Teesside Fettlers.?

Subject: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: MARINER
Date: 09 Aug 04 - 12:17 PM

A friend recently sent me a tape of a fine group called The Teeside Fettlers. Has anyone got any idea who they are? And who the fine lead singer is?

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: Carol
Date: 09 Aug 04 - 12:58 PM

The Fettlers were formed in late 1962 with Ron Angel, (who still runs Stockton Folk Club at the Sun in The High Street), Graeme Miles, Johnny McCoy, Ellis Holiday, Ken Crawford and John White. They were the resident band at Stockton Folk Club held in the Stork and Castle - I think I went there once, it was packed. According to my 'source' they produced 2 albums, which I think were mainly Graeme Miles and Ron's compositions, won several competitions and performed at Sidmouth for 3 consecutive years.
They decided not to turn professional and disbanded in 1977. I actually have 2 versions of Ring of Iron by the Fettlers they are a 'piece of history' in the North East folk scene and personally I still enjoy their music.

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: fiddler
Date: 09 Aug 04 - 01:19 PM

That is a fine representation.

Teesside fettlers also started Vin Garbut on the Road to Stardom played in the Alber Hall EFDSS concert in 1974 and at Sidmouth too.

I have both Records and have recently transfered them to CD.

I have put some tracks at

http://www.any-web-address.co.uk/Fettlers/

I will be seeing Ron in a weeks time (I hope along with Pete Betts at Saltburn Festival.

Any other Questions?

Seems we have some knowledge in here -Ah new fame there is a photograph of them in the new 'the first week in August' Sidmouth book!

Formerly member of Stockton Folk Club and MC of Billingham Folk Club!

Andy

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: Grampus
Date: 09 Aug 04 - 01:45 PM

The lead singer of the Fettlers was Stewart McFarlane.

They had a number of different line-ups, some of whom are mentioned above. Richard Grainger was also a Fettler at one time, as well as Vin.

Some useful information can be found here:
http://www.martin-kingsbury.co.uk/articlefettlers.htm

Alternatively a Google search on Teesside Fettlers (correct spelling) also brings up a few results.


G.

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 10 Aug 04 - 05:34 AM

Stewart was originally with a group called "The Creel" and was in the second line-up of "The Fettlers", Vin was in the 3rd.

I can still remember the "Stork and Castle" days.

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: Betsy
Date: 10 Aug 04 - 07:57 AM

The finest line-up in my mind was Stu McFarlane , Ron Angel, Vin Garbutt and Frankie Porter - Stu is active in local Radio in Middlesbrough , all the rest are still highly active in the Folk Scene (obviously Vin) and are a delight to meet.
Story :- Going back to Fiddlers comments about 1974 - can you imagine that the first "real" song I ever wrote, got sang by them at the ROYAL ALBERT HALL !!!
A bit perverse - but in the right circumstances (and usually for a laugh ) ,I often use the story as a tongue in cheek boast - " The first song I ever .....blah blah blah "
Other regular members over the years were Bob Skingle, who amazingly left the Channel Islands to live in Middlesbrough !!, and Sean McManus who recently passed away.

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: Carol
Date: 10 Aug 04 - 08:08 AM

I have a copies on cassette of Ring of Iron and Pride of the North so with Travelling the Tees there must be 3 albums plus I have Twenty Pound dog, Shores of old Blighty, Ayresome Procession and I Will Stay.
I wonder how many former members of Stockton Folk club are scattered over the country - I went to Hartlepool Folk Club for years and they had certain floor singers about 6 I would say, but didn't have singers nights at all so it wasn't until I started going to Stocckton Club that I started singing - as i've now been hooked for years I don't know if I should thank Ron and the club members or blame them!! Last year when we caravanning up that way we went over to Stockton Club and it was closed!!!! Actually it had been flooded out and still had no electricity so I missed my annual pilgrimage.

Yes I'm looking forward to Saltburn and hope to 'bump into' Ron sometime over the weekend.

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: 8_Pints
Date: 10 Aug 04 - 09:55 AM

They appeared at one of the early Easter Poynton Festivals and Stu McFarlane introduced us to perfoming by persuading my wife and I to sing the Pace Egging Song.

Sue went on to win the National Traditional Singer's competetion last year at Sutton Bonnington so they have a lot to answer for!

We shall be at Saltburn with the Shellbacks so hope to meet up with everyone then.

Bob vG

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From:
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 03:19 PM

Has anyone got digital versions of the teesside fettlers? I used to see them at the Pied Piper club at Osmotherley in 1973-75. I have a vinyl version of 'Some Cleveland and dales Folk' with some songs on, but I really want to get hold of Ring of Iron. Now I don't live in Teesside, I can't convince my children of what it used to be like: the great Fettlers songs will help thm, I think.

