Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST,Paul J
Date: 03 Feb 22 - 03:15 PM

Hi all, past and present, a refreshing thread.
Couldn’t help adding to it..
It is rumoured I am one of the Tanners Hatch babes!
My father used to take materials from ww2 bomb sites in London down to Tanners Hatch
One story related to sheets of glass from a west end shop front.
That arrived a lot smaller than when they left!
I believe he was one of many acting wardens later on in the fifties/sixties.
Great to hear TH is still creating

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Aug 21 - 09:59 AM

I was one of many who completed the Marathon during the 60'safter cycling from Enfield as a Local Group and staying at Tanners.
Brilliant exparience still got Certificate.
If anyone is still alive .

Geoff Gypps aged 77 still meeting other members of Enfield Local Group each year !

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 09 May 21 - 04:35 PM

A great read of memories ...

http://www.stevecool.co.uk/tannersmusic/Tanners_Hatch_50th_Anniversary_Booklet.pdf

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST,Monksy
Date: 06 May 21 - 06:40 PM

Sad news: Graham Peddie died today (6th May 2021). Graham made life bearable for countless people. I was a very lucky person to have known him.

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: Felipa
Date: 03 Apr 21 - 06:41 PM

Steve Poole composed a song for Tanners Hatch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXjh31e46w0

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST,GUEST Monksy
Date: 03 Apr 21 - 05:21 PM

Hi Will
As Bonnie said above, it is good to keep this thread alive.
I remember your father for his superb guitar playing, lovely bottleneck blues style.
And ... for the afternoon when he came into the common room where we were chatting and said that he would break an egg on my head. I thought he was joking when he pressed his hand onto my head, until I fell a cool slimy substance sliding down my neck.

To be fair, he did accompany me to the outside tap and washed my hair in the refreshingly cold water! I never doubted his word again.....

I hope you are enjoying listening to those old recordings. We certainly enjoyed your dad's music.
Warmest wishes
Anna (Monks)

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST,Will Spurling
Date: 04 Jan 20 - 08:39 PM

Hi Andy Goodall,

I've not visited this thread for sometime, good to see your post about having guitar lessons with my Dad. I live near Esher nowadays, I guess you knew Pauline his sister too? I remember his stories about that Martin guitar. Be good to hear more stories!

Cheers,


Will.

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 30 Jun 17 - 07:37 AM

I haven't been to Tanners Hatch since I was on a walking holiday with friends from school in the 1960s, but my partner (now husband) and I have acquired a number of plants from the Cherry Tree Nursery without knowing of Jess's connection with the Tanner's sessions. There was a nice tribute to her in the local free paper last month.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST,Andy Goodall
Date: 29 Jun 17 - 08:13 AM

Hi, I knew Steve back in '74-'76 at Tanners playing his 'Customs and Excise spacial' Martin Guitar. He used to teach me Guitar In kingston and i Still remember (most) of the lyrics and tunes to a couple of his songs. 'White Lady' and 'Take me Back' a song about Tanners which he put on tape for me. I gave it back to him back in the 80's, probably lost by now.
Andy

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 02 Jun 17 - 03:00 PM

I'm sorry, I didn't know her - but it's worth refreshing this thread (pushing it back to the top of the page by commenting) because quite often people don't see it the first time around. Hope you net some great recollections!

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Jun 17 - 03:02 PM

Jessica Davi(e)s
Who knew Jess? She died after a creative and wonderful life a few weeks ago. Last project - Cherry Tree Nursery Bournemouth. Look it up and watch the 25 years video.
I was at university with her 1970-3 and she spoke of times at Tanners Hatch (where I had overnighted, on my own, as a walker, by chance)
Was it any of you who wrote her the (unsurpassed numbers of) letters she read at breakfast times?
We are assembling obituary/account of her life.
Please tell.
I am spitting into wind here have no idea if I will find you or you will find me back.
Thanks!
Virginia Taylor (Penrith)

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: Splott Man
Date: 18 Aug 16 - 03:57 AM

Tanners hatch is celebrating its 70th birthday soon. More info here:

thread.cfm?threadid=160425&messages=5

Splott Man

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST,Splott Man
Date: 13 May 16 - 05:39 AM

Graham still lives nearby in Fetcham.

Splott Man

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST,Trevor(N.York's)
Date: 12 May 16 - 06:53 PM

I hope to re.visit Tanners this year & meet folk I,ve not seen in decades.May get down in July or for the Sept folk if all goes well.Is Graham still residing nearby?

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST,Ian Campbell-Harris
Date: 11 Sep 15 - 04:05 PM

Ahhh Tanners Hatch ! I started going there around the mid 70's ( I'm an old fart lol ). 99% of the time camping out...in all weathers as well...I can remember waking up one morning thinking it was rather quiet, I unzipped the door to the tent and looked out then zipped it back up again...then unzipped it again pretty fast...there was over two feet of snow ! :-)

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: GUEST,Will Spurling
Date: 07 Nov 14 - 07:00 AM

Hello Richard and Splott Man,

That's really wonderful news, I can't wait to hear them! Thanks so much for your help, I understand the lengthy process so no problem there.

Regards,

Will.

Subject: RE: Tanners Hatch - Finding old friends
From: Richard Atkins
Date: 15 Oct 14 - 10:06 PM

Brill Splott Man

101 then late :>(

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

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: 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 - 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 - 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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,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
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,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: 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: 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: 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: 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,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: 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,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,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: 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,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: 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,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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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