Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'

Subject: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: Banjiman
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 01:51 PM

All the talk of Lincoln Cathedral (see separate thread) has taken me back to my childhood so here goes:

Does anyone else remeber the Broadside? I am sitting here looking at a copy of "Songs From The Stocks" which I inherited from my Dad (mentioned in the Lincoln Cathedral thread). As well as containing 2 John Conolly classics (Fiddler's Green & Punch & Judy Man) it has lot's of other good stuff.

I have fond memories of watching the group from when I was absolutely tiny, and my Mum claims they used to come round for tea! I can't say I remember this though.

I am aware that both John and Brian Dawson are both still going strong, if anyone is in touch with them perhaps you could mention my Dad's name (Peter Arrowsmith, he died in 1983) and if they have any recollections let me know.

I would be interested to know what has happened to the other's as well (Bill Meek, Tom Smith and Mike Lee).

Finally (after this the rest of the day is your own....) I seem to keep just missing John Connolly at various folk clubs and events. Does anyone have any info when he or Brian Dawson are playing.

Thanks

Paul

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: Sooz
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 02:22 PM

You can see Brian Dawson at Gainsborough Folk Festival in October and probably also at the Lincolnshire Folk Autumn event at Gainsborough Old Hall on 16th September.
Conolly is all over the place, as you know, but is occasionally joined by Bill Meek who has been recently tempted out of retirement.
Tommy Smith who played the banjo lives not far from Gainsborough but doesn't play much mow. Mike Lee unfortunately died in about 1976.
I also have "Songs from the Stocks" and "The Moon Shone Bright".

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: Banjiman
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 02:33 PM

Thanks Sooze, I have just found a copy of "A Collection of Catchpennies" from 1968 (I would have been 3!) as well. I will have a listen later.

Your link to Gainsborough Folk Festival site doesn't seem to work from here (must be too far north...) What date is it?

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: Rasener
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 02:34 PM

Tommy Smith lives very close to me in Market Rasen and still plays at the Reely Grim Folk Dance Club which is on tomorrow. Brian Dawson normally picks Tom up, so he should be playing as well.

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: Sooz
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 02:39 PM

October 19th - 21st

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: Banjo-Flower
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 03:07 PM

Tom Smith was one of the people who inspired me to take up playing the tenor banjo
I also go to the Reely Grim club and feel privilaged to be playing along with him and Brian

Gerry

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: Rasener
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 03:18 PM

Its always a great event Banjo Flower and I beleieve that pub has won the CAMRA award for its real ales this year or soemthing like that. Come on all you backwoodsmen and women and get there and support it.

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: Rasener
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 03:24 PM

Before you lose it !!!

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: oggie
Date: 17 Jul 07 - 03:45 AM

Yet more memories.

Back in the early seventies there were two main dance bands in the area (I lived in Lincoln), "Redwing" with whom Pete Arrowsmith played (A big B/C/C# Paolo Sopranii) who used to do the dances in Lincoln and the Broadside who used to do ceilidhs at Immingham Civic Centre (and off course Cleethorpes Festival, in those days on the pier). Callers would be guests, Hugh Rippon, Brian Chapman and Walt Tingle were regulars.

I was a dancer before I became a musician and singer, I heard live folksong for the first time at a Broadside ceilidh and the two people responsible for getting me playing were Pete Arrowsmith (who sold me my first concertina) and Brian Dawson. Age 16 or 17 I got a copy o O'Neill's 1001 and Brian went through it marking the tunes I should l know for sessions.

When his other commitments allowed Brian would also play with the "Whispering Dwarfs" who I was with for about a year when I was 18. Line up was John and Maureen Pape (now Maureen Sutton), Martin (a mad Irish banjo player based at RAF Scampton) and me (by accident I think). Fun times.

My sister has our copy of "Songs from the Stocks", I have the 10 inch of Lincolnshire Folk Songs and their later one whose name escapes but is equally brilliant with Sailortown etc on it (LPs are in storage post floods)

All the best

Steve Ogden

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: Rasener
Date: 17 Jul 07 - 04:11 AM

Saw John Pape at the Dog & Bone in Lincoln the other week. He attends the Write Note at the Lincoln Library

John Pape

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: GUEST,Andy
Date: 17 Jul 07 - 05:22 AM

Message to Villan. Hi there mate. If you come across Brian Dawson tomorrow, (or any time in the near future), would you ask him to ring me regarding another gig at Kiveton Park Folk Club. He's a lovely performer and a favourite at the club but he's difficult to get hold of! He'll no doubt have my number. Thanks for owt you can do.

