Web Page No 2436

HAPPY NEW YEAR

1^st January  2018

First Picture: Mike Hugg Today

 Second Picture: First Manfred Mann Album

Third Picture: Blue Suede Shoes Record Cover

Forth Picture:  Mike Hugg in the Early Days

Let’s take a look at two local lads.

Mike Hugg and Paul Jones

Back in the early 1960s, one of the places I used to visit on a Thursday evening was the Railway Hotel in Walmer Road, behind Fratton Station.  Here local blues bands, (it was Folk on Friday and Trad Jazz on Saturday), could perform and it was here that I first saw Mike Hugg in an early version of the Manfred Mann Band. As I am sure you are aware, the singer Paul Jones was from Drayton and went to Solent Road School before moving to the Portsmouth Grammar School and of course Mike Hugg was a Gosport lad.

Mike’s family still have a well establish business in the Gosport area the main store being in Gosport High Street— Hugg The Jeweller. Mike was not destined for the jewellery trade as from a young age he had shown an interest in jazz and wanted to be a drummer. His parents agreed and the young Mike learnt jazz drumming and had piano lessons. After leaving school he moved to London where he played drums with various bands and was offered a season as a musician at Butlin’s in Clacton he accepted and it was there that he met Manfred Mann and they formed a seven-piece band — The Mann-Hugg Blues Brothers. He recruited Paul Jones and Tom McGuinness and after finishing the season the band moved to London and played in many top clubs and venues, including the Marquee.

The Mann-Hugg band reduced to a five piece band and gained a new manager, who arranged auditions with the record companies. As a result, in 1963, the band was noticed by HMV Records and were signed up. Producer John Burgess changed the name to Manfred Mann as he felt it was catchier for their first record release.

The band's debut single was ‘Why Should We Not?’ It showed off their talent but failed to make an impact.  The follow-up was a rock-blues number ‘Cock-a-Hoop’, which featured the harmonica of Paul Jones.  Despite a lot of radio air-play, it also failed to get into the charts. Their luck changed late in 1963 when they were asked to write a theme tune for a new rock ‘n roll television show, Ready Steady Go.  The result was ‘5-4-3-2-1’ and as well as being the theme tune for the television show, it also became the band’s next single and went to No 5 in the UK charts.

Their next two singles were ‘Do Wah Diddy Diddy’, reaching No 1 in America and ‘Sha La La’. There followed a string of hits and their debut LP ‘The Five Faces of Manfred Mann’ made it to No 3 in the British album charts. All of their LPs and EPs sold well but Manfred Mann were not really a pop band. Mike would also play the vibraphone, an instrument not at all associated with rock ‘n roll.

Each member wanted to be recognised for themselves and not just part of a pop band. Late in 1965 Mike Vickers left to work as a composer and arranger.  Paul Jones left to become a solo performer and actor. In May 1966 EMI  had doubts about their future so their contract wasn’t renewed, but it didn’t stop EMI continuing to release tracks that had already been recorded, though!

Meanwhile, Mike Hugg was emerging as a successful songwriter in his own right and together with Manfred, decided to keep the band going. With a new line-up, they released Bob Dylan's ‘Just Like A Woman’, another Top 10 hit — as was the next single, ‘Semi-Detached Suburban Mr James’.  ‘Ha Ha Said the Clown’ hit the 1967 charts and it was during this time that Mike and Manfred made their name writing tunes for TV commercials and film soundtracks. In 1969 they released ‘The Mighty Quinn’. Again, it was a Top 10 hit.  Another line-up change followed and drummer and founder-member Mike took over on piano and vocals, becoming the principal songwriter, while Manfred played the organ and arranged the music.

Their name was changed to Manfred Mann's Earth Band and a series of songs followed including the No 1 hit ‘Blinded By The Light’.  Manfred Mann had other projects that he wanted to explore and his group finally disbanded.

