The Halliard - any memories of this group?

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Dec 10 - 09:32 AM

Memories? Cor blimey!!! I turned up at the Old Ford in North Camp sometime towards the end of 1967 after Alec Burbridge had been on at me for ages to turn up. I had met Alec and his group (all dressed in flowing luminescent orange shirts!) at the 4As Youth Club in Aldershot and then kept seeing him on the bus. This was my first ever visit to a folk club. And the Halliard were on! I loved it! And 40+ years later I'm still involved because of that evening, though it's English and French dance music now, with some French and Occitan songs (see my bands GIG CB! and Mistral on YouTube:
GIG CB! at Gennetines and Mistral at Gennetines)
I remember you, Nigel, on mandoline, Dave Moran (or was it Moron? Blame that Rip Rippingale!) and Nic. And 'The Calico Printers Clerk' has stuck in my memory all this time (not the words sadly, though I've now got your book). Wonderful chorus songs, with great tunes and some research and history. The Halliard, and Nic Jones, made such an impact on me I named my son Nicholas :-)
And Howard too - all those years ago! Doesn't time fly?
I think I've filled up my box now. More later
Chris Shaw ([e-mail])

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: GUEST,Howard Fullbrook
Date: 15 Nov 10 - 05:38 PM

Nigel,

My email address is [e-mail]

H.

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Nov 10 - 05:36 PM

They were recorded on a portable cassette, the first model that Phillips marketed. They were then transferred to reel to reel. My good friend and fiddle player, Peter Lambert, put some of the tracks to CD a few years ago. My problem is that I'm in New Zealand until January 2012 and my copy of the CD is in the UK! Sadly, I haven't got the tracks on my laptop. Peter now lives in Perth, WA, it might be possible for him to post you a copy from there! If you give me a postal address I will ask him if will do it. He was a big fan of The Halliard so I'm sure he will!

I ran the Fleet Club, the Farnborough Folk Club (at The Old Ford, North Camp) was run originally by Alec Burbidge and then Geoff Barker, sadly neither of them are still with us. Fond memories indeed!

Regards,

Howard

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 14 Nov 10 - 11:57 AM

Howard, is there any way of digitising those 'rough' Halliard recordings & attaching them to an email? Very happy to PM you with my email address. I remember the Farnborough & Fleet clubs very well...amongst some of the best in which we played...well organised...responsive audiences...fond memories indeed,
                                                             Nigel P.

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 12 Nov 10 - 07:17 AM

Yes Howard, I was...sort of! Only Dave & Nic could drive, so I always got the back seat, but had to share it with two guitars, a mandolin, a tenor recorder, three sleeping bags & anything else that wouldn't fit in the boot. Touring the folk clubs in the 60s was not all glitz & glamour & in a Mini, even less so! But, we often worked on new material as we drove. It was usually possible to find enough room to play the recorder &/or my mandolin, so Dave & Nic sang in the front & I sang & played in the back! On more than one occasion, we performed songs we had worked on in the car, the same evening...a bit hairy sometimes, but I don't remember any great disasters!
                         Nigel P.

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: GUEST,Howard Fullbrook
Date: 10 Nov 10 - 04:40 PM

One thing I DO remember is that The Halliard toured the clubs in a MINI car! Must have been a bit cramped for Dave and Nic...guess you were OK Nigel?
Howard

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: GUEST,Howard Fullbrook
Date: 08 Nov 10 - 04:43 PM

I have great memories of the Halliard, before and after the arrival of Nic! They were regular performers at the Farnborough Folk Club, where I was a resident, plus they played at my own club In Fleet, Hampshire a few times. Somewhere (back in England) I have some very 'rough' recordings of them playing at Farnborough.
The Broadside Ballads certainly are still being sung by many of my friends from those wonderful days.
Howard Fullbrook (currently in NZ)

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 01 Nov 10 - 12:40 PM

Howard & Trevor...thank you for your kind words. Really didn't think we'd be remembered with such affection after all this time! Much to look back on with a real sense of a 'job well done', although I don't think we realised it at the time! With any luck, some of our Broadside Ballads will still be sung long after we've departed this mortal coil!
                                             Nigel Paterson (mandolin, The Halliard)

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: pavane
Date: 01 Nov 10 - 06:06 AM

I was getting interested in the folk club scene (in Essex) in the late 1960's, and was just too late to see the Halliard. I saw Nic, probably at the club in Collier Row, around this time, but work then took me away, ending up in Swansea where I recorded Nic' gig at the Ivy Bush in Pontardawe in 1973 (might even have been 1972, I didn't note the date).

