Witchwood Badgeman blogs: June 2009

Above photos courtesy of Alison Brown and Strawbsweb

Well it all started off with a little trip to Hampton Court to see Rick Wakeman’s 6 Wives extravaganza. A nice little appetizer indeed and with a trip down to Rochester for the Sweeps festival, where the Electric Strawbs were playing their first UK gig with Oliver Wakeman on keyboards having previously toured Canada with the Band.

This gave the UK fans a chance to welcome him aboard and a fine day it turned out to be in every sense. The Sweeps festival is one that seems to bring all the youth of the area out to indulge in a little drinking and although the main street was crammed full with people in all states of inebriation, it was a pleasant afternoon in the early May sunshine.

Entertainment throughout the town kept every one amused and a stage set up in a courtyard , not far from the Cathedral … made a nice venue for some open air stuff.

.The band were to headline the Sunday in the tented venue in the park that was unceremoniously cleared by stewards of the assembled families etc all enjoying rides on the funfair.

Officially it re-opened at 6pm for those with tickets to the show and in the meantime a number of fans indulged in another great British tradition waiting patiently for that defining hour, by yes you guessed, queuing.

The show was a real stunner, even if a bit loud for one elderly steward – where have they been all these years ?, but of course the tour really kicked off at an unknown venue (for me) known as the Boom Boom club hosted within Sutton United Football Club.

But first, a trek into London and after a luncheon appointment a trip along to Parliament to swiftly hand in my expenses claim for payment, before they get stopped in their entirety. Uncertain whether I would be successful and with an hour or so to kill, I thought a little trip to one of London’s other sporting icons The Oval where they handle and play rather smaller balls, than in the other place.

I managed to take in a whole hour or so of pretty unspectacular “one day” cricket, before it was time to move on and head for South London, in search of the space known as the Car Park at Sutton FC. I can’t be bothered with those gadgets called navigation systems preferring to rely on my own imagination and geographic awareness of celestial bodies to find my way about.

Passed the following pubs, The Sun, The Angel and some jumping over the … now what was it ? ah yes the Moon and found my way to Sutton, before giving up on the idea of a leisurely snack for a quickly grabbed sandwich and couple of small pork pies. That’ll keep me going….it was going to be a busy weekend with three gigs in three nights and all in different directions.

Eventually after traversing the one way system in Sutton in a Round and Round sort of way , found my self in Ganders Lane …well what’s good for the goose is good enough for me and Strawbs. The car park was filled with cars, many watching some charity match going on behind the high walls but having wandered to the entrance saw what at first seemed to be a rather unspectacular function room.

Missed a kind thoughtful invitation from Kate, who telephoned me( and who I think by the end of the evening was rather glad that I had recommended this evening in Sutton- I was duly rewarded later) suggesting I join her and some of the the band in a pub, when I failed to hear her "Call to action"

Hmmmm..all this way , anyway spirits were lifted when joined by fellow Witchwooders who were descending from all sort of directions and who grabbed some prime but very moveable seats. These had been stacked neatly around the edges but obviously our removal team, or was it our interior decorators, thought that it was far better that they were placed in the centre.

It was not long before the room began to fill nicely and a request from the promoter “would all those naughty people who moved the chairs please put them back” fell on all the ears of deafness especially those by now getting stuck into their glasses of ale, lager and wine. Those without chairs, formed an orderly throng behind and as the temperature rose, some Victorian shaped fans straight out of the Raj, circulated over head like some missing link with the past.

By the time 9.00 pm came the place was packed … the atmosphere and energy was growing and the band were soon to be feeding off of that ….this turned into a very memorable evening and the band played as loud as the venue would permit and it was a real throw back to days of standing in sweaty venues with the band rocking hard. This was a truly great start to the tour. A quick stop over in West London for an invitation for a very welcome and refreshing coffee on the way home,( having missed the earlier beer), before arriving back at 2.00am.still feasting on the energy from the show.

