Obit: Peter Chopping ( CHOPS)- 4 April 2010

Subject: RE: Obit: Peter Chopping ( CHOPS)- 4 April 2010
From: GUEST, Geoff Kewell
Date: 24 Apr 12 - 11:36 AM

Have just read the above sad news after googling Pete's name. His name just came into my head while listening to a jazz CD.
I had many hairy adventures with Pete back when we were both young and fancy free. Many involved cars (Austin Healy 100/6, Jaguar SS 2.5, MG M type etc). Many involved girls (no, I won't name them but some were Young Conservatives). Many involved music. All involved copious amount of drink. Pete played bass with myself on guitar in a jazz combo called Fingers Phelps and the Ragtime Rythme Kings!! We drove to giggs in an old Morris 8 with the bass sticking out of the sunroof, with the neck wrapped in an old Mac. I was at Pete Hick's flat in Crayford on the day that the Crayfolk were born. I was offered a place but was too busy. I was in at the formation of both Dartford and Farningham Clubs and played with then on several occasions. I could go on rambling for ever. By the way, does anybody remember Rambling Jack Elliot at Dartford?
Cheers Pete. I often think of you.
Geoff Kewell.
PS. [e-mail] if anybody remembers me and wants to gove me a shout

Subject: RE: Obit: Peter Chopping ( CHOPS)- 4 April 2010
From: breezy
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 08:44 AM

Some how I've just caight up with this thread
Knew the boys back in the 60s
I had them do a gig in Mottingham to get a failing little club out of the red for the organiser who had handed it over to me
They packed it out, and the original organiser was ree-imbursed , and told to be be more careful next time

They and Pete were frequent supporters of the Catford club as well as the stalwarts of the Dartford and Farningham clubs.

I will always recall 'little' Pete Chopping

I remember the song he claimed to have learned from a busker.
He said he kept giving him money to sing the same song over and over
It was about a man who drank.
Was this to be Pete's epitaph ?



The last time I saw him was at Walton back in 03 though I did meet him in Wadebridge once.

Subject: RE: Obit: Peter Chopping ( CHOPS)- 4 April 2010
From: billybob
Date: 25 Jan 11 - 09:18 AM

nice to hear more stories of Chops, where did you work with him Ade?

Subject: RE: Obit: Peter Chopping ( CHOPS)- 4 April 2010
From: GUEST,Ade
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 02:38 PM

I lost touch with Pete several years ago and have just found out about his passing. I had the pleasure of working with Pete back in the seventies and have many memories (I think) of having lunchtime drinks with Pete that somehow spilled over into the evening. I think that we only kept our jobs because our boss was an alcoholic and wanted the company.
Saddened but pleasant memories of a lovely man who wouldn't have hurt a fly but could certainly make you laugh.
I'll have a drink to you tonight Pete.

Ade

Subject: RE: Obit: Peter Chopping ( CHOPS)- 4 April 2010
From: vectis
Date: 25 Apr 10 - 06:16 PM

I was away when Pete died so only found out today. He will be missed by many of the Essex crews. Turrah Mate!

Subject: RE: Obit: Peter Chopping ( CHOPS)- 4 April 2010
From: GUEST,Derek Sarjeant
Date: 25 Apr 10 - 05:41 AM

Sorry I couldn't get to Pete's Funeral He joined Hazel & Myself on several gigs in the 60/70's playing Bass and guitar and we became good friends. Peter was an excellent craftsman and in 1970 he customised my Martin 018 and Hazel's Yamaha FG180 Guitar. He inlaid the fingerboards with original designed mother of pearl motifs. Both guitars are still in excellent order , Peter's work having stood the test of time. I know that he made a few guitars in the 60's - I wonder what happened to them ?

Subject: RE: Obit: Peter Chopping ( CHOPS)- 4 April 2010
From: billybob
Date: 13 Apr 10 - 06:27 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Obit: Peter Chopping ( CHOPS)- 4 April 2010
From: GUEST,mickp
Date: 12 Apr 10 - 02:57 PM

hi all, just spoken to kath, petes partner. his funeral is next monday at the walton on the naze parish church at 2pm and burial at kirby cross cemetery. cheers mick.