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: brother
Date: 31 Oct 10 - 04:51 PM

I am sure that I saw Halliard at Stockton Folk Club, this was when the club was in the Stork and Castle. As the club celebrated 40years at the Sun Inn recently it was obviously a long time ago .But I still remember what a great group they were.
Trevor Bond

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Howard Jones
Date: 31 Oct 10 - 01:14 PM

I've just come across this thread now it's been resurrected. The Halliard were just before my time, but their influence was still strong and they were often spoken about.

I too was at Brentwood School, although several years below them. My first attempts at performing in public were at Brentwood School Folk Club - one of the attractions was that it was run jointly with the girls' High School down the road (Brentwood was boys-only at this time). Griff Rhys-Jones has written about the school folk club from this era in his autobiography, but thankfully I don't get mentioned!

I then began going to the folk club at the Castle where Geoff and Pennie Harris were a big influence on me. I also regularly visited Blackmore and Chelmsford folk clubs. For a while I attended a guitar evening class run by Nigel.

Besides being fantastic musicians, the contribution the members of Halliard made to the Essex folk scene and the influence they had, both directly and indirectly, on aspiring performers like myself is incalculable. So thanks for everything.

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Oct 10 - 09:37 AM

Did The Halliards ever play at St Osyth's College of Education Folk Club Clacton-on-Sea Essex?

Chris

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 13 Jan 06 - 08:59 AM

Slightly belatedly...Happy Birthday to Nic & Dave (only two days apart) from The Halliard.
       May you both have many more,
       Love & Best Wishes,
                         Nigel P. (also from The Halliard!)

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 09:55 PM

If I were to tell all the stories I have been told....regarding this name....all would be lost.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 12:05 PM

Nean, all you have to do now is order a copy of "The Halliard, Broadside Songs" from Mollie Music & we'll be friends for life!! (why isn't there a smilie around when you need one!!)LOL,
                                 Very Best,
                                          Nigel P.

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: GUEST,Nean Stoddart
Date: 10 Jan 06 - 03:01 PM

Yes, I do apologise for the mis-spellings, And for submitting twice.An error.I was under the impression I would see the preview before submitting. I did correct some bits but missed the names.I tried to remove the post, but couldn't see how. Sorry ! And as for the subject of the thread, well, I came into the forum via a google query about the history of Brentwood Folk Club. And came upon the mention of Paul Simon in a posting by you, Nigel , on 16th Nov.,and by Lanfranc on the 17th.So now I know something about the Halliard too. Thanks

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: GUEST,NIGEL PATERSON
Date: 09 Jan 06 - 12:42 PM

Nean Stoddart, forgive me for stating the obvious, but this is a thread about remembering The Halliard & not about Paul Simon appearing at Brentwood Folk Club. To add insult to injury, you've spelt my name incorrectly & pluralised Halliard (no "s") & to cap it all, you've posted twice!! Redeem yourself by visiting www.thehalliard.com
                   Happy New Year,
                                 Nigel PATERSON.(one "t")!!

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: GUEST,Nean Stoddart
Date: 07 Jan 06 - 04:03 PM

I too was at Brentwood School (1956-62), but cannot ,unfortunately remember Nigel Patterson or the Halliards . But I can affirm that Paul Simon was living in Brentwood around that time. He was staying with Dave Mac Causland at his family's house and sang at the Brentwood Folk club that Dave was running at the Railway Tavern opposite the station. Dave had set up the club in 63 or 64 after we had met Paul in Paris I think he sang regularly there, almost as resident.

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: GUEST,Nean Stoddart
Date: 07 Jan 06 - 04:01 PM

I too was at Brentwood School (1956-62), but cannot ,unfortunately remember Nigel Patterson or the Halliards . But i can affirm that Paul |Simon was living in Brentwood around that time. He was staying with Dave Mac Causland at his family's house and sung at the Brentwood Folk club that Dave was running at the Railway Tavern opposite the station. Dave had set up the club in 63 or 64 after we had met Paul in Paris I think he sang regularly there, almost as resident.

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 07 Jan 06 - 07:34 AM

Happy New Year, Paul. Always fascinating to read about those "life defining" moments. Keep those tapes of Nic safe....have you condidered having digital copies made? You might find a visit to www.nicjones.net or www.thehalliard.com of interest.
      What music do you play & listen to these days?
      Here's to a music-filled 2006,
      All the Best,
                  Nigel P.(The Halliard)

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: GUEST,Paul Richardson
Date: 06 Jan 06 - 08:32 PM

I used to play in a rock band but once went with a mate to see the Halliard playing at the Boat House Folk Club near Matlock, Derbyshire -changed my musical direction (also discovered Dylan about this time)and eventually became part of of a Derby based folk band called Saga. We even went on to make a few albums (of variable quality!)
Thing is, Nic Jones bowled us over and we booked him often as possible at the folk club we consequently ran in Uttoxeter.
I still have tapes of Nic made on those nights.
Nic brought old lyrics, old times, old legends,to mean something in this day and age Timeless.

