To celebrate National Poetry Day The Tyneside Cinema welcomed punk poet John Cooper Clarke for a one-off live broadcast of the documentary Evidently… John Cooper Clarke. Not only were we treated to a screening of the film, but the great poet was also there himself, and took part in a Q&A session after the film. The proceedings were beamed to a dozen or so cinemas across the UK, and the audience at each event was given the opportunity to tweet questions to John. Laura is a big fan, so along we went.
Evidently… John Cooper Clarke, is a documentary which “records and celebrates the life and works of ‘punk poet’ John Cooper Clarke, looking at his life as a poet, a comedian, a recording artist and revealing how he has remained a significant influence on contemporary culture. With a bevy of household names from stand-up comedy, lyricists, rock stars and cultural commentators paying homage to him, the film reveals Salford-born Cooper Clarke, as a dynamic force who remains as relevant today as ever, as successive generations cite him as an influence on thier lives, careers and styles.
From Bill Bailey to Plan B, Steve Coogan to Kate Nash and Arctic Monkey’s front man, Alex Turner to cultural commentators such as Miranda Sawyer and Paul Moreley, the film exposes the life behind one of Britain’s sharpest and most witty poets – a national treasure.”
Laura and I both enjoyed the film which featured all of John’s best known poems, and the Q & A session gave a fascinating insight into his life and influences. I found out quite a few things that I didn’t know about John. For instance I wasn’t aware that his poems had been placed on the national English syllabus for Schools. He even told us which brand of hairspray he uses to keep his formidable locks in place.
Posts Tagged ‘music’
4 Oct
Evidently… John Cooper Clarke Tyneside Cinema 3 Oct 2013
3 Oct
Martha and the Muffins Newcastle Mayfair April 1980
Martha and the Muffins Newcastle Mayfair April 1980
Martha and the Muffins appeared on the UK music scene in the late 70s, and reached the height of their popularity in 1980, with the success of their great fun single “Echo Beach”. The band is from Canada and a version continues to this day. They were considered new wave at the time and you could see that they were influenced by the B52s, and Blondie, among others. The Mayfair was absolutely packed to the walls for this gig, which was surprising given most people, including me, will only have known one song by the band. The band was led by two keyboard player vocalists who both called Marta (confusing or what ! :)); Martha Ladly and Martha Johnson. My memory is of a set of pleasant songs and major craziness, dancing and singing along by everyone for “Echo Beach”. I found a review of their gig at the Marquee, which was printed in Sounds at the time, and was a little luke warm: “Audience reaction throughout was remarkably appreciative considering the newness of band and material, and despite the overly polite, slightly incommunicative stance of the Muffins. You know what they say about art students. ‘Echo Beach’ came across the most confidently. “We don’t know if it really exists,” mused a Muffin, “but maybe it’s on stage tonight.”” (Betty Page, Sounds, 1 March 1980).
“Echo Beach” is one of those catchy songs that you can’t get out of your mind. Haven’t written this, that song is going to be rattling around in my head for the rest of today. “From nine till five I have to spend my time at work, The job is very boring, I’m an office clerk, The only thing that helps pass the time away, Is knowing I’ll be back at Echo Beach some day.
Echo Beach, Far away in time. Echo Beach, Far away in time” (Martha and the Muffins, 1979)
2 Oct
Fleetwood Mac Manchester Arena 1 Oct 2013
Fleetwood Mac Manchester Arena 1 Oct 2013
Great show by Fleetwood Mac last night at Manchester Arena. Possibly the best time I’ve seen them. Fleetwood Mac are enjoying a renewed wave of success. It seems everyone wants to see them and demand for tickets for their concerts has been much greater than the last couple of occasions they visited the UK. This gig at the massive 20,000 capacity Manchester Arena sold out in a matter of hours and tickets have been changing hands for twice their (already expensive) face value. There has also been some added excitement in the form of Christine McVie rejoining her old band mates at a couple of the London concerts.