Mike Batt had a talent for song writing and he composed most of the music for the hit film’ Up The Junction ‘and co-wrote the tunes for the TV series ‘Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads’.  He also wrote music for the film ‘Venus In Furs’ and still provides BBC scores. Mike has released two albums of his own and a single ‘Blue Suede Shoes Again’.  This song is about Mike growing up in Alverstoke and mentions many Gosport places and people. For those who know Gosport the places mentioned are fishing in Stokes Bay, riding his bike along Privett Road (that’s near me!) and Clayhall and having his first pint in the Village Home pub in Alverstoke.

Keep in touch

Yours

Peter

gsseditor@gmail.com

You Write:Maureen Writes:-

At the junction of Grove and Station Road was Gregorys shop and diagonally opposite was the Bakers shop (Was it Pinks or Vospers or maybe Campions?) Anyway, Gregorys was the epitome of 'Open all Hours' mini supermarket selling absolutely everything you could imagine from hair nets to kindling wood, fresh sliced ham to a stone of King Edwards and my most fondest memory was at the end of April, early May I would be sent to the shop to buy 2 of the first tomatoes of the season. Only two as they cost 7s 6d a pound which was a fortune in the mid fifties, they would be put into a small brown paper bag and carefully returned home and we would have half each with salad, hard boiled eggs and a grating of cheese for tea. They were the best tasting tomatoes ever - because we had waited all winter to see our first tomato in the shops. What a joy to eat seasonal foods; since being on my own I have indulged in this memory as much as possible eating only British produce in season or vegetables that I have been able to preserve myself by salting or freezing.

During the late 1930's and early 40's my grandfather owned the Wiltshire Lamb, No 1 Hampshire Terrace so their ration coupons were registered with a small shop, Butlers stores in Southsea, so when rationing continued after the war, our groceries came from Butlers. The Owner/Manager was a Mr Pook who lived Waterlooville way so would collect Mum's order book in the morning and deliver the groceries on his way home. I loved visiting the shop to watch Mrs Butterfield and Miss Butler the two assistants slicing bacon on the hand turned slicer, the smell was wonderful and to watch them making the bags out of a sheet of paper in which they weighed various sugars, dried fruits, dried beans and peas. Cutting packs of butter and lard and making fancy design butter pats with wooden paddles. It was magic in my mind and all topped off when Mr Pook said we could lift the lid of the biscuit tin and chose one biscuit each. A biscuit tin was about the size of a photo copy paper box turned up on end and some had a glass lid.

Viv Writes

I read the information you posted about a Fred Helyer and the name rang a bell.  I made some enquiries from two friends who worked for Fred around 1993 to 1999.  It is the same Fred, they confirmed he was/had been a scout leader and lived in Hilary Avenue in Cosham.

Fred ran his business, Solent Builders Training Limited, from a first-floor office in Cosham High Street.  His offices were above a shop somewhere in the middle, between Peacocks and Boots the chemist.  The company provided training in many of the building/construction trades for young people on the Youth Training Scheme (YTS).  School leavers were enrolled on various courses at Highbury College and Fred and his team liaised with companies to organise work experience/day release, support and sometimes further employment.  They both enjoyed working for Fred and knew his wife June from their social events.  The business had been running for some time before they started working with Fred.

It was around 20 years ago that the YTS finished and Fred closed the business.  Fred retired and he and his wife moved to a bungalow in Portchester.  After that they moved to Brockenhurst in the New Forest.  One of my friends googled Fred Helyer and various information came up.  I attach a picture from the New Forest Rotary Club website.

I hope this fills in a few gaps. 

News and Views:

ON THIS DAY 1st JANUARY 1960-1965

On 01/01/1960 the number one single was Starry Eyed - Michael Holliday and the number one album was South Pacific Soundtrack. The top rated TV show was not listed and the box office smash was North by Northwest. A pound of today's money was worth £13.68 and Burnley were on the way to becoming the Season's Division 1 champions. The big news story of the week was Boeing 707s to be tested by UK pilots.