Regards
Andy
(sorry for slight thread drift)

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: Rasener
Date: 17 Jul 07 - 05:29 AM

Andy
I am afraid that I won't be able to make it to Reely Grim tonight. However Banjo Flower will be going and I am sure he will not mind passing on the message to Brian.
Les

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: Banjiman
Date: 17 Jul 07 - 05:39 AM

This thread is great for me, connecting Wendy and my current folky activities all the way back to my Childhood...I guess that is what this music is all about.

Thanks everyone and keep it coming. Thanks Oggie for the PM.

Andy, if you do manage to tie Brian down to a gig at Kiveton Park, we would love to do a floor spot on the same evening (we are in North Yorks so not too far ). As you can tell from this thread I would love to catch up with him.
Have a listen to our stuff at www.myspace.com/wendyarrowsmith and see if we are up to scratch!

See...no thread drift at all

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: Banjo-Flower
Date: 17 Jul 07 - 06:01 AM

Guest Andy,I will pass your message on to Brian tonight if He's there

Gerry

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: GUEST,Kampervan
Date: 17 Jul 07 - 07:26 AM

"Does anyone remember the Broadside?"!!!

Brilliant band. They were the chief residents of Grimsby folk club during my formative years.

Bill Meek taught Biology at Wintringham Grammar (my sister was in his class)and John Conolly was frequently spotted at work during my weekly visit to the Central Library.

Other bands around at the time included Silver Birch (as a singing band, not just ceilidhs) and Galley.
Grimsby really was a hotbed of talent!!

Great times

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: Rasener
Date: 17 Jul 07 - 07:56 AM

Bill & John were on at Faldingworth live recently.

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: Banjo-Flower
Date: 18 Jul 07 - 09:29 AM

Message passed to Brian,Andy
He'll get in touch when he can find your telephone no

Apparently he's a bit disorganised at the moment due to circumstances beyond his control

Gerry

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: GUEST,Andy
Date: 18 Jul 07 - 12:56 PM

Banjo-Flower,
Ta very much for your efforts. Much appreciated.

Andy

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: Banjo-Flower
Date: 18 Jul 07 - 05:40 PM

You're welcome

Gerry

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: GUEST,Jacqued
Date: 19 Jul 07 - 03:12 PM

Banjiman,   John will be at The Bridlington Folk Club Tuesday 06 Oct 07!

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: Banjiman
Date: 19 Jul 07 - 03:44 PM

Thanks Jacqued, I have 6th Oct as a Saturday in my calender (and the talented one- Mrs Banjiman is on at Ingleton FF).

I don't think Brid is in a different timezone to Northallerton..... or maybe it is?

Here's hoping it is the Tuesday not the 6th?

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: GUEST,John Conolly
Date: 12 Aug 07 - 06:05 AM

I remember The Broadside - didn't they used to be famous ? (well,in North Lincolnshire,anyway..). Hi there Paul - I remember your Dad,and the REALLY famous Redwings,without whom there would probably have been no Broadside Ceilidh band,as we inherited the amazing Brian Dawson,his accordion,and most of our tunes from them !
   Congratulations on still possessing a copy of "A Collection of Catchpennies",which won awards for the most cheaply-produced LP in folk history -it came in a plain white sleeve (the Beatles later stole the design concept) and the cover illustration came on a separate adhesive sheet which we licked and stuck on ourselves - so each remaining copy contains an authentic Broadside DNA sample ,and is therefore priceless (and possibly contagious..)
    My gig at Bridlington is, in fact, Tues.6th NOVEMBER,not October (I hope -that's when I'm turning up,anyway !) and you could also catch me at Whitby Festival where I'm appearing for the final 3 days,22-24 Aug.Then I'm at Fylde Festival.31 Aug-2 Sept,and,if you fancy doing an expedition back into darkest Lincolnshire,I'm guesting at the Louth Folk Club,Masons Arms,on Tues 25 Sept. Come along and update your album collection (we don't do the wax cylinders any more ,due to Global Warming or should that be "Cylindrical Warming" ? All the best - John Conolly.

