... I owe a lot to him, a good man with no pretensions; and I'll never forget that laugh of his!

@Coen Theelen: Jewish Jon, eh? What a character... I distinctly remember the first time I met him, during my second school trip to Tanners in March '82. My teacher didn't take to him AT ALL, particularly when he heard Jon telling us some jokes such as:
"What's the difference between a baby and a seagull? A seagull flits along the shore"
and
"What's the difference between a drunken marksman and a constipated owl? A drunken marksman shoots but can't hit".
Now, I and most of my classmates had, to varying degrees, fallen in love with Tanners so a few months later we begged our teacher to take us on another trip there. So he agreed to arrange one, saying:
..."But we can't go if That Man is there - I'm sorry!"
LOL...

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST,monksy
Date: 26 Feb 12 - 05:24 PM

Bonnie, I have just checked this after several months. By coincidence just talking about you and Pakkie Byrne last week. Is he still with us. I remember him playing the whistle at our party in Dartmouth Road.
Mary is living a blameless life in retirement, but I cannot get her to sing any more.
re Tanners Marathon - me and Babs and Hilary took the easy way out by staffing Graham's famous refreshment points. Also did one for the Night Hike once on Leith Hill in November. What a long cold night that was! Anyone remember Tony Hammock .......?

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 27 Feb 12 - 08:13 AM

Hi Monksy (if you're who I'm thinking of, you used to live down the street from me in Mapesbury Road for awhile, didn't you?)

Not only is Packie still very much with us, he just celebrated his 95th birthday last week (Feb 18th)! He's now based in Donegal, in his home village (or the nearest one to it, because his family's cottage was up in the moors) of Ardara. A number of folkies came over for the weekend and much merriment was to be had. How great to hear from you! Love this thread.

B xxx

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST,Sarahc
Date: 12 Mar 12 - 02:17 PM

Hi,

Just found this thread while visiting.

The dates for the folk w/ends this year at the hostel are:

11-13th May, 7-9th Sept, 7-9 Dec. We would be delighted to see some old faces and hear some stories....

Book beds / camping with the warden who is now called Andy...

(Typing this with the 'famous' Sevenoaks...)

Cheers,

Sarah

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST,Barbara
Date: 17 Mar 12 - 02:08 AM

Names like Sevenoaks, Jewish John, Jack Spackman and most of all Grahem Peddie - ring a bell in my heart. I have great memories of Tanners Hatch. So many summers my friends and I went there and always had enchanted times out there in the woods. Graham's: "Good morning sunshine" and "bed time, bed time" is still in my ears. Tanners has changed since he is gone, but it is still the same charming cottage, hidden away from the "busy" world. Tanners has changed me, with it's openess and special hospitality created by it's extraordinary warden. I never found anything I could compare with it in my home country.

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST,Guest old-un
Date: 17 Oct 12 - 08:26 AM

It is with great sadness that I Must inform you of the passing of Pete Newman.
He sang for a while with Geoff Chapman, and latter just went to enjoy the folk.
He was a frequent visitor to Tanners although he did have years of disertions and would then turn up out of the blue.

A whit and a strong character, he was my friend.

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST,tax
Date: 18 Oct 12 - 01:51 PM

...I think the news of Newman's death is a tad premature

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: Hamish
Date: 19 Oct 12 - 04:16 AM

Yes - nice work, "old-un". You've caused quite a lot of upset and anxiety. Hilarious. Not.

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST,The dead man
Date: 19 Oct 12 - 06:18 AM

I am well and living.
Medical update for all interested…
I had my left first finger surgically removed from my ear 1976.
Had implants to prevent singing through both nostrils 1980.
Preventing me from singing the 72 verses of Bold Robin Hood and also stopping me "making the rafters roar…".
However any contributions to my premature Wake will be accepted.. NOW I am not getting any younger.
Whit..
I assure all that I have definitely more than a Whit of Wit.
I hope "Old-un" this was a honest mistake, I look forward to meeting ou.
Thank you GUEST Tax
Thank you Hamish
Spread the word of my resurrection.

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: My guru always said
Date: 19 Oct 12 - 06:48 AM

Very glad to hear that news of your passing was premature.

I also hope that this was an honest mistake or misunderstanding, it certainly sounded as if Guest old-un was being sincere. If so, I'm sure that he/she will be very glad to hear this news.

But perhaps another with the same name has passed on?

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: Galloping Gwdihw
Date: 05 Dec 12 - 02:59 AM

@The Dead Man - Whew!!! Pleased to hear that you're still alive and well. D'ya remember me Emma Matthews - you know, the quiet, batshit crazy one? Just as batshit crazy, but not quite so quiet anymore. Please feel free to look me up on facebook if you feel like it, I'm in the facebook group "I Used To Haunt Tanners Hatch Youth Hostel During Graham Peddies's Era".

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST,Yvonne Appleby (nee Wilson)
Date: 16 Feb 13 - 08:45 AM

My goodness, how my heart leapt when I came across this!