I was sitting in my seat way up in the top level at the back of the arena. This is the 5th time I’ve seen the band, the first being way back in 1972, and I was still pretty excited and really looked forward to it. I was quite a distance away from the stage, but it gave me a great view of the whole arena. This was very much a classic rock show with crowd pleasing songs, drawn largely from “Fleetwood Mac”, “Rumours” and “Tusk”, excellent visuals, and great individual performances by each member of the band. Stevie still manages to pull off her gypsy, hippy rock chick image, all swirling skirts, twirling folk dancing, and even we even saw the return of her top hat towards the end of the show. She may have reworked some of the songs to remove the higher parts, but her vocals remain stunning. It would be easy to say that Lindsey Buckingham is the star of the show. He is on stage throughout, performing a couple of songs solo, notably Big Love which was outstanding, and featured Lindsey with acoustic guitar in front of a massive black and white video image of himself. His guitar playing was excellent, and got a great crowd reaction. But it would be unfair to focus on the couple out front; after all without the two older guys at the back there would be no Fleetwood Mac. Mick Fleetwood sat behind a massive drum kit, towering over the others as a man and as a presence. A true English gentleman of the old school, he came over as a cross between the gentle head master, and a master of ceremonies. I hadn’t noticed it before, but most of the songs seem to start with Mick and the drums leading the others into the melody. John McVie is the quiet man, who Mick says is “always on my right, and the backbone of Fleetwood Mac”. His role should not be underplayed. Together those two guys kept the faith through hard times, and managed the rebirth of the Mac, achieving what seemed to be the impossible. 
Last night I felt a different vibe around the Mac. What I saw way down in front of me on that stage was a group of friends who have finally come to terms with who they are, how they relate to each other, and the trials and tribulations of the past. It was obvious, much more so than on previous outings, that these four guys have reached a place of deep understanding and respect for each other as people. The vocal interplay and the looks and stares between Lindsey and Stevie were much sharper than in the past. On “The Chain” they were almost spitting the words at each other. At another point they hugged, and when they returned for the encore it was hand in hand.
The sound was a little ropey when the band first came on stage and started with “Second Hand News” but by the second song “The Chain”, it was sharp and crisp. Highlights for me were “Rhiannon”, probably my favourite, “Gold Dust Women” and the closer “Go Your Own Way”. I even enjoyed Mick’s drum solo during “World Turning” and the tracks from “Tusk” started to make some sort of sense to me; after all this time. The band seemed in quite a playful mood. At one point, someone shouted, “I f***ing love you Stevie!” and she responded, “I f***ing love you too! It’s a f***ing lovefest in here!”. Lindsey then joined in, mimicking a northern accent “I f***ing love you, Stevie”. I was a little disappointed that there were no songs from the Old Mac days. “Oh Well” remained in the set for many years, but has been dropped now. This line-up also used to perform “The Green Manalishi” in the 1970s; now that would be great to see. As Mick said at the end “The Mac are back”.
If the rumours are to be believed they could be returning to the UK to headline Glastonbury in 2014. Based on last night’s performance, if they do play, they will tear the Pyramid stage apart, and could easily match this year’s performance by The Stones. Setlist: Second Hand News; The Chain; Dreams; Sad Angel; Rhiannon; Not That Funny; Tusk; Sisters of the Moon; Sara; Big Love; Landslide; Never Going Back Again; Without You; Gypsy; Eyes of the World; Gold Dust Woman; I’m So Afraid; Stand Back; Go Your Own Way. Encore 1: World Turning (including Drum Solo); Don’t Stop. Encore 2: Silver Springs; Say Goodbye.
1 Oct
Alvin Lee (solo) in concert 1979 to 2004
Alvin Lee (solo) in concert 1979 to 2004
The late great Alvin Lee is a hero of mine. From the moment I saw his incredible performance in the Woodstock film I was hooked. That excerpt of him playing Going Home just blew me away. His guitar playing was exceptional, so fast; it seemed incredible, almost impossible that anyone could play at that speed. I sat in my bedroom practicing for ages, playing my vinyl copy of Going Home at 16rpm to try and pick out the notes. Sadly I failed; I went back to learning Clapton and Peter Green licks. At least they were slower, although I could never get the feel right. Oh and the single Love Like a Man was also a great favourite of mine when I was at school. Today I’m reflecting on the times I saw Alvin Lee in concert as a solo artist. I will write about the great Ten Years After when I get to the letter “T” (sorry for splitting Alvin’s work in this way, but that’s the way my programme and ticket collection is organised so I have to stick with it now :)).