On 0/01/1961 the number one single was I Love You - Cliff Richard & the Shadows and the number one album was South Pacific Soundtrack. The top rated TV show was The Russ Conway Show (ATV) and the box office smash was One Hundred and One Dalmatians. A pound of today's money was worth £13.25 and Tottenham Hotspur were on the way to becoming the Season's Division 1 champions. The big news story of week was Millionth Morris Minor produced.

On 01/01/1962 the number one single was Moon River - Danny Williams and the number one album was Another Black & White Minstrell Show - George Mitchell Minstrels. The top rated TV show was Coronation Street (Granada) and the box office smash was Lawrence of Arabia. A pound of today's money was worth £12.89 and Ipswich Town were on the way to becoming the Season's Division 1 champions. The big news story of the week was Pope ex-communicates Fidel Castro.

On 01/01/1963 the number one single was The Next Time/Bachelor Boy - Cliff Richard & the Shadows and the number one album was Black & White Minstrel Show - George Mitchell Minstrels. The top rated TV show was Coronation Street (Granada) and the box office smash was The Great Escape. A pound of today's money was worth £12.64 and Everton were on the way to becoming the Season's Division 1 champions.

On 01/01/1964 the number one single was I Want to Hold Your hand - The Beatles and the number one album was With the Beatles - The Beatles. The top rated TV show was Coronation Street (Granada) and the box office smash was Dr Strangelove. A pound of today's money was worth £12.24 and Liverpool were on the way to becoming the Season's Division 1 champions.

On 03/01/1965 the number one single was I Feel Fine - The Beatles and the number one album was Beatles For Sale - The Beatles. The top rated TV show was Coronation Street (Granada) and the box office smash was The Sound of Music. A pound of today's money was worth £11.69 and Manchester United were on the way to becoming the Season's Division 1 champions.

Web Page No 2434

25th December 2017

First Picture: 1950 Guinness Calander

Second Picture: Toys for Girls

Third Picture: Traditional Cakes

Forth Picture:  Vintage Christmas Lights

Firstly a very Happy Christmas to you all

1950's Trivia Quiz Questions

Answers below

1. Which film, starring Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr, was released in June 1956?

2. Bill and Mark Richards invented what new sporting equipment in 1958?

3. Which company introduced the first plastic credit card in 1950?

4. In 1954, which British athlete broke the Four Minute Mile?

5. Which children's toy made television history in 1952 by becoming the first toy ever to be advertised on TV?

6. The first issue of which British children’s comic was published in April 1950?

7. In 1955, a woman in Alabama, U.S.A was arrested for violating the segregated seating laws on a bus. What was her name? 

8. Which five swinging drinking friends made up the famous "Rat Pack"?

9. In 1952 Gibson introduced what model electric guitar?

10. One of Hollywood's favourite "tough guys" lost his battle against cancer in 1957 who was it. 

11. What toy made it's debut at the 1959 New York toy fair?

12. Which British comedian had the massive-selling 1965 hit Tears?

13. Which Ben won 11 Oscars in 1959?

14. Disneyland, which opened in 1955, was divided into which four themed areas?

15. Frank Sinatra married which actress in 1951, this marriage lasted until 1957?

16. Which Doctor Who became TV's first Robin Hood in 1953? 

17. Who founded the Tamla Motown record label? 

18. What was the name of the Soviet Union's satellite that was put into orbit on October 5, 1957?

19. Which toy, brought from Australia, was huge in 1958 and sold over 70 million?

20. Which 1960s easy-listening Irish crooner was famed for his rocking chair and knitted jumpers?

21. Which company produced the first jukeboxes to play 45 rpm singles in 1950?

22. What was Elvis Presley's first number one hit?

23. What folksy British singer-song writing guitarist was famous also for his whistling? 

24. Who sang the theme song to the film Born Free?

25. Leslie Caron and Maurice Chevallier co-starred in which movie released in 1958?

26. What is the brand name of the fabric hook-and-loop fastener which had its commercial introduction in the late 1950's?