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: Rasener
Date: 12 Aug 07 - 06:15 AM

I bettre book my ticket for Louth then John

Les Worrall

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: Charley Noble
Date: 12 Aug 07 - 07:43 PM

Nice thread!

That's one of the reasons I keep looking at threads that I know nothing about.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: Banjiman
Date: 13 Aug 07 - 03:23 AM

John,

I really appreciate the post.

Do you know when you are on at Fylde? We are there on Friday night (Mrs Banjiman is playing at Penny Black's MySpace Gig, advertised elsewhere on Mudcat) but have to be back in Yorkshire on Saturday (for another Mrs Banjiman Gig!).

If this doesn't work I'll make sure we catch you at one of the other dates you mention.

I wonder who's DNA I have on my copy of "A Collection of Catchpennies"?

Paul

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: Folkiedave
Date: 13 Aug 07 - 05:59 AM

Brian was at the Bradfield Traditional Music weekend over the weekend.

He gave a fascination talk about Percy Grainger and his informants, illustrated with his excellent singing. He sang again at one of the singarounds on Sunday.

He seemed well - but his mother is not too good - not surprising since she is well over 90 (!!) - but otherwise he seemed very well. And in excellent fettle.

Ask him how many venues he has performed at in Lincolnshire!! You will be gobsmacked at the answer.

Dave

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: GUEST,John Conolly
Date: 13 Aug 07 - 08:47 AM

For the benefit of Mr and Mrs Banjiman - I am indeed at Fylde on the Friday night - at the "Northern Lights" concert at the gasworkers Club .It starts at 7.30 and I'm 2nd turn on - hope to see you there!
   Les - hope to see you at Louth ,mate ! All the best - John.

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: Banjiman
Date: 13 Aug 07 - 11:25 AM

John,

Thanks. I think there is a clash with Wendy's gig at Fylde. Are you on in the evening (rather than daytime) of the 24th at Whitby? If so where & when?

Thanks

Paul

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: GUEST,John Conolly
Date: 16 Aug 07 - 04:23 AM

Paul - re Whitby on Fri.24th - I'm in a concert which starts 7.30 at the Resolution Concert Room - it looks like I'm the last act on,which will make it about 10.30 pm. Should be a good concert ,with Martyn Wyndham Read,Spiers & Boden ,Alister Anderson etc . - how am I gonna follow that lot ??? Cheers - John.

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: Banjiman
Date: 16 Aug 07 - 04:56 AM

Thanks John,

All things being equal we should see you then. It will be good to see you again after (by my calculation) about 35 years!

Regarding your "support" acts I'm sure it will be no problem for you!

Anyway you think you've got problems.....we had to follow Vin Garbutt,John Wright Band and Marie Little on Sunday performing Wendy's winning song at Saltburn FF (see
Saltburn 2007 Competitions ) and were followed by Last Night's Fun....I think we did OK though. Biggest audience I've ever played to, Wendy claims a bigger one for a school production though!

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: GUEST,kampervan
Date: 16 Aug 07 - 07:10 PM

Well I don't think that an appreciation of Broadside and John Conolly would be complete without a mention of John's Mum, Vi Conolly.

She could entertain any audience with her wonderful songs, (mostly of the 'double entendre' variety), and her warmth and enthusiasm were irrepressible. Her all too rare visits to the Royal Oak folk club in Grimsby invariably left the whole audience laughing, clapping and shouting for more.

A lovely lady with a very talented son.

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: GUEST,Ian
Date: 05 Sep 12 - 06:30 AM

Wonderful memories. My first introduction to their music was at the Fire Service College in Moreton in Marsh many many years ago. I met up with a lad from Grimsby Fire Service, sadly lost contact as you do when you get older, he gave me a copied tape of their Songs from the stocks, just love it to bits. It has sadly dies and I would love to get some more of their music.

Does anybody know where I could purchase some?

Thanks, keep remembering.

ian.