Next stop Worcester. Well a handy hint to travellers to those parts , watch out for the Car Park charges. If you go to a show they still make you pay up to 9.00 p.m. and if you arrive early to have food first, then you are talking at least a £5.- the cost of a damn good fish and chips or from my part of the world 3 pints of cider. It’s not as if Car Parks away from the centre are cheaper, the ones I found were all the same price despite being rather plentiful. Oh I’m not going to go on about recessions or such stuff but many council’s are going to have to rethink those sort of charges if their high streets are to survive as shopping areas as monopolistic out of town stores worm their way into every corner of your basket.

Right that’s my grumpy old rant out the way.Well OK maybe just the first one !

Once I had got over that particular imposition, the rest of the night was rather pleasant. Nice meeting up with a load of Witchwood (A yahoo group) friends, all in town for the show but not before following Mr Lambert up the last few miles up the motorway, don’t tell him he might think I was stalking him, but really I was admiring his driving.

Witchwooder’s had agreed to meet at their new hotel for the night, their original had been closed the day before due to some “virus” problem. Pete and Lynne’s early arrival had sounded out an ideal place to eat. So off we all set in a group but it was not long before two became detached thanks to some detour along the way and got lost. Search parties were sent out – well actually that was me and after one abortive search mission found them aimlessly staring into space not knowing which way to turn. They were lost but now are found and a sumptuous feast then followed.

Interestingly, one of those who got lost drives around in their car with a satnav on. Now seeing we had one little trip around the block to deliver a keyboard to my car and my instructions to go left or right were well ahead of Lucy in the sky with diamonds satnav, or whatever she was called and well ahead of junctions shows my disdain for that bit of technology. If only someone would make them for pedestrians next.

Now there’s an idea, the patent is mine !! - too late they can also be hand held apparently ??

Huntingdon Hall is rather special in it’s own unique way. A concert venue etched out of a previous Methodist Chapel, still adorned with Pews of every size, pulpit and pipe organ. Improvements in the years I have been going there are noticeable, particularly in décor of the bar area and beyond. They even have stewards adorned in evening dress and dickie bows to show you to your seat…or pew, as it was for this occasion, but was this about them carrying noise level monitors during the show, don’t they realize this is a full on electric band likely to make a bit more sound than a zither.

….. and the thick chapel walls would keep it inside and much to our enjoyment. Indeed the great PA made this the second of two absolutely stunning shows on consecutive nights. I also spotted in the back row a couple (not with our party) sat in the back pew –they had an earlier smooching session in the hotel as we lazed around having a drink. Not too much that I miss on tour.

After the show much chatting between friends and out of this came what maybe yet the quote of the tour. Lou (of Lou and Bob fame) asked of the Strawbs webmaster ( he of fame as a guitarist etc. with the Strawberry Fools) “Dick are you still learning the guitar” – can’t repeat his answer.

Now we started this little trip now here is another. When you leave Huntingdon Hall turn left for about 50 yards, you then come upon the The Plough public House. It may not have the decadence of one of those chain things but what a lovely friendly and welcoming place it is, full of fine Ale and plenty of drinking advice ( I’m not being paid to say this by the way) but your welcome does make you feel you have been friends all your life.

Left there at some unearthly hour after some long term chatting ad I think that by the time I reached home the first flickers of light of the new dawn began to come out to play.

Much more to follow soon ………..its only just started

No sooner back than off again , this time to sunny Worthing. Well sun was what we were hoping for, but it turned out to be wind and rain. Met up with Ali and Lindsay who had done Worcester the night before and also had Les Cotton in tow, after finally finding his camping site tucked away in the middle of a field to nowhere. Round and Round I did go, to find that.

Now I know I said it was raining, well just a little bit not downpour stuff but enough to get you wet if you stood out long enough.."Never go out in the rain" a well known little tune from High Society was the mantra from Ali and Lindsay who fancied me driving them all of 75 yards from the Hotel to the gig - after all I would have have driven half way back again to find a parking space.