27. In 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first men to reach the summit of which mountain?

28. Who were the famous backing singers on most of Elvis Presley's early hits?
29. Whose nickname was a derived from the term satchel-mouth?

30. What Eastenders star sang on the novelty hit Come Outside? 

Keep in touch

Yours

Peter

Answers

1.       The King and I
2. Skateboard 
3. Diners Club
4. Roger Bannister
5. Hasbro's Mr. Potato Head
6. Eagle
7. Rosa Parks
8. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford
9. Les Paul
10. Humphrey Bogart
11. Barbie
12. Ken Dodd
13. Ben Hurr
14. Frontierland, Adventureland, Fantasyland and Tomorrow land
15. Ava Gardner
16. Patrick Troughton
17. Berry Gordy
18. Sputnik 1
19. Hula-Hoop
20. Val Doonican
21. Seeburg
22. Heartbreak Hotel in 1956
23. Roger Whittaker
24. Matt Monro
25. Gigi 
26. Velcro
27. Everest
28. The Jordanaires
29. Louis Armstrong (Satchmo)
30. Wendy Richard

Maureen Writes about Christmas

How Christmas has changed since our childhood. I don't recall ever making demands on my parents for particular presents under the tree, we were always grateful for what we received.

The magic started on the late afternoon of Christmas eve, we as a family would take the bus to town where we would go to Ships in Meadow Street and Deacons in Charlotte Street for our vegetables and fruit. We would buy our Christmas Tree in the market and then go to the meat lorry for a piece of pork and a Capon. This shopping was always left to late as the stalls in Charlotte Street had to clear their stock by the end of the day or throw it away, so you could buy a string of sprouts for next to nothing and they would literally give the first BOGOF's known, a pound of carrots turned into two or three, they would give you as much as you could carry and more. (this practice changed in later years when most of the stall holders then owned shops in different parts of Portsmouth, so left over produce would be kept a day or two until their shops opened again. (Refridgeration was also more common by then)

We then struggled with all our bags and the tree, back onto a bus to take us home. Try that today and you would be told to walk. The tree was set up and decorated in the evening - and 'Yes' we had real candles on our tree, plastic decorations and real glass baubles, we also hung chocolates on the tree and the fairy on the top, then off to bed before Santa came.

On Christmas morning we would find a stocking, aka pillow case, at the end of the bed filled with goodies. I wouldn't be far wrong if I were to say it contained:

A magic drawing pad (when you scribbled lightly over the page a picture appeared) in later years this was exchanged for a Colouring book and crayons or colouring pencils.

A pretty picture tin of Bluebird Toffees

A small stocking of fresh peanuts and raisins

A Clementine or Mandarine Orange

An Annual (first ones were Rupert the Bear advancing to The Robin or The Swift then onto 'Girl')

There was always some form of clothing such as bobble hats and scarves, gloves, socks and if you were really lucky a jumper or cardigan.

Usually a Dinky toy or animals for the farmyard

There would be a board game or a small pack of cards and simple toys that would have only cost pennies or two.

Of course Santa's present was always left under the tree to be opened with all the family.

And we were very happy with our lot

What Happened on Christmas Day in the 1950’s

On Christmas Day 1950, four Scottish students from the University of Glasgow (Ian Hamilton, Gavin Vernon, Kay Matheson and Alan Stuart) removed the Stone of Scone from Westminster Abbey in London and took the Stone back to Scotland. The students were members of the Scottish Covenant Association, a group that supported home rule for Scotland. In 2008 the incident was made into a film called Stone of Destiny.

1951 1st Christmas Day in test cricket, Aust v West Indies at Adelaide

1951 West Indies defeat Australia by 6 wkts on 3rd day of 3rd Test Cricket

1953 Avalanche of lava kills 150 from Ruapehu volcano in New Zealand

1955 Pope Pius XII publishes an encyclical on sacred music & popular music

1958 Alan Freed's Christmas Rock & Roll Spectacular opens

1959 A synagogue in Cologne Germany desecrated with swatstikas

1959 Richard Starkey (Ringo Starr) receives his first drum kit.

On Christmas Day 1960. The General Post Office stopped delivering letters on Christmas Day in 1960 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and in 1965 in Scotland.