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: TheBigPinkLad
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 04:22 PM

Will your email accept giant files? (1.9 Mb)

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: fiddler
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 06:28 PM

Look at my web link above - ring of iron is not there but there are some good others. I have ring of iron as mp3 and cda.

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: Gedpipes
Date: 16 Feb 06 - 06:32 AM

Do you really want to convince your children?

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From:
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 09:23 AM

Hi,

I played with the Fettlers, bass, brass and vocals, for 25 years until January last year.

We did a CD in 2001, Noting The Changes, with most of the 'standards' on, and some new songs by Bob Skingle, my choice being The Pitwhell (14). As a professional photographer, Bob had been commissioned to record the demise of the last coal pits in the North and this spurred him on to write some excellent songs. This was the last recording that Stewart and Bob did together. The last time that I spoke to Bob he said that he had not played for a number of years - what a shame - nice chap, good friend and a superb musician.

I think it was the best 'album' that we/they ever did, but I would say that, wouldn't I? The quality of the recording is of a high standard.

If anyone wants one of these very rare items, I have about X10 new in a box and would sell them for £10.00 each, plus p&p at £2, £12 in total.

Cheers,

Adrian Beadnell (01287 622952)

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 07:48 AM

My wife went to Middleton St George College of Education she did Music there and one of her colleagues was a chap from Ulster/Northern Ireland who was a one time member of the Fettlers he also did radio could that be Stu McFarlane ?

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: rumanci
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 08:05 AM

MCFat
I would guess from that potted biography you're more likely describing Sean McGuinness ??
rum

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 08:44 AM

Think that sounds right. Wonder what happened to him

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: fiddler
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 09:14 AM

I'd be interested as to what did happen.

I think (I heard) he left the band after a few difficult nights involving copious amounts of alchohol and some dubious behaviour - but I could be wrong and stand to be corrected.

Since then I have also heard he fell off this mortal coil but have not really followed up on the situation.

Having not got back to Teesside in January i've not caught up with Ron or anyone form up ther ein ages.

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: r.padgett
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 12:12 PM

An interesting thread and as Teesside is/was in Yorkshire of particular interest to the Yorkshire Garland group of which I am a member!

Steve Gardham Mike Parsey and myself are with effect from April 1st embarking on a similar project to the FARNE

Any thoughts let me know, please, as we are still deciding on what we might include!

Ray

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: Betsy
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 08:09 AM

Hiya MC Fat & rumanci,

Earlier in the thread I mentioned the member from N.Ireland was Sean Macmanus - Accordion and guitar .He joined when Vin left.
Unfortunately as I said he passed away a couple of years ago.
I don't know if I mentioned, that, the guy with the great voice - Stu McFarlane was also awarded an MBE or some sort of gong for ( I'm not sure )services to the community. Perhaps someone will correct me - as to the reason for award
Cheers

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: fiddler
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 04:44 PM

As usual Pete you seem able to impart all teh knowledge we all forget or don't know anyway.

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: nutty
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 06:58 AM

The Yorkshire Garland group might have a problem with Teesside Ray. Before the 1950/60's there was very little,in the way of songs and music, that was traditional to the area.
That's why the works of Graeme Miles, Ron Angel, Vin Garbutt, Pete Betts and Richard Grainger etc. made such a big impact.

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: rumanci
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 07:38 AM

yes
and I'd include in that list
some excellent Peter Bond songs too
really captured the spirit and essence of The Cleveland Hills
rum

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 10:05 AM

Don't forget Pete Davies
what happened to him?
Ged

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: Betsy
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 11:08 AM

Hi Ged,
Pete Davies is a headmaster living in Middlesbrough - still enjoys a pint in Eston / Normanby but doesn't play as much as he should.
Need to add Eddie Walker to the list - and - although not EXACTLY from Teesside - Bernie Parry who has also written some good stuff.
I believe that all were inspired , or gave song-writing a "go" because of the original direction given by Graeme Miles in that he showed that writing about veryday issues and feelings were not the sole domain of "others" and that everyone could have a "go" , and most people in a Folk Club would be generous and interested enough to listen to your efforts.
Fiddler - you're too kind!!!!

Cheers - Betsy

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: r.padgett
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 11:27 AM

Yes its all going to be bit difficult in sorting borders and who or isnt Yorkshire and/ or worthy of inclusion

I think Steve is considering including Graeme Miles

Pete Davies originally from Chesterfield as I remember wrongly introducing as a Yorkshireman once! but if he has got his passport stamped!!

My mate Bernie Parry doubtful from Yorkshire

Pete Bond? was he born in Yorkshire?