My first engagement with the solo Alvin, was according to my tickets, in 1979 at Newcastle City Hall. Actually I am pretty sure that he was touring with a three piece band called Ten Years Later at the time, but the promoter obviously felt it better to list the gig as an Alvin Lee concert. The place was pretty empty as I recall, and Alvin was playing some new material, some rock n roll classics, and a few Ten Years After tunes. I think he played Good Morning Little Schoolgirl, Choo Choo Mama and Going Home. As always his guitar technique was excellent and his energy was boundless. The guy simply WAS rock n roll.
There was a long gap before I saw Alvin again. The next time was at Sunderland Empire in the early 90s, possibly in 1993 or 1994. By then Alvin had returned to playing many of the TYA classics and just tore the place apart. The last Alvin Lee concert I attended was when I went with a group of mates to see him, Edgar Winter and Tony McPhee on a blues package bill at Newcastle Opera House. 
I found a setlist from around that time which includes: Rock and Roll Music to the World; Hear Me Calling; I Can’t Keep From Crying Sometimes; How Do You Do It; Don’t Want You Woman; Getting Nowhere Fast; I Don’t Give a Damn; I’m Gonna Make It; Slow Blues in “C”; Skooby-Ooobly-Doobop; Love Like a Man; I’m Going Home; Rip It Up; Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On / Johnny B. Goode / Bye Bye Johnny. Again, Alvin was superb, much better than the other bands on the bill. Edgar Winter was also pretty good. Although I am a big fan of Tony McPhee his performance that night wasn’t too hot, I’m afraid.
When I think of Alvin Lee I picture him playing Going Home or Good Morning Little Schoolgirl, with a red Gibson guitar, super fast guitar playing and a unique mix of rock’n’roll, jazz and blues. Oh and sometimes some pretty crazy scat singing.
When I heard Alvin Lee had passed away I couldn’t believe it. He seemed so full of energy and always looked so fit. He is a big miss. There really wasn’t any other guitar player like him, and there still isn’t.
30 Sep
Lynyrd Skynyrd Newcastle City Hall 1977 (and a look back to 1974 and 1976)
Lynyrd Skynyrd Newcastle City Hall 1977 (and a look back to 1974 and 1976)
I saw Lynyrd Skynyrd three times in the 70s; once at Newcastle City Hall supporting Golden Earring (they blew them offstage), supporting the Stones at Knebworth in 76 (some would argue that they were the better band on the day) and then this gig where they headlined their own UK tour and called at Newcastle City Hall in 1977.
I’ll start with some brief memories of the Golden Earring support slot, which I have already blogged on, under Golden Earring. “The most memorable thing that I remember about the City Hall gig was the support act, who were Lynyrd Skynyrd, and blew Golden Earring off the stage that night. 
It was an unlikely pairing of acts even at the time, as Skynyrd were an up and coming band, having just released their second album. In fact, many members of the audience left after Skynyrd’s set.” My friend John recalls: “I can remember the very large Confederate Flag behind the band and for me it was the best gig I saw them play. They were fresh, different and very exciting with an epic version of Free Bird. At later shows I sometimes felt they were going through the motions and the fire was missing”.
John and I then saw Skynyrd at Knebworth where they (almost) stole the show from the headliners, the Rolling Stones. They played a lengthy version of Freebird that day, with amazing guitar solos, and which gained them a lot of friends. It was a red hot afternoon and Skynyrd came into their own, with their twin guitars dualing across the opposite sides of the Stones tongue stage. This was televised on the Old Grey Whistle Test, and helped propel the band to mega status in the UK. They were back for their own tour in 1977, which sold out very quickly. Support act was Clover, an American band with a country boogie feel. Skynyrd came over as conquering heroes and the thing I remember most is that they were incredibly LOUD. It was probably one of the loudest gigs I have ever been to. Oh and Freebird went on for ever, and ever, and ever. I thought that the song was never going to end (but it was still good 🙂 ).
The setlist from Knebworth 1976 is listed here. I think their set at the City Hall in 1977 was quite similar; give or take a couple of songs: Workin’ for MCA; I Ain’t the One; Saturday Night Special; Whiskey Rock-a-Roller; Travelin’ Man; Searching; What’s Your Name; That Smell; Gimme Three Steps; Call Me the Breeze; T for Texas; Sweet Home Alabama; Free Bird.