Lindsay eventually got a brolly out only to say.."it's stopped raining" true enough and at the time that was true. So apart from being a little windswept strolled the 75 yards or so to the sofa. Well it was Sofa, a restaurant bar, where strangely enough we found ourselves sat on some comfortable sofa's.

It was not that long before we were joined by Dick the Greener , out at a last show before a short holiday in New York to keep the rest of Witchwood happy, but not before we spotted on this very Sunday a real broken hearted bride - the name of the previous Strawbs album and a number being played on this tour.

On this time the broken heart must have been real... the scene was set on this Sunday for a nice little romantic photo shoot at the end of the pier as the sun sank slowly in the West ...too much of a miss not to snap this for our tour diary.. so off I dashed, as they disappeared with photographer in tow ... veil flying high and if the truth be known that wasn't all either ...poor thing...wind and rain spoiling the big shoot..broken hearted indeed, and would probably have to wait for midnight for the sun.

A trip from the South coast the the heart of the Midlands and a mecca for Strawbs and their fans..

One of our all time favourite places to play said Dave Cousins and from my point of view one of the best venues to go to in the country.

The Robin . at Bilston and although shorn of a few of the usual companions due to their own commitments, a good bunch of friends still gathered. Adie ....now, talking of shorn, wait to you see his new cropped hairstyle... you'll need a second look to recognise his metamorphosis, particularly as I had seen him on Saturday in full regalia. Bob and Lou, Roy, Sandy, Ali of course, Paul (Les C's pal & his friend - was it Malcolm?) , Dave and Paul and others too numerous to mention.

Now if Sutton had been loud and Worcester exquisite tonight brought a new meaning to the word loud, no more dreaming of your youth, this was a full return to a hard rock club stuff, with Dave Cousins reaching the threshold of ear piercing pain at times, as he hit the high notes. This was great stuff absolutely superb and the whole band played their part - as Chas said afterwards "he felt caught in the centre of a sonic blast" as the interplay between Dave Lambert and Oliver Wakeman reached what seemed to be new heights and crescendo, driven along by Rod Coombes outstanding contribution.

It's the stuff you dream of and when it all comes together, the playing, the sound and the venue, you just want more and more.

For those going to Glasgow you might just need to take lifejackets, the power the band are producing, may just blast that static ferry adrift from it's moorings and you'll sail away down the Clyde and out to sea.

Before I forget a brief mention of Jake Flowers , probably the best and most entertaining support act we have seen on the tour so far and a support we had seen before at this venue.

The next couple of gigs I would be missing , including that Glasgow one which I had done on the two previous tours and felt a bit sad about missing out this time around.

I was heartened with the thought that the next gig would be Cheese and Grain Frome , not all that far from my doorstep and after loads of travelling a chance to lessen the driving commitment. Now, this was a gathering many had been looking forward to as Witchwooders descended from all parts of the country for this musical jamboree and experience.

Les Cotton had parked his camper van on my drive and we had toyed with the idea of a taxi to take us home after what promised to be a very late night in the hotel where most of the fans (and band) were staying ........and so that proved 4.00 am. or similar was the time the last stragglers went to be bed, but with the idea of a taxi already abandoned after a quote of £58 for a 20 minute trip seeming like extortion of the tenth degree - it was just soft drinks, chat and conviviality that filled the night.You can travel from London to Paris on Eurostar for that price it seems Eurostar - what a rip off - the taxi I mean not Eurostar

The next day I returned to say cheerio, some were worst for wear, some had lost their glasses in which it seems I had been a contributory factor.Reminded me of a town not so far away where a guy lost his false teeth one night after a bit of a bender. Next morning rather gummy went searching for the lost teeth (makes a change from Sheep - Another great track on the tour - from the Album "From The Witchwood".) Getting backing to the chap without teeth, he was in luck and found them in the gutter at the side of a street. So pleased he was to find them , straight in they went, without as much as a wipe or wash in a liquid called water.