Hazel yes agreed above ~ though plenty of songs deemed to be traditional and trad source singers in Yorkshire (altho origins often elsewhere) so its not that easy to say what should /should not be included
or who??

Thanks for your interest and I haven't forgotten Vin and Betsy and Eddie Walker and Richard all great blokes!
and the Wilsons and the Wilkinsons and the Elliots of Whitby!! o and Mick Haywood and John Greaves
Ray

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: GUEST,Trevor Bond
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 04:41 PM

Peter Bond was born in Stockton- on-Tees Which was in County Durham,it then moved to Teesside ,and then to Cleveland. However Stockton is now in The Tees Valley, or was last week.

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: Gedpipes
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 05:18 AM

Pete give my best regards to Pete when you see him next. Have'nt seen him since the Albert in 1984 probably the last time I saw you an all.
Cheers
Ged

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: GUEST,Phil
Date: 12 Feb 07 - 06:55 AM

If you have a CD copy of the album "Travelling the Tees" - I would be most grateful if you could send me a copy - I now live in Nederland but memories of the folk nights at the Sun Inn in the 70's still mean a great deal to me.

Phil

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: GUEST,Terry McDonald
Date: 12 Feb 07 - 07:04 AM

I'd almost forgotten the Teeside Fettlers. I met them in 1966 when they were one of four English groups chosen (in a competition in London) take part in the Kilkenny Beer Festival's Folk Group competition. The other three were the Kerry Singers from Coventry, the Tinkers who were London based(Gerry Fox, Maureen Kennedy-Martin, and Mick Flynn)and my own group, the Biddles from Poole/Bournemouth. Annoyingly, I can't remember who won the competition - it was either the Kerry Singers or the Fettlers.

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: GUEST,ib48
Date: 12 Feb 07 - 11:49 AM

Being from teesside i remember them fondly.

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: oggie
Date: 12 Feb 07 - 05:13 PM

Too much information but when my son was born by ceasarian the surgeon used to put music to operate by, so to speak, on the speakers in the operating theatre. Peter's surgeon came from Middlesborough so he was born to the strains of "Ring of Iron". These days he's into Heavy Metal! (True)

All the best

oggie

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: GUEST,Terry K
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 06:53 AM

I bought the 45 of Ring of Iron when it came out on the Pye label in 1967, and still have it. I had learnt it some years earlier from a guitarist called Dave Manship who played with Graeme before they became the Fettlers. Dave was more into country music (introduced me to Hank Williams music) so didn't stay around for the "fame" period.

I remember Creel too, they used to be house band in a folk club at a pub in Stockton (maybe) that I used to go to. Good memories.

cheers, Terry

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: nutty
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 07:02 AM

As a matter of interest ... There's a new Graeme Miles Song Book due out soon. I believe the launch is happening at the Grove Folk Club in Leeds.

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: John Routledge
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 07:12 AM

Yes Nutty. It is Friday 20th April. Should be a great night.

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 02:55 PM

....and there was also Nigel Bond, (Pete Bond's brother) - who had a fab falsetto voice and used to do Bee Gee spoofs at Swainby folk club. Also....wasn't Ian Morrison a Fettler at one stage ? (mandoline...sideburns) - or was that Dave Martin's lot ? (Blue Anchor?) It's all a bit of a blur.
Another fab regular at the stockton folk club was Jean Haste - wonderful singer with a double octave range.

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: GUEST,jackie boy
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 03:09 PM

I used to go to the Pied Piper at Osmotherly and the Black Horse at Swainby --- both sunday nights I think. I remember Dave Martin , Frankie Porter and Ian Morrison and a singer called Jim Downes who were the blue anchor.Jim's sister Jillian used to sing as well.
Is it the warm glow of youth, or were they really great nights?

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: GUEST,Terry K
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 01:51 AM

They were great nights - John Mayall at Kirklevington with a promising young guitarist, Eric somethingorother - wonder what became of him(!). Yes they were great nights.

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: GUEST,Bernie Parry
Date: 01 Aug 07 - 02:58 PM

I'm half Welsh, quarter Irish and quarter Romany. I'm still writing and singing, though not singing in this country. I play in France, Spain and the USA nowadays. Still making albums. Check out my website. bernieparry.com. Oh how I remember the good old days at the Sun Inn, The Black Horse at Billingham, The Top House, the Nursery. Oh bliss!I was a resident at the Red Lion in Trimdom along with Jez Lowe and Ged Foley, who've not done bad for themselves. We all learnt our trade there. It was the best folk club in the world!They were great nights at Trimdon, classic nights, everyone sweated, the floor singers sweated, the guests sweated, the audience sweated, even the walls and ceiling sweated! And that was in the Winter. Summer was Hell, but it was a good Hell. The North East folkscene didn't just buzz in those days....it flapped its wings very loudly.
Bernie Parry.

