Stan Masom.? Liverpool.

Subject: Stan Mason ? Liverpool.
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 09 Jul 07 - 06:59 AM

In the early 1960's when I first sang at the Spinner's club, Gregsons Well, Liverpool, I met a man who wrote down the name of everyone who sang that night,and the songs he or she sang. I thought nothing of it until I sang at other clubs in the area and found the same man doing the same notation job. It carried on for a number of years, he would come to me before a gig and say 'When you were here 3 years ago you sang..' then would produce the appropriate notebook with all the details. I grew to expect to see him every time I went to the Liverpool area, and got to know him well. But, a lot of time has passed since then and I find my memory of his name is fading. I think it was Stan,or Sam, Mason. Whatever happened to him? Anybody know?. Burl.

Subject: RE: Stan Masom.? Liverpool.
From: Emma B
Date: 09 Jul 07 - 07:11 AM

Most proably not the same Stan but can I do a plug for Folkscene - the longest running folk programme on UK Radio

Subject: RE: Stan Masom.? Liverpool.
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 09 Jul 07 - 07:21 AM

Hi Emma B. It's not the same Stan, this one is Stan boardman if I remember rightly. Now there's a man who knows how to do a folk show that serves the music and the community. All honour to him. Burl.

Subject: RE: Stan Masom.? Liverpool.
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 09 Jul 07 - 07:24 AM

Looking at the subject line I see that I wrote Stan Masom. It should read Mason. Burl.

Subject: RE: Stan Masom.? Liverpool.
From: LesB
Date: 09 Jul 07 - 07:46 AM

Burl it's not Stan Boardman ( he's a scouse comedien) that hosts Folkscen, but Stan Ambrose who was one of the founder members of the Bothy Folk Group, who founded the famous Bothy Folk Club in Southport. Which is still going strong today. The only other member of the Bothy Folk Group still living is Chris Jones who married Hughie out of the Spinners & they now run a Folk Club at the Everyman Theatre Bistro, in Liverpool.
By the way I don't remember a Stan Mason.
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Stan Masom.? Liverpool.
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 09 Jul 07 - 08:22 AM

LesB, you're right. I stand corrected. I'm mortified because (A)Stan Boardman is NOT one of my favourite comedians, but (B) Stan Ambrose IS one of my oldest friends on the folk scene. I've known him for years. How could I mix his name up? Old Father Time is definitely laying his hands on me. I'll forget my own name next. Leadbelly.

Subject: RE: Stan Masom.? Liverpool.
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 09 Jul 07 - 09:33 AM

Stan Mason was indeed the name of the man. Alas I only have vague memories of him nowadays, but I do recall that he was middleaged (latefitieish I would think) when most of us were still in our early 20s. I also recall that he sang, although precisely what I couldn't say, and that he might have written songs. However, I definitely rememember that he was a rambler who, for some reason, was very fond of night rambles.

He was liable to turn up at folkclubs all over Merseyside, but I think regarded Jackie and Bridie's in the Domestic Mission, Mill Street as his main stomping ground.

I also remember that he came one night to the Mersey Traditional Gathering in The Victoria, St John's Lane (not the night Roy Harris sang there). The MTG relied on pass the hat donations to pay for guests, and contributions in the order of 2/6d (12.5p) were requested from the chairman, Tony Wilson. True to alleged form Stan put sixpence in (2.5p)in, an act which did not endear him to the said TW.

My memories of SM would run from about the mid to late sixties when he just seemed to fade away. Unfortunately I know not what happened to him.

In passing, I should add that Roy Harris (why does Roy Harris's name keep cropping up in this discussion? Who is this Burl geezer anyway?)was the only paid guest I ever saw at MTG who actually put his hand in his pocket and proferred the rquested sum when the hat came round. Now is that the action of a true gentleman or is that the action of a true gentlemen ?