Everyone departed in different directions just after lunch, which left matters rather flat as there was another 2 whole days before the next gig at the renowned Stables at Wavendon in Milton Keynes. Having said that there was then the prospect of 6 consecutive dates to look forward to by way of consolation.

So Milton Keynes arrived and an early arrival in time to eat in their nice restaurant I was joined by a few more friends and we awaited the arrival of Strawbsweb web master Dick Greener, his assistant web mistress was there already. He had just returned from USA he was feeling probably a little tired, but having missed a gig or two wanted to get his next fix as soon as he got back into the country and that was tonight!

We all took our well planned seats and watched an absolutely terrific show from our ideal position. Well when I say we, I should exclude the earlier mentioned web master who was seen to fall asleep a varying intervals throughout the show, even during the third number Sheep, where level of volume is not what you might call demure.

A few digs in the ribs at appropriate moments curtailed the bouts of snoring, but if you think I'm exaggerating a little, look at his gig review on Strawbsweb, the number of songs reviewed was certainly reduced a bit from the show I saw and witnessed !

The following night was in Alnwick, so in order to reduce the trip a bit next day , it was off up the motorway for a couple of us, enjoying a bargain basement price in a rather expensive hotel.

Managed to get the hotel to re-open the bar, just after they had closed, but they weren't quite so happy when I requested short that had been neatly locked away in a cupboard amongst all the other optics.

Quick night cap , then off to bed, only for a false fire alarm to disturb the first few moments of sleep.

A real good, trouble free trip up the motorway saw us reach our planned lunch stop, just a couple of minutes after the planned time..not bad for a 210 mile trip. Great lunch then off to Alnwick. Time was short so a quick walk around the outside of their historic castle , visit to the museum, which included desks from a previous century classroom, if only we had had Oliver with us , they were offering Organists a free play on their historic organ. We were lucky enough to find individual blackboard tablets for chalk which announced the arrival of the band in town, saying "Class of Strawbs", take that whichever way you feel

The gig unusually started at the early time of 7.30, our wanderings allowing just enough time for a quick snack sat outside a bar near the venue, but the prosepect a longer time for "afters". This true to form proved exactly how it happened and as the bar shut in the theatre immediately before the end of the show, everyone spilled out onto the pavement. Dave Cousins make a quick trip across the road and came back with news of the result of the European football cup final and then couldn't get back inside to collect his stuff - the rest of the band were still there and all the officials too who had locked the doors and although themselves inside, weren't anywhere in sight. A few minutes passed before he was rescued and it was then off to a local hostelry where a discovery of Alnwick rum was made, together with a comfy sofa and enjoyed for most of the night.The bottle containing the Alnwick rum found the recycling bin by the end of the night

Far too soon it was time to be leaving, short trip into Newcastle next day, but not before some sightseeing first. First on the agenda next day was Bamburgh - a wonderful and very peaceful place, which hosts the The Grace DarlingMuseum

which has been modernised since my last visit quite a few years ago. It's filled from time to time with some choral music to create atmoshpere, but some how the choral effect on the track that can be found on "Ghosts" overode that inside my head, it was all very moving anyway.

Another wonderful thing about Bamburgh is the castle standing high and right next to the beach on an outcrop of rock,

sheltering beneath it's lea is an atmosheric cricket ground, which you can walk around and the path then leads to the magnificent beach where you can cast your eye across the sea the Lindisfarne and the Farne Islands with the Longstone lighthouse and the scene for Grace Darling's heroic deed.

Seahouses, full of "Half term" tourists and Craster, famous for it's smokies(kippers) - you too can be smoked for free, if you stand in the street outside the building and down wind for too long.

A trip into Newcastle and my digs for the night, before my very first trip on their metro took me to within walking distance of the Cluny well in time for the show, under the careful direction of my daughter who is at university in the Toon..oh dear mean city. Toon means something else up there it seems

What better way to spend a balmy evening than sat under the stunning and historic Byker bridge built in 1878 and supping a pint or two or... of "Old Rosie" itself a famous cider experience. Met up with Ali again, who introduced me to a couple of her friends from way up North.