On October 20, 1977, just three days after the release of Street Survivors, and five shows into their most successful headlining tour to date, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s chartered jet ran out of fuel near the end of their flight from Greenville where they had just performed at the Greenville Memorial Auditorium. The pilots attempted an emergency landing on a small airstrip, but the plane crashed in a forest in Mississippi. Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines, assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, pilot Walter McCreary and co-pilot William Gray were killed on impact; the other band members (Collins, Rossington, Wilkeson, Powell, Pyle, and Hawkins), tour manager Ron Eckerman, and road crew all suffered serious injuries.
I had tickets to see the Rossington Collins band at the City Hall in the late 70s, but the tour was cancelled. I saw a more recent (re)incarnation of Lynyrd Skynyrd at Manchester Apollo in 2009 and they were pretty damn good too! I’ve already blogged on that gig.
29 Sep
Nils Lofgren Newcastle City Hall 1979
Nils Lofgren Newcastle City Hall 1979
The last time I attended a Nils Lofgren concert at Newcastle City Hall was in September 1979. I have seen Nils since, as a member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street band, but this was the last time I saw him in concert as a solo artist. Support came from Live Wire, a London pub rock band led by guitarist/vocalist Mike Edwards. Their music resembled Kilburn and the High Roads, or early Dire Straits. The tour was in support of Lofgren’s sixth solo album, simply called “Nils”. 
The strongest memory that I have of Nils concerts, is of Nils and his stage antics which were quite theatrical at the time and included a trampoline. For some crazy reason he had taken to having the trampoline on stage so that he could do body flips, while playing his guitar, ay various points in the show. He was obviously a pretty fit guy, but I remember thinking that it was a pretty bizarre thing to do. The trampoline gimmick stayed with Nils during his early days with Bruce and the E Street band. I’m not sure when he stopped using it, but I am pretty sure that he hasn’t done so in the recent Springsteen concerts that I have attended.
27 Sep
Nils Lofgren and Tom Petty Newcastle City Hall 1977
Nils Lofgren and Tom Petty Newcastle City Hall 1977
On a few occasions I have seen the support act clearly outshine the headliner. Lynyrd Skynyrd as support act for Golden Earring is one example. This pairing, of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers supporting Nils Lofgren in 1977 is another. We’d read a lot about this new upcoming band who combined classic rock with the energy of punk, the Byrds’ jangling guitars, and a cool blonde-haired guy singing. I’d seen them on TV, probably on the Old Grey Whistle Test, and was blown away by the song “American Girl”. I remember being a little confused by the name, as I had just seen Johnny Thunders and his Heartbreakers in concert! So we made sure we were in the City Hall early that night to see Petty and his band. They certainly didn’t disappoint, and gave the crowd a set which Nils found difficult to follow. This was one of the rare occasions that I have seen the hall full for the first band, and the support act having to return for an encore. I saw Petty again the following year supporting Jefferson Starship and Genesis at Knewborth, but haven’t managed to see him since. I had a ticket to see him at the Albert Hall last year but couldn’t make it on the day, which is a big regret for me. I hope Tom returns to the UK sometime soon so I can have another chance to catch him in concert. 
The tour programme proclaims “Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers is purely and simply the best mainstream rock debut by any American band this year…” and that Tom is a ” grey-eyed offspring of Speedy Keene and Mick Ronson” :). This album, the single “American Girl”, the tour, and their appearances on UK TV broke Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in the UK, and enabled them to go on to success in their home country and across the world. The UK dates with Nils were so successful that Petty and the guys were back a few weeks later to headline their own series of dates. From the Melody Maker at the time: “Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers end their breakthrough British tour with Nils Lofgren this week — but the band return for their own concert series next month. The band’s phenomenal rise to headlining status has taken just three weeks. They came to Britain at the beginning of this month to play as support band on the Lofgren tour. Petty and the Heartbreakers, however, are ending the tour as one of the most in-demand bands currently playing in this country.” Nils was promoting his new album “I Came to Dance” and played an excellent gig, but was simply outclassed by the young guys who preceded him on stage that night. “I’m not Bob Dylan, but I never miss a beat. I ain’t no philosopher, I dance in the street. I came to dance…..”. 