Web Page No 2432

18th December 2017

First Picture: Dinky Toy

Second Picture: The View Master

Third Picture: Scalectrix

Forth Picture: Dolls House

Christmas Presents of our Childhood.

Whether they'd been naughty or nice, children in the 1950s dreamed of finding very different things in their Christmas stockings to the kids of today.

There is a lovely film taken in the UK back in 1959, this black and white footage shows a group of adorable youngsters being asked by Santa what they'd like him to bring them. And they weren't looking for a Barbie, Buzz Lightyear, or Scalextric and definitely not electronic games.

Dressed in shirts, pinnies, winter coats with sewn in gloves, centre-partings and bobs, these cute primary schoolchildren only wanted for simple things - especially the girls.

Two little boys tell Father Christmas that they most wanted 'a bike', with two wheels and a bell, a clockwork mouse and a penny whistle.

But the girls are even cuter with their humble requests.

The kids of the 1950s didn't want for extravagant gifts. Bright-eyed Gillian, seven, asks for a toy ironing board - no doubt so she can help her mum around the house. Eight-year-old Lynne just wants to dress smartly and asks Santa for 'an underskirt' - not exactly a pony, is it?

The two other little girls ask for 'a bible' and 'oh, anything'.

Who's betting their grandchildren are asking for smartwatches, iPads, computers, talking dolls, robots and TVs?

The toys of our childhood were certainly simpler than today. No computer games, no internet, in fact we rarely needed batteries let alone a wireless connection! The ultimate high-tech toy was probably Scalextric or an electric train set and you were very lucky to have one of these.

We still loved simple games from the past like Jacks, but toys influenced by TV and film characters were the new thing - from Sooty puppets to James Bond’s Aston Martin and the ultimate… Thunderbird 2. It was F.A.B.!

Times were changing but play time still tended to be dolls and home making for the girls; cap guns and Airfix models for the boys. It was the likes of the Etch-a-sketch and Spirograph we all loved.

Here are a few favourite toys from the 1950s and 1960s. Bet you had at least one of them and we bet you wish you’d kept the box!

1. Dinky toys

Few things were more exciting than a bright yellow box containing the latest model.

2. Spirograph

The most amazing invention ever. Countless hours spent creating incredible, magical patterns and shapes with a few coloured pens and some plastic discs.

3. Etch-a-sketch

The laptop of its day! The instructions were simple: Turn the knobs to draw. To erase, turn it upside down and shake. I never quite mastered curves though…

4. View Master

Another bright red classic and a must on the Christmas list. Cartoons, Batman and Doctor Who in glorious Stereoscopic vision.

5. Sindy

‘The doll you love to dress’. Our own, far more wholesome, truly British alternative to Barbie and we loved her. Remember her Beatles era boyfriend, Paul?

6. Action Man

Dolls have never come more macho than this. He even had gripping hands. Deep sea diver, soldier, cricketer, martial arts expert. Was there anything he couldn’t do?

7. Scalextric

Days spent mastering the fine art of keeping those little cars on the track. Hours spent mesmerized by cars going round and round and round the racing track. Complete Heaven.

8. Play doh

“Don’t play with that in the front room. You’ll ruin the carpet!” was mothers cry!. Oops! Too late.

9. Dolls house

Usually made by Dad or an uncle from odd bits of wood with scraps of carpet on the floors and tiny curtains in the windows. Miniature versions of the home girls dreamt of living in with Prince Charming.

Has my pick of toys from simpler times put a smile on your face? Before you rush up to the attic in search of your original Mr Potato Head or Hornby train set, why not take a moment to share your play time memories with all of us?