After Alnwick the night before, the tour (geographically speaking) was heading back South but not before a show at the famous Cluny

and sitting on the wall outside enjoying the evening sunshine all the band came over to say "hello" as they passed by, enjoying a dose of fresh air ahead of the performance.

DC eulogised as he passed, about the voice of young female singer who was performing in the bar of a pub across the road and although I popped over for a listen the poor thing was battling lots of one of those age old problems - lots of noisy pub chat (don't you just hate that !) - so I never got a real good listen..very frustrating, given the recommendation.

All that was all very relaxing, but the best was yet to come. Clearly this bar and venue is very popular and with the performance area holding 250, most of whom were standing and without doubt clearly out to enjoy themselves. By the time the band hit the stage the area must have been reaching close to capacity.

This was to prove an excellent evening and the band got a terrific reception. Indeed, such was the atmosphere and energy inside, that the walls must have been dripping - the level of communal singing amongst the audience showed many fans were also present. The ovations at the end of each number raised the temperature even higher and everyone witnessed an absolutely brilliant show and made this a real night to remember.

Before I forget, many thanks to Ali to for giving me a lift back to my digs for the night.

However, at the end of the evening one question still remained unanswered. Just how many bricks did it take to build that bridge ? Wouldn't it be great if the band returned to play there and we could then start to count them, but maybe they would need to play for a week, but who would care, this was a great night.

But as a final postscript to the evening, let me tell the tale of two guys who were stood at the front of the stage generally enjoying themselves, headbanging and joining in with the lyrics and obviously thrilled to be there - it wasn't just the beer ! Now what would you do? Don't tell me I don't need you to? when the band ..just changing, trousers no doubt around their ankles, after their stellar performance , when in to the changing room, barged these two all in the best of spirits of course!

Really heading South now and Bedworth just outside Coventry was the next stop. Stopped for a leisurely lunch and wander around Wetherby,

Arrived in the town after a long drive that avoided the motorways as they were clogged up from Wetherby down so I saw places I had never been to before, but that was part of the fun.

On checking in, food was on the agenda, but we knew we were a bit short on time so made enquiries three times before ordering as we had a taxi booked for 7.00. Guess what the food arrived at 7.02 much to our dismay, but led to Port and pringles much later that night.

We all adjourned to a pub after the show to chat (quite naturally) and all attempts at enticing Julie to Cardiff for the following night seemed to fall on hurdle of distance, but there were many cries of Oh I wish, I wish ,I wish. I shall return to this later.Back to the lodgings for the night courtesy of Julie , just in time before they closed the bar...not another to re-open at least ! A bottle of Port later saw the light of day..actually I suppose to be correct it was the lights of night.

Back to the show at least I didn't find my self in the same position as Steve and Paul who cheerily supped away some Beer in pub during the first half , not realising this was another 7.30 start. At least they turned up in time for the second half.

Julie had driven down from Matlock and Ralph was there too another member of the The Strawberry Fools

Next day, end of a half term week, made the decision as there was plenty of time to avoid the motorways as the drive to Cardiff was little more than a couple of hours. All went pretty well except for a navigational error around Warwick sent us close to the town centre rather than around the outskirts and then got a bit held up in Studley - that was just unlucky as they were having the main road through the centre of the village re-surfaced, probably for the first time in 20 years !

Stopped for a leisurely lunch in Tewkesbury, by now I was getting good at those! before heading South through the glorious wooded valley of Symonds Yat and beyond and in to the centre of Cardiff where I had not driven for years.

Arranged with Ali to meet Lindsay off her bus which she had organised from London for the cost of about £5 or thereabouts. Arrived well on time but it took us a few minutes to locate her as she said I'm outside the bus station facing the clock face. The directions seemed rather obscure from where we were standing , that is until we realised that there were 4 clock faces and both looking at a different one. I "clocked" that first !