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: The Sandman
Date: 01 Aug 07 - 03:04 PM

hi Bernie,glad your keeping well,Dick Miles[philistine]

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: GUEST,Adrian Beadnell
Date: 28 Mar 08 - 10:10 AM

Just for information:

The Teesside Fettlers are now Teesside's longest running folk band. Recently re-formed, with four long-serving members, they did the first of a series of 'revival' concerts on the 22nd March 2008 in East Cleveland. The band is 'going back to its roots' and are performing many of the songs written by band members over a forty-plus year period.   

The next concert is on the 12 April, at Saltburn Cricket Club, Marske Mill Lane, Saltburn-by-Sea. TS12 1HJ . Tickets are now on sale from the Club, Tel: [phone]

A long-awaited return to the Nursery Inn, in Hopps Street, Hartlepool, is also planned for Sunday, 11 May 2008.

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: GUEST,Trevor Bond
Date: 28 Mar 08 - 07:05 PM

Adrian do you still have copies of that cd "noting the changes"?
Re-reading this thread ,so many names from the days when every club seemed packed. "Gedpipes " I'm sure I remember a Ged. I remember you with an acoustic guitar-shaped base, which I had never seen nefore.

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: GUEST,Adrian Beadnell
Date: 03 Apr 08 - 09:02 AM

Hi Trevor,

I've not got any CDs at the moment.

Bob Skingle has a small number, and will be selling them at the above concert.

I'm at work at the moment, lunch time, and I've not got Bob's phone number with me, but he now lives in Strensall, near York, and could well be in the phone book (Robin Skingle).

Hope that this helps,

Adrian

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Apr 08 - 08:33 AM

What a Great thread

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: Gedpipes
Date: 06 Apr 08 - 06:54 AM

Hello Trevor
Not me on guitar I'm afraid - a different Ged.
All the best
Ged

Subject: RE: Teeside Fettlers.?
From: Betsy
Date: 06 Apr 08 - 07:22 AM

Hi Trev. - Ged.is too modest. As his handle suggests , he plays Pipes and he plays them very well.He also was a mean fast bowler , a Boro lad, but played in the woollyback leagues around Castleton way.
Cheers
Betsy

Subject: RE: Teesside Fettlers.?
From: GUEST,Lizzie Ann
Date: 11 Aug 09 - 06:07 PM

Please would someone be kind enough to send me a copy of the Settlers music, i knew nothing about them until our choir was performing "i will stay" which is absolutely brilliant.
4 guys sing it and the other 13 of us...all ladies sing along, sounds so lovely.

Regards
Ann

Subject: RE: Teesside Fettlers.?
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 05:24 PM

Just back off me Hols from round there (ish).
Do people actually live there all the time?
Jammy B's

Subject: RE: Teesside Fettlers.?
From: GUEST,Chris Bailey
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 09:34 AM

Sadly, Ken Crawford an original member of the Fettlers when formed in the early 60's died in hospital on Nov 10th 2009. Ken played banjo in the band, and by day was an Architect living at Faceby, N.Yorks. It should also be mentioned that he was John McCoys 'silent' partner in what became the phenomenally popular, and iconic music venue The Kirklevington Country Club, nr Yarm (see Wikipedia) after they both purchased the premises in 1966. 'The Fettlers' band that same year were voted overall winners at The Kilkenny Folk Festival, Ireland. Before purchasing 'The Kirk', McCoy & Crawford also owned from 1964 a small coffee bar in Bottomley St, Middlesbrough called The Purple Onion where folk-music was enthusiastically played by visiting artistes until dawn. This venue, brought a very far sighted 'Greenwich Village' atmosphere to local folk-music fans in what was a bleak northern industrial town Amazingly, now nearly 45 yrs ago.

Subject: RE: Teesside Fettlers.?
From: GUEST,Steamin' Willie
Date: 21 Apr 10 - 08:53 AM

Eyup Bernie, you said OUR folk club was the best!!!!!   

A bit like all our yesterdays this thread.

Names I had completely forgot existed have come flooding back. Pete Davis. We booked him for our club once and he stayed at our house. he left me the words to his songs about camping and Shylock. Must dig them out now and relearn them.

I used to bang out Ron angel's song, the Chemical Workers Song too. taking me back, as I said.

Good stuff.

Subject: RE: Teesside Fettlers.?
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Apr 10 - 03:14 AM

Not been on the Cat much lately and found this.

Bit of a shock.

Rare band and a rare breed of people.

Andy