Keep in touch

Yours

Peter

DUSTYKEAT@aol.com

You Write:

Chris Writes:-,

Just received today’s blog and was curious about the Carmarthen Avenue picture. I think I am right in saying the picture shows Aberdare Avenue. The white houses to the left cascade away down and around in Drayton Lane. The lower of these houses on the bend would have a view into the chalk pit.

In the picture of Aberdare Avenue, the top most on the east side of the road has yet to be built. This house with integral garage is of a completely different later style. The house opposite on the west side of the road is also different style to all but three others in the road, but looks like it was built in the same era late 1920s I believe.

The  scrub and the long grass is exactly as I remember it when I came to the area 1958. For some years, for November 5^th a large bonfire was assembled 50/60 yards up from the top of the Avenue. There was also a sort of groove than ran down the hill in this vicinity that was very popular when we had a decent lay of snow.

Phil Writes re Fred Helyer:  

I was in the Senior Scouts when Fred Helyer was a leader (I think his surname had a single “L”) and he lived in Hilary Avenue. Looking at Google Maps I think he and his wife, June, lived at number 18; there was garage access gap between some houses and (I think) his house was one house from the access that went dog-legged through to The Close. I know he worked at the The Highbury Tech School (now the Highbury College) ; I think he was a lecturer for gas fitters. He used to drive a Bedford Dormobile which he also used to carry us scouts and equipment around in; he’d allowed the scouts to paint the Dormobile in 2-tone household paint light blue and light grey.

                I left the scouts in 1966 and moved to London. I don’t know what Fred did after that time.

                I may have a photo or two that include him; I’ll have a hunt for them. The scout leader (not senior scouts) around that time was Alan Nossiter who lived in Park Avenue, Purbrook. Alan turned up at my house in Australia 10 – 15 years ago and handed me a copy of 35mm film of those scouting days; I’m sure Fred Helyer was on that film, too. Alan was primarily in Australia visiting friends or relatives in Adelaide. He must have obtained my address from my brother. 

News and Views:

On this day 18th December 1960-1965

On 18/12/1960 the number one single was It's Now Or Never - Elvis Presley and the number one album was South Pacific Soundtrack. The top rated TV show was Knight Errant (Granada) and the box office smash was Psycho. A pound of today's money was worth £13.68 and Tottenham Hotspur were on the way to becoming the Season's Division 1 champions.

On 18/12/1961 the number one single was Tower of Strength - Frankie Vaughan and the number one album was Another Black & White Minstrel Show - George Mitchell Minstrels. The top rated TV show was Coronation Street (Granada) and the box office smash was One Hundred and One Dalmations. A pound of today's money was worth £13.25 and Ipswich Town were on the way to becoming the Season's Division 1 champions.

On 18/12/1962 the number one single was Return to Sender - Elvis Presley and the number one album was West Side Story Soundtrack. The top rated TV show was Coronation Street (Granada) and the box office smash was Lawrence of Arabia. A pound of today's money was worth £12.89 and Everton were on the way to becoming the Season's Division 1 champions.

On 18/12/1963 the number one single was I Want to Hold Your hand - The Beatles and the number one album was With the Beatles - The Beatles. The top rated TV show was Coronation Street (Granada) and the box office smash was The Great Escape. A pound of today's money was worth £12.64 and Liverpool were on the way to becoming the Season's Division 1 champions.

On 18/12/1964 the number one single was I Feel Fine - The Beatles and the number one album was Beatles For Sale - The Beatles. The top rated TV show was Coronation Street (Granada) and the box office smash was Dr Strangelove. A pound of today's money was worth £12.24 and Manchester United were on the way to becoming the Season's Division 1 champions.

On 18/12/1965 the number one single was Day Tripper/We Can Work It Out - The Beatles and the number one album was The Sound of Music Soundtrack. The top rated TV show was Coronation Street (Granada) and the box office smash was The Sound of Music. A pound of today's money was worth £11.69 and Liverpool were on the way to becoming the Season's Division 1 champions.