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 31 Dec 05 - 10:11 AM

Same to you all.

eric

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 30 Dec 05 - 06:44 PM

One last refresh for 2005, Happy New Year one & all,
                Dave,Nic & Nigel (The Halliard)

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 28 Dec 05 - 12:38 PM

Hi eric, Happy New Year. "Boys of Bedlam" is a great song isn't it? I enjoyed playing the mandolin part on our own recording of the song probably more than any other. The wonderfully angular rhythms & a melody that serves the words so well. When you have a moment, have a listen to our version & let me know what you think. And by the way, I think Maddy does a great job with it too!!
                                           Nigel P.

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 27 Dec 05 - 04:35 AM

Hi Nigel, I'm just listening to Maddy Prior singing ' Boys Of Bedlam ' arranged by Nic Jones and Dave Moran, brilliant.

eric

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 09:38 AM

Happy Christmas jeanie, good to hear from you again. Dave,Nic & I will be more than glad to see the final CD released. Must be something of a record (as in Guinness Book!)....made in 1968....released in 2006 (we hope).
       Very Best Wishes to you & all members of the "60s Elite",
                                             Nigel Paterson.

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Jeanie
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 05:09 AM

Just been visting your now up-and-running website.
Merry Christmas to you, and all good wishes for 2006.
Don't worry, Nigel, if the thread appears to drift away - It will re-emerge for sure when your next CD is issued soon in 2006. Be assured, there will be a lot of people awaiting its arrival.

With every good wish from an Essex old-timer,
- jeanie

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 02:27 AM

Best wishes to you too, eric. Good to hear from you again. Desparate, no, just sad to see the thread slowly drift away,
                                                          Nigel P.

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 01:38 AM

Oops, forgot to say Happy Christmas.

eric

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 01:37 AM

You're getting to sound desparate Nigel.

eric

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 11:35 AM

One more refresh before Christmas!
                                 All the Best,
                                             Nigel Paterson.

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 09:07 PM

Refresh.

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: GUEST,NIGEL PATERSON
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 06:29 PM

Halliard website is now up & running (thanks Dave). Do give it a look & post your comments here as there is no visitor's book yet,
            Season's Greetings,
                              Nigel Paterson.

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 12 Dec 05 - 07:27 PM

Season's Greetings to all Halliard friends, old & new.
Wishing you all a happy, healthy & peaceful New Year,
            Nic, Dave & Nigel (The Halliard)

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 06 Dec 05 - 05:46 PM

Apologies from all at Halliard Towers, the website (www.thehalliard.com) is still showing text only, no background or photos. Those who understand these things are hard at work, restoring the site to its former glory & adding a photo or two from our re-union weekend back in June.

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: BB
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 02:29 PM

I seem to remember that the Chelmsford club in the '70s was at a pub called 'The Three Cups' - but my memory may be faulty. It was on the corner of the road that Clive Taylor lived on. We were only there two or three times, as we lived in North Devon, but had a number of friends around the Chelmsford area.

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 11:56 AM

You're right Tunesmith, we did play at a club in Charring Cross. We weren't resident & my hazy memory tells me it wasn't our favourite west-end gig! Your June/July of '66 was certainly filled with some good music.
          pjay, your memories of those Sunday nights have stood the test of time well. I remember the "Buffs" horns too! You can find out more about current & forthcoming releases from The Halliard by visiting: www.thehalliard.com or www.nicjones.net
                         Very Best,
                                  Nigel Paterson (mandolin, The Halliard)

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: pjay
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 08:58 AM

I can remember Chelmsford folk club and the Halliard folk group back in the late sixties. I used to go every Sunday night, at first it was held in a in an upstairs room over a pub, I think the room was also used by the buffs for their meetings, as I can remember a pair of horns on the wall behind the acts. I cannot recall the name of the pub (think it was Kings head), but it was near what used to be the old cattle market. Later the pub was pulled down (what a sacrilege) to make way for shopping precinct I believe, the club then moved to another pub somewhere near the corn exchange

Yes I can certainly remember Nic Jones and the Halliard. Just one question did the Halliard record an album called Heroes and Villains if so were can I get a copy

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 05:54 AM

I was in London for a few days in June or July 1966, and in the space of a relatively short time, I saw the following performers in folk clubs: Alexis Korner, Ravi Shankar, Jo-Anne Kelly, John Renbourne, Dave Swarbrick, Karl Dallas, and The Halliard. I'm pretty sure I saw The Halliard in a folk club in Charring Cross Road - or close by. Were they residents there?

