mikeh1947

Hillsboro I think we got the bus near the tram depot and not Pond Street as this was maybe 1952 53

Abbyedges Thanks for the memory nudge.Tony Warboys had the intention of introducing Labi as. Larry Syphlis.Not a good idea I told him, but he did introduce Sade as Sadie on opening night for a laugh. She didn’t think it was funny even though he corrected his intro immediately.

Back in the late 60s and early 70s,I was resident drummer at the Golden Dragon along with Tony Warboys on the organ.Roy Walker was a regular visitor ,sometimes sitting in and singing a song or two.Tony Whyte was a frequent attraction but some unknowns would be our cabaret attraction .Sade,Labi Siffre ,Emile Ford ,as well as local entertainers.Quite often first half of the night was jammed packed with Hen Parties etc until it was time for the crowd to leave, sometimes mid cabaret to go to the Fiesta.Tony and I had the task of explaining to the "turns"what could happen during their show.Later in time Roy Walker I was informed that Roy Walker and Sade became stars.Labi became well known for his only hit song.The title of which escapes me after all these:huh: years .

hillsbro..The bus we took to Manchester ,my Dad and Granddad Swindells was back in the early 50s.I couldn't have been more than 6 or 7 at the time.The bus stopped in a lay by probably on the Snake and everyone got off to sit on the grassy slope for a smoke and whatever.Maybe the driver back then had a flask of tea ,but the trip was memorable thanks to the mustard sandwich .One bite was enough.:

I was working in Jersey at the Opera House for the Max Bygraves,Frankie Vaughn show while Ronnie and Ricky and the boys were at Behans West Park.I met the lads a lot over the Season along with Terry who Ive known for years from our times on the clubs,Dean and Perry came to Max Bygraves recording session ,one on bass one on Percussion,I played drums on the session.It was a terrible shock for all of us on the Island when Ronnie passed.Ricki came back later in the season to close out the final days of the season.I told Deano and Perry that I lived on Brinsworth Road and Brinsworth hall Estate when they lived at the end of Brinsworth Road and Broadway. ---------- Post added 12-09-2018 at 11:34 ---------- Tinsley Club . Memories flood back. My drum residency with Iris Ward on the Organ was a great time.Full houses, Johnny Duffy,Graham McLain, Canon and Ball. Bobby Ball refused admission to the club by the door. “Ar tha filliated ?””tha come in if tha not” Chairman Tommy Ball to the rescue.”Don’t worry lad,I’ll sign there in”. Sad I had to leave but Radio Sheffield and the Aquarius came calling for me . ---------- Post added 12-09-2018 at 11:35 ---------- Tinsley Club . Memories flood back. My drum residency with Iris Ward on the Organ was a great time.Full houses, Johnny Duffy,Graham McLain, Canon and Ball. Bobby Ball refused admission to the club by the door. “Ar tha filliated ?””tha come in if tha not” Chairman Tommy Ball to the rescue.”Don’t worry lad,I’ll sign there in”. Sad I had to leave but Radio Sheffield and the Aquarius came calling for me .

Kay, It could be the same.My Aunt Alice was the go to family member who knew the history.My Nan Swindells was a Smith but there was a Pollard somewhere in the tree.I only met Burt once or twice,Uncle Fred lived in Beauchief(bee chiff).Over the years, we ,the kids were introduced to many relatives and twice Granddad,my Dad and I took the single decker to Denton,Manchester/Hyde area, to see some relative,I never got to see him.I do remember vividly the bus having to stop for the driver to rest??? and Grandad gave me one of his sandwiches.Colemans Mustard sandwich no butter.Uncle Burt may have been a Smith,I believe Nannan Swindells had a relative living in the back of the shop besides Alice and Donald,Mum moved out to Brinsworth after marrying Dad in 44 I believe, its possible that the old lady in the back was Nannans Mum..Grandma Smith.Uncle Fred and Aunt Winnie had three boys,Gordon,Kenneth and Uncle James who was a dentist in Sheffield.Nan was also related to the Lakins and somehow my Mum ,Marjorie had a Aunt Joyce who was Younger than Mum.Joyce Rufus had two kids.Heather and Ian who worked at Radio Hallam and Humberside,hes still alive.You might get some history from Ian on his Mums family history. Mike ---------- Post added 11-09-2018 at 11:30 ---------- Kay I have sent a message to my sisters to join the site. mh:)

Grand Dad was Harry Swindells.He had 3 brothers Fred,Billy and Burt as I recall plus one who changed his name to Smith .? rumour has it he was a money lender, hence the name change from Swindells to Smith. Grandad was always a hairdresser so where the Grocer bit comes from I have no recollection.He and Fred however did have a shop during the war on the corner of Handsworth road and road leading to Catcliffe.Thanks for the link.

Back in the good old days,I was resident drummer at Intake,Tinsley,Brinsworth,Silverwood,Golden Dragon and Aquarius.BBC Radio Sheffield and occasional deps for TC at the Fiesta.Over the years,I became a close friend and drummer with a lot of the Stars of tomorrow including My very good pal Paul Shane,Marti(Lynn),Tony Whyte,Lynn Perrie,Bobby and Tommy aka Cannon and Ball.The relationships between fellow resident musicians and 't'turns in general was like one big happy family.In hindsight what a blessing it was to be part of the Clubland scene back in the 60s and 70s.So sad to read and hear of clubs closing, the scene drying up along with the passing of so many of my Muso mates and Entertainer friends.

My Grandad Harry Swindells was a hairdresser on Tinsley front,I believe it is now a massage parlour after he sold it to Nat West Bank many years ago on his enforced retirement(he kept changing his date of birth). His shop was the place to go if you wanted all the local gossip, hence the title NEWS OF THE WORLD.Back then I was amazed, as a young lad to see that he knew just about everyone that lived in Tinsley.He probably did their haircuts, which included walking out of the shop, itching with hair down their necks.