The Lofgren set list at Newcastle City Hall 24th May 1977 was: Rock ‘n’ Roll Crook; Keith Don’t Go; Like Rain; Incidentally It’s Over; Goin’ Back; Code of the Road; Cry Tough; It’s Not A Crime; You’re The Weight; Moon Tears; I Don’t Want To Talk About It; Back It Up. Encores – Beggars Day; I Came To Dance.
The Tom Petty set list was: Surrender; Jaguar And Thunderbird; American Girl; Fooled Again; Breakdown; Listen To Her Heart; Strangered In The Night; I Need To Know; Anything That’s Rock ‘n’ Roll; Dog On The Run. Encore: Route 66.
“I Need To Know” was a big favourite of mine at the time, and brings back happy memories. This was one of those gigs that still sticks in my memory and that I would love to relive if I could.
Many thanks to Mitch for the two setlists, which helped bring back some of the memories.
26 Sep
Nils Lofgren Newcastle City Hall 1976
Nils Lofgren Newcastle City Hall 1976
Nils Lofgren had a serious pedigree when he appeared on the scene as a solo artist in 1976. This guy had played with Neil Young on After the Goldrush, he’d been a member of Crazy Horse, and fronted his own ban Grin. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I went to see him in 1976. I’d seen Springsteen for the first time the year before, and I thought that Nils could be of a similar musical bent, with the added attraction of his excellent guitar playing. Nils had just released his second solo album “Cry Tough”. The set featured songs from his first two records. 
I remember the song “Cry Tough” itself, a great version of Goffin and King’s “Going Back” and my own favourite, which was “Keith Don’t Go” a song about the stones’ Keith Richards and his drug bust in Toronto. Nils would wear bright Hawaiian style shirts and scarfs would be hanging from the head of his guitar. I went to see Nils a few times over those years in the late 70s, my mates and I were quite into him at the time. Support on the 1976 tour was a British band called Unicorn, whose music was reminiscent of Buffalo Springfiled, The Byrds, Poco, The Eagles and many other Country Rock bands of the 70. They released four albums with the help of Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour.
25 Sep
Arthur Lee and Love Newcastle Opera House August 2002
Arthur Lee and Love The Forever Changes tour Newcastle Opera House August 2002
“Alone again or” is one of those songs that sits outside any standard definition of a pop or rock song. Along with many of the other tracks on the Forever Changes album, its structure, rhythms and phrasing are unlike anything else I have ever heard. I remember being simply amazed by its uniqueness the first time I came across it. I bought a beat up vinyl copy of the album many years ago, but never thought I would get to see Arthur Lee and Love live.
However, in 2002, after spending six years in prison on gun charges, Love founder and frontman Arthur Lee began performing again. He formed a new version of Love, put together from members of the band Baby Lemonade, and set out on a tour of Europe. Marie and I went to the gig at Newcastle Opera House. The show featured the 1967 Forever Changes album, and tracks drawn from the remainder of Love’s back catalogue. Arthur was joined by a string and horn ensemble and did a petty damn good job of recreating his Love masterpiece. The evening was something I thought I’d never get to see, and the songs continue to amaze me every time I hear them.
Arthur Lee passed away in 2006 after a battle with leukaemia. Kandia Crazy Horse of Vibe Magazine wrote in an obituary that “‘Forever Changes’ (was) his psychedelic masterpiece … an exhilarating mash-up of West Side freak folk with East Side mariachi and blues. Lee out-jangles his heroes the Byrds on the immortal ‘Alone Again Or’ and aims his symphonic trigger dead at the Beatles on his greatest work, ‘You Set the Scene.’ In total, a glorious song cycle exploring the dark side of hippiedom.”
Setlist will have been something like: My Little Red Book; Orange Skies; Alone Again Or; A House Is Not a Motel; Andmoreagain; The Daily Planet; Old Man; The Red Telephone; Between Clark And Hilldale; Live and Let Live; The Good Humour Man; Bummer in the Summer; You Set the Scene; Robert Montgomerey; My Flash On You; Signed DC; Everybody’s Gotta Live – Instant Karma; August; Always See Your Face; Listen To My Song; She Comes in Colors; My Anthem; Singing Cowboy; 7 & 7 Is
A review by the Opera House:”It’s always difficult to sell tickets for a show in August with everyone in holiday mode, but we did for Arthur Lee. After only a month on sale, he pulled a very large and very partisan crowd. The faithful were well rewarded for their patience, many had waited 35 years to see him. Ever the showman, he didn’t let anyone down, quite the reverse. With lots of grit, strength and enough talent to make a thousand boy bands, Arthur sang his way through his impressive back catalogue.”