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 27 Nov 05 - 03:50 PM

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 27 Nov 05 - 01:03 PM

Need some more help from you good people around the world to keep this thread alive. Does anyone remember our performance at the Cambridge Folk Festival. Can't remember the date, but it can't be later than 1968! Rev. Gary Davis was one of the headliners.

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 24 Nov 05 - 09:50 AM

Just been having a look at the Radio2 Folk Awards & left wondering..?
A "Special Achievement" category & our "Broadside Songs" book & CD project somewhere near the top of the list, would have been rather good.

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 22 Nov 05 - 01:06 PM

"The Halliard" website is undergoing major surgery, apologies if you've visited recently....no pics, no new info. Dave Moran looks after the site, but he's been rather ill with pneumonia & is only now getting back on his feet again....easy Tiger!!

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 20 Nov 05 - 06:07 AM

Jeanie, "insider knowledge" BEFORE(!) the Prep....Herington House rings no bells, but a formidable lady known as Miss Duggan who ran "Arnold House" in Brentwood (up the hill, towards Warley) could be a different matter, assuming my memory is correct. There's almost enough info here for an edition of "This is your Life"!!
       I will pass on your good wishes to Nic & Julia,
                                          Very Best,
                                                   Nigel P.

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Jeanie
Date: 20 Nov 05 - 05:38 AM

No problem, Nigel - I stumbled upon it myself a while ago. I'm sorry there weren't any Halliard recordings for you. I know there were some recordings from the 60s in there (including one of Dave and Toni Arthur at a club in East London). There is also a Benefit Night for Nic that was held at the Bull in Blackmore. The good thing about this archive is that the material is protected from getting into unscrupulous hands. I hope it brings to light some material that Nic and Julia were not aware of. They won't know me by name, but please pass on my best wishes to them from the lone girl amongst the unruly mob of lads who used to sit on top of the upright piano in the corner on club nights at the "Castle". I have so many memories of hearing brilliant music week after week.

Best wishes to you too from, as you called it, one of "The 60s Elite". My "insider knowledge" of Brentwood School is rather more as an outsider looking in: I have never been on the staff there, but have been involved in drama productions with the children at the prep. Now, if we go further back to where you were before the Prep, we may be talking "insider knowledge" - Herington House in Shenfield ?

All good wishes,
- jeanie

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 19 Nov 05 - 05:29 PM

Jeanie, I've had a browse through some of the material in the Sound Archive section....several contributions from Nic Jones, nothing from The Halliard, not surprising because all the recordings in the archive were made long after the demise of the group. I've forwarded the details re. Nic to his wife, Julia. I don't know if she is aware of the existence of these archive recordings. Such an interesting & valuable link, many, many thanks,
                                 Nigel P.

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 19 Nov 05 - 06:49 AM

Thanks very much jeanie for the link to Essex Records. You have "insider knowledge" of Brentwood School & I agree, "Goodbye, Mr. Chips" seems to be getting closer & closer!!
                                           Very Best,
                                                    Nigel P.

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Jeanie
Date: 19 Nov 05 - 06:20 AM

I have just checked the link I gave. It comes up first as "Page cannot be found", but if you then click on the http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk link half-way down the page, it takes you where you want to go.

- jeanie

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Jeanie
Date: 19 Nov 05 - 06:12 AM

Nigel, the Essex Record Office archives are listed online here: http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk/ . If you log in as a Guest and enter "Folk club" in the search box, you will see that they have a lot of material.

I suspect that your days at Brentwood would be at least slightly happier if you were there now, since the school did what would have been unthinkable back in ye olde tymes, and allowed girls in throughout. But the portraits of the formidable old headmasters still stare down in the Memorial Hall....plays are still performed in the open-air Shakespeare Garden.... the prep boys still wear their grey shorts and plum school caps....ah, this is getting to sound more like "Goodbye Mr. Chips" every minute, isn't it ? ;)

- jeanie

Subject: RE: The Halliard - any memories of this group?
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 19 Nov 05 - 05:15 AM

Yep, I certainly served my time at that d**n school. Two decent (the ONLY two) things I got out of it were, one, knowing Geoff Harris, which introduced me to Chelmsford Folk Club, where I met Dave Moran, which lead to the formation of The Halliard. And two, knowing Nic Jones & asking him to join the group when Geoff decided to leave. My school days were not the "happiest days of my life", but the simple fact of knowing Geoff & Nic created something that persists to this day & looks likely to be around for many years to come.