I spent many extremely happy times at Tanners in the mid-70s. I first stayed with a group of schoolfriends from Sutton in 1974 on a week's tour of Holmbury St Mary, Ewhurst, Tanners and Hindhead. We stayed in the annexe and had a riot - midnight picnics, frightening ourselves with ghost stories, and so on. We all fell head-over-heels for Graham and his no-nonsense straighforwardness and wicked fun.

Subsequently, because we lived only a few miles away, we used to come down for weekends. I remember looking forward to the arrival of Shaun, another weekender from Kent, who used to come on his bike with all the makings of bread-and-butter pudding for all.

I remember with affection, too, Bob and Canadian Barri. Lots of singing, joking and friendly conversation and company.

Tanners was a marvel - a really happy, lively, active place where anyone was welcome who would muck in. I suspect it's still like it, even after Graham. It's enchanted.

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Mar 13 - 05:36 PM

I was one of those when I weas about 14 - not funny!!! :-)

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST,Monksy
Date: 02 May 13 - 03:39 PM

Hello Yvonne
I remember you.
Barri is back in Canada she is a fantastic horticulturist. We managed to keep in contact this lief long time.

But I would love to know what happened to Sean Hayden (and his bike). He was one of the best, and put me straight a few times.

There was one time when Graham sent us out to place the orienteering posts in the woods .... ....   thank goodness Sean could navigate!
hope all is well with you

Anna

PS Message for Bonnie - yes Paul and I were your neighbours in Dartmouth Road

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST,Will Spurling
Date: 01 Oct 14 - 08:58 AM

Hi all,

My late father was Steve Spurling who passed away in January 2013. He frequented Tanners Hatch in the 70s and was good friends with Bob Merrett. Bob and Dad made contact again after Bob married the mother of my school friend Nicola Wingrove. I remember when I met Bob he told me about his tapes and that he had recordings of my Dad. Tonight I remembered this and thought I'd love to hear them and Google searched his name and Tanners Hatch and found this thread.

Richard Atkins, please get in touch on 07825322456 if you can. Before my Dad passed away he asked me to finish his album he'd been making at home, including recordings of our band (me on drums). I'd love to hear what he sounded like before I was born.

Thanks all

Will Spurling

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST,Will Spurling
Date: 01 Oct 14 - 09:05 AM

Also my email address is [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: My guru always said
Date: 02 Oct 14 - 02:53 AM

Will - have printed your request out for Richard Atkins, he'll see it later today. This may take a while....

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: Richard Atkins
Date: 02 Oct 14 - 09:49 PM

Hi Will

Loft search today found Bobs photos and programs of Festivals past.

Still hunting for the tapes.

I will call you when I can be more positive.

All regards and fond memories of Bob.

Richard

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST,Will Spurling
Date: 13 Oct 14 - 09:39 AM

Hello Richard and My Guru Always Said,

Thank you very much for your help, I really appreciate it!

Best regards,

Will.

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: Splott Man
Date: 14 Oct 14 - 06:33 PM

Hi Will, I was a friend of Steve and played quite a bit with him at Tanners and elsewhere back in the early seventies.
I've found my copy of Bob Merrett's archive with quite a few tracks of him playing. I've had the tapes digitised but haven't yet separated the tracks - there's a lot of other people playing on them too. I'll have a go at separating them over the next couple of weeks (when I've got a minute!). I'll let you know how I get on. As Guru said - This may take a while...

All the best

Splott Man

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: Richard Atkins
Date: 14 Oct 14 - 08:57 PM

Hi will
Brill news from Splott man!

I have found Bobs tapes. These are Middle Bar Singers only but he recorded himself as well, fond memories.

I also have video of him driving my car, fond scary memories! :>)

I will be in contact with you soon.

All the best

Richard

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 15 Oct 14 - 03:54 AM

I've just re-read Bob's original post and wondered if "Dick and Mel" = the Henrywoods, now at Bow Station, Crediton - who helped put together the Cicely Fox Smith commemoration in June this year...?

Kitty

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: Splott Man
Date: 15 Oct 14 - 07:19 AM

Hi Kitty.
I haven't seen Dick & Mel for 35 years or more, but he was tall and gangly, and she was a lot shorter. I think they rode a motorbike.

Splott Man

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 15 Oct 14 - 12:25 PM

Ned - Dick Henrywood is definitely tall and gangly and plays concertina. I think he dealt in antiques. He and Melanie (who is a lovely singer)lived near Andover for a while and performed with Doug and Sue Bailey as One Bar Too Many around 20 years ago, then moved to Devon. Their son Ross is a good singer too! I last heard them at Jon Shapley's 60th birthday party in the Bedford Hotel in Sidmouth in Augus.

Kitty

PS and Dick has written a wonderful song about villages with double-barrelled names!

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: Splott Man
Date: 15 Oct 14 - 02:27 PM

Well Kitty, from the info you've given me, I managed to find pictures online, and I think we're talking about two different Dicks & Mels.
There you go.

Splott Man

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: Splott Man
Date: 15 Oct 14 - 02:28 PM

100!

I thought I'd get in before Leadfingers!

Splott Man