21 Sep
Bill Nelson The Hepworth Wakefield 20 Sep 2013
Bill Nelson The Hepworth Wakefield 20 Sep 2013
Last night I spent a fascinating couple of hours in the company of Bill Nelson in Wakefield, the city in which he was born and grew up. This was a one off performance that showcased Bill’s instrumental soundscapes, accompanied by live projections. The location of the gig was especially apt as it was once home to Be-Bop Deluxe’s own rehearsal space. The gig took place in the Calder building of the Hepworth, an art gallery just outside the centre of Wakefield. It was a charity gig to raise money for a restoration project for Unity Hall. The venue for the concert was a new annexe to the Hepworth, situated in an old textile mill on the banks of the river Calder. Attendance was limited to 300, apparently for health and safety reasons, although the venue could have held many more, and the event sold out some weeks ago. There were some seats, although not nearly enough for everyone, with most people having to stand. 
I bought myself a badge and a signed programme from Bill’s last 2004 tour, which I missed.
The evening started with a screening of Memory Codes, a very personal film created and soundtracked by Bill which looked back at his early life and at Wakefield in the ’50s and ’60s. It was interesting, if a little like a home movie, with old photos of Bill and his family, as he grew up in Wakefield.
The concert started at 8.30pm and was a set of instrumental performances, each one played on a different guitar (I counted 10 guitars, and there were 12 songs so it wasn’t quite one per song). Bill’s guitars have to be seen to be believed. They really are beautiful, exquisite instruments, all of with tinges of 50s and 60s in their design. The music is difficult to pigeon hole, as is the man himself. You can hear the influences, which Bill discussed at one point; The Shadows, Duane Eddy, Santo and Johnny. Add to that echo, futuristic, soaring solos, some funk, and some rock. The video images of the evening included many which I recognised from my youth: Dan Dare, Rupert the Bear, Torchy the Battery Boy (my favourite TV programme when I was a kid), Amazing Worlds, Sci Fi, MarvelMan, old film of Be Bop Deluxe.
Setlist: ‘Gloria Mundae’ accompanied by images of the sonambulist from the Cabinet of Dr Caligari, and which Bill explained was first performed in Wakefield in 1990 on the Bandstand with his brother.
‘I always knew you would find me’; ‘Blue Amorini’; ‘Think and you’ll miss it’; ‘The boy who lived in the future’ a new number played on the Stratovariouse(?) guitar; ‘The girl on the fairground waltzer’; ‘Beyond these clouds the sweetest dream’; ‘Sleepwalk’ A cover of the Santo and Johnny track. This was simply astounding. It was difficult to believe that it was one guy on stage producing all those sounds. I found it just stunning. Maybe that was because it was the only song which was familiar to me. ‘Golden dream of circus horses’; ‘A dream for Ian’ dedicated to the memory of Bill’s brother. ‘Artifex’ which featured the voice of William Burroughs; and the last song ‘For Stuart’ in memory of Stuart Adamson, with tinges of Big Country running through it. Bill produced Stuart’s band The Skids.
Bill explained that he would normally perform an encore, but that the back stage area was so far away at the rear of the building, that it would seem silly walking right across their only to return; and hence For Stuart was the encore.
A great performance. It is over 30 years since I last saw Bill Nelson in concert, and his performances are rare occurrences these days. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I certainly wasn’t disappointed; the show made me realise what a tremendous guitar player Bill Nelson is.
The event was a total success and a great homecoming for Bill, with lots of family and friends present, including Bill’s mum, nephew and son and youngest daughter; and fans who had travelled from very far afield, including the USA (which makes my 100 mile drive seem nothing at all :))
Stopped off for sausage and chips at the Wetherby Whaler on the way home. Pleased to see that it is still there, and still making fine fish and chips; must be 10 years or more since I last called in; it used to be a regular calling point when David played hockey in the Yorkshire league. Got home just before midnight.
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