Subject: RE: Obit: Peter Chopping ( CHOPS)- 4 April 2010
From: Girl Friday
Date: 08 Apr 10 - 07:17 PM

Thrift music was being run from the garage of Uplands Guest House, the other business of Pam and Jon Fitzgerald. They don't seem to be advertising in our local mags anymore, and Jon was on the Hobgoblin Stall at last year's Sweeps. I found a website with contact details

        [e-mail]
Surface Mail:         Thrift Music
        41, Hadleigh Rosd
        Frinton-on-Sea
        Essex
         CO13 9HQ
        UK
Telephone:         [phone]
No harm in trying

Subject: RE: Obit: Peter Chopping ( CHOPS)
From: billybob
Date: 08 Apr 10 - 06:26 AM

Hi Dr Price, unfortunatly the shop, Thrift Music, closed down two or three years ago.

Subject: RE: Obit: Peter Chopping ( CHOPS)
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 07:35 PM

re

Subject: RE: Obit: Peter Chopping ( CHOPS)
From: GUEST,old girl
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 02:39 PM

So sorry to hear this sad news good night God Bless,

Subject: RE: Obit: Peter Chopping ( CHOPS)
From: Mick Tems
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 07:08 AM

Whoops - literal alert! The last line should have read: "Does anyone know what happened to it?"

Subject: RE: Obit: Peter Chopping ( CHOPS)
From: Mick Tems
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 07:04 AM

I was in Frinton-on-Sea, in Connaught Avenue, about five years ago and I spotted a folk instruments shop. I went inside for a look, and there, looking after the stock, was Pete Chopping! We chatted for a few moments, and he scribbled his phone number. Next time I visited Frinton, the shop wasn't there - does anyone what happened to it?

Subject: RE: Obit: Peter Chopping ( CHOPS)
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 05:58 AM

I am really sorry to hear this,Pete gave me a lot of encouragementwhen i was starting singing.Dick Miles

Subject: RE: Obit: Peter Chopping ( CHOPS)
From: The Doctor
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 04:54 AM

As you say, the last of the Crayfolk, and almost my last link with Farningham in the early '70s. Apart from being a great musician Pete was also a quick wit, and one thing I've always remembered was when someone complained of a frog in the throat, to which his response was, "Well, it's better than a toad in the hole." Repeated playing of the LP remind me of what a great group the Crayfolk were, and all gone too soon. Condolences from Peter and Diane Taylor.

Subject: RE: Obit: Peter Chopping ( CHOPS)
From: Dave Masterson
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 08:19 AM

That's all the orginal Crayfolk gone... and so soon before the Coach House reunion on May 1st. We can all raise a glass in his memory on the day.

So long Pete, I hope you've found peace.

Subject: RE: Obit: Peter Chopping ( CHOPS)
From: billybob
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 06:36 AM

Just think Diz Disley has a bass player in heaven!
Condolences to Kath, and Peters sister Wendy and her husband Ashley and two children.
Wendy and Bill

Subject: RE: Obit: Peter Chopping ( CHOPS)
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 05:11 AM

I was very sorry to hear this news.

Peter

Subject: RE: Obit: Peter Chopping ( CHOPS)
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 05:05 AM

Oh dear. However in some ways it was a miracle that he lasted this long: folk's answer to Keith Richards!

I remember a splendid session with him, the late Pete Hicks, my late wife Jacqui Walker, and a number of others in one of the Rochester High Street pubs several Sweeps' ago, in the days when you could walk into a pub at Sweeps and start an acoustic session (and probably find the late Ben McManigan at the bar with a half drunk Guinness, and a half-smoked Capstan Full Strength).

I was talking to him at Brixton Bert's wake in the Tudor Barn, and he was clearly not quite together. He spotted Jacqui's Hagstrom in my hand, and said "I used to know a girl who had one exactly like that" - and I said "Pete, you were talking to her ten minutes ago!"

I don't know if it's true, but I'm sure Pete Hicks used to say that at one time Chopping was the only authorised Martin repairman in England. Jacqui had for years a dulcimer he made for her (for ulterior motives, ultimately I believe unsucessful) back in the 60s. It was very quiet, and ultimately some removals men demolished it in one of our house moves.

RIP.

Subject: RE: Obit: Peter Chopping ( CHOPS)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 04:48 AM

Sad news indeed. My condolences to Kath.
John Barden

Subject: Obit: Peter Chopping ( CHOPS)
From: GUEST,mickp
Date: 05 Apr 10 - 03:27 PM

Heard today that Pete Chopping ex Skinners Rats , Travelling Folk, passed away easter sunday. He will be sadly missed by all at Walton on the Naze. Seen Kath today his long term partner she is obviously devastated as we all are. He was a great friend of mine for the past fifteen years. Cheers Mick.