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: GUEST,tony price
Date: 27 Jul 16 - 05:30 PM

someone mentioned the grimsby group Silverbirch, saw them several times around 1970/71 I think. Great group, their LP is now out on cd. anyone remember Aquarius folk club and another Lincoln club that used to be down High St, can't remember the name but John and Maureen Pape were regulars. Magna Carter at the cathedral in 1970....so, so cold that night. i could go on, let me know if you want me to LOL

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 28 Jul 16 - 07:14 AM

AFAIK, Silver Birch are no longer in existence - Derek Rushmer sadly passed away a number of years ago, I believe the band continued for a while, but I haven't heard anything of them for several years.

John Pape is still active - I saw him at the club in Eagle on Monday last, and I bump into him regularly at various other Lincs folk clubs and venues. Maureen Sutton doesn't seem to be active in the folk-scene any more - she ran the Lincoln FC up until it's days at the Regency Club in Tentercroft Street, but it moved some years ago to Nettleham and subsequently to The Unison Club in Beaumont Fee in Lincoln, where it still meets fortnightly on Fridays.

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 28 Jul 16 - 12:01 PM

I have the Vinyl LP and an odd song (off of it) has stood me in good stead for some years ~ the Broadside band

Remember Vi Conolly and "Me husbands got no courage in him", Brian Dawson and Cleethorpes folk festivals of old on the Pier and then The Winter gardens ~ always rained

Ray

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Jul 16 - 01:35 PM

I'm sure Silver birch are still on the go as a ceilidh band with Ian Rushmer (Dereks brother) playing fiddle

Gerry

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: Banjo-Flower
Date: 28 Jul 16 - 01:37 PM

cookie reset

Gerry

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: GUEST,MickB
Date: 28 Jul 16 - 01:41 PM

Ee, I remember them. It must have been about my second visit to a Folk Club - The Grapes, on Trippet Lane in Sheffield - and they sang a song about Hewitt's Ale.

   Chorus: It can't fail, it can't fail,   
          That ubiquitous fluid they call Hewitt's ale.   

   It was probably only the second time I'd heard 'ubiquitous' as well. Great night though, but.   
    And what became of Hewitt's Ale?

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 28 Jul 16 - 01:54 PM

Hewitt's was a local Grimsby brewer, they were taken over many, many years ago by (I think) the Watneys empire, and disappeared.

We always used to say "A pint of Hewitt, and spew it".

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 28 Jul 16 - 04:07 PM

Gerry, you could well be right, Silver Birch may still be playing. Ian was still playing witH them after Derek passed away. I haven't heard mention of them for some years, but you move more in ceilidh circles than I do, so I'd have to defer to you!

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jan 20 - 10:16 AM

Bill Meek taught
Geology at Wintringham Grammar.
He was a clever man as he was a Cambridge graduate.
He was also a very thoughtful and kind person.
He put a concert on once of his Broadside band to get enough money together to pay for his 6th form geology students to go to the Isle of Arran!
I was one of them and would like to thank him, has anybody got any contact details for him?

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Nov 20 - 05:07 AM

Mike Whyte and I, Michael Bonner started the Gainsborough Folk Club in 1969 and we had the Broadside as guests frequently for about 10 pounds and drinks at the White Hart hotel.

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 11 Nov 20 - 08:09 AM

Spare Hands (Hull) have recorded 2 of the Broadside's songs, Fiddler's Green on our trawling album, and Lincoln Castle by Bill on our waterways album, and I am proud to say I'm in possession of their book The Singing River. We do have some cracking songs north of the river but we're not averse to pinching good south bank songs.

Little story regarding John:
My father-in-law the late Goff Sherburn of Goole (Chris's dad) many years ago asked John if he would sing Fiddler's Green, his favourite song, at his funeral. When Goff passed a few years ago one of the family rang John and asked him if he would come and sing. John's response was immediate and typical of the man we love, 'You try and stop me. I never renege on a booking!'

Subject: RE: Does anyone remember 'The Broadside'
From: konig
Date: 24 Apr 21 - 11:10 AM

Does anyone have a copy of the Eastern Approaches: The residents
of the Grimsby Folk Song Club (1973) Lp? Does anyone have a copy of this recorded to digital or a copy for sale? Let me know?