Whilst those stopping over were dropped off at their hotel, I observed that Cardiff must have the fittest and most agile disabled folk in the Country. Near to the Town centre and outside a Weatherspoons there are a number of disabled parking places and I observed a number parking , throwing their disabled stickers into the dashboard , before dashing themselves into the pub , with a hop , skip and quickstep second to none.

It must be one of the perks handed out by the Welsh Assembly, as we don't seem to get those sort of things in England. But then again perhaps there was a disabled relative and they were just "borrowing" the badge and popping into town for a "shopping trip".

Before the gig , found a nice pub in the student area of the town and enjoyed a very cheap, but very nice meal. It was 6.00p.m. The students were all celebrating, end of term or finishing their exams. Thankfully, we didn't have to take any before we left for the gig, although we did have a first class honours in our midst.

A short walk up the road to the Globe and saw a large queue forming for entry. We were not concerned as well had tickets already and it was not long before we were inside and greeted in joyous fashion by Julie who had inded driven all the way down from her home close to Matlock after all our arm twisting.

By the end of the night she ended up doubly delighted as when someone gets around to compiling a list of legendary Strawbs gigs, this one may well be on it.

When DC quipped early in the evening " Do any of you remember Cardiff Castle" it showed that quite a few did and at that moment you just knew that the night was going to be a rather special one amongst friends. By the end of the evening the whole audience both young and old were turned on and tuned in to the sound of Strawbs.

On this tour there have been so many you could regard as really special and outstanding, Boom Boom Club, Bilston, Milton Keynes, The Cluny, Worcester, Frome, all for slightly differing reasons and by all accounts both Glasgow and Derby (although I wasn't there) were pretty special too.

But tonight , set in a terrific and steamy rock club,with a standing "pit" and the band and the audience were on fire. Roy and Sandy who were making this a trio of Strawbs gigs on the tour were there and of course Ali and Lindsay were there too.

Well before the opening sound of "Lay Down" faded, the audience was in full voice joining in on chorus as they did on many other songs during the night and lest I forget the audience participation, the swaying , thrashing and dancing and the rhythmic clapping on "Round And Round" and Rod's drum solo, where his quick switch of direction accommodated all that had joined in. Indeed even Dave Lambert joined in the fun on that "solo" by adding some tasty guitar and who himself played like a hero, with virtuoso guitar solos and gentle and emotional song.

The two set list show, was a mirror of previous but somehow the evening turned the various musical passages and solo's into even lengthier epic's. Oliver's superb playing won many an admiring glance, as his fingers moved ever so swiftly over each of his keyboards embellishing each song with his own very special talent and his intepretation on tour of these Strawbs classics has been a joy to behold.

And what of Chas ...well of course he took it all in his stride, the sound was mixed just great (thanks Paul) so those throbbing bass notes were in evidence in every right place.

DC sang of demons and of innocent charm all in one and his introductions bringing fits of laughter from the gathered throng.

We chatted to many during the evening and they were overwhelmed and joyous in their praise. As the set closed the loud cheering and general hullabaloo enticed the boys back for their regularly featured encore.

Yet still the audience,had not had enough and after a further 5 minutes of endless clapping chanting and singing of something that sounded in the noisy pleading like "Strawbs" , "Strawbs", "Strawbs" the boys came back out and did a mini reprise of the encore, much to the delight of everyone who had taken the band to their hearts.

A truly superb night and as Julie departed for a 4.15 a.m. return we departed to try to keep the bar open. It was rumoured to close at 12.00 and it was already 12 minutes to and we had yet to drag Lindsay away from her entourage. If only we had one of those blue flashing light things on the top of the car, all the red lights against us wouldn't have seemed quite so important, but despite those hold ups we made it with one minute to spare , only to find our dash was worthless as there were still people in the bar and it remained open.

The following night was a trip to the Mick Jagger Centre