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'Hippies' on the beach c1960s
This is a photo I took on Brighton beach of reporters (possibly from the Argus)
interviewing supposed �Hippies�. There were substantial numbers of youngsters
sleeping on the beach, and under the piers in the �60�s, I would guess mostly for
the fun of it, and they all came to be classed under that somewhat amorphous
category for convenience sake in the press.

I can remember the older generation at the time, peering over the rails of the prom
with savage expressions on their faces, muttering such phrases as �they orta be
locked up!� and �need a few years in the army mate�disgusting!� Mind you, it could
be a scene from Qudraphenia apart from the clothes! I had a short back and sides at
the time, so didn�t join in!

'Hippies' on Brighton beach in the 1960s | From the private collection of Stefan
Bremner-Morris
zoom
'Hippies' on Brighton beach in the 1960s
From the private collection of Stefan Bremner-Morris
Categories1960s (35)Lucy Hermann: Editorial team (8)
Page created18/11/2008
Comments about this page
Just looked at the picture of �hippies on the beach�. In my previous comment on
this site, I mentioned Wizz Jones, and lo and behold it is him sitting at the end
of the boat, and I think it�s me sitting there playing the guitar with him.

By John Winch (18/01/2009)

Thanks for that John. I thought nobody was going to respond to this photo. I wonder
if the comment below raises up any vibes? It came from the �Arches� page. Is there
any chance one of the other blokes on the beach is the man called Rod, as he
admitted in a recent interview that he was a hippie for a period in Brighton?
Cheers.

�This brings back memories of days on Brighton beach helping Rod Stewart get back
to London and inviting him to come visit Eel Pie Island. I spent a lot of time in
Brighton and on the old barge at Shoreham.�
By Dolores (17/06/2008)

By Stefan Bremner-Morris (20/01/2009)

I have memories of hippies and previously beatnicks, living on the beach at the
bottom of West Street. A semi circle of dark pebbles. As a young teenager I was
often in awe of them. Blankets on their backs and a �freedom� that I so desperately
wanted. Psychedelia at weekends (The cottage) and Patcham Fawcett during the week.

By Nigel P Short (23/02/2009)

Wasn�t there a woman who used to give them food? Chip butties I think it was. I
used to hang out at the Cottage, smoking roll ups (�That isn�t what I think it is,
is it?� �No, just Sun Valley�). I remember getting thrown out of the King and Queen
with my boyfriend of the time because �We don�t want your sort in here�. I used to
dream about going on the road, like Jack Kerouac, but never had the courage. Oh
well.

By Fuchsia (12/03/2009)
The woman on the beach who fed the hippies/beatnicks with fish, chips and butties
was Mrs Smith. I was not one of them, but I know a man who was, he always speaks
fondly of her. The fish and chips came from the chippy in Boyce�s Street: she used
to send one of them up there.

By Peter Groves (13/03/2009)

I haven�t looked at this page for a while, but glad to see a few new comments. This
might trip a few memories as well. Among the so called �hippies� on the beach,
especially Easter and other bank-holiday weekends, were Colin Hicks (Tommy Steele)
as he was later known, Russel Quaye and the City Ramblers, Wizz, Long John Baldry,
Cousin Will, Moxy, Pete Stanley and many, many more. There was also a fairly strong
local contingent. I was just starting at the art school then and we all used to
meet at Mrs: Q�s � the landlady of the Running Horse in Black Lion Street, and
after chucking out time, at The Ballad Tree just down the road next to what we
called the New Bank. I lived upstairs at the Balad Tree for a short while, and one
day when we lost our keys, Peter Green and myself climbed over the bank roof to try
and get in; we were promtly arrested for attempting to break into the bank. At
least, that�s what they said. There was also the Easter �Ban the Bomb� marches,
when a whole lot of good intentioned people set out to Aldermasrton and at Clayton
tunnel turned back, either to finish the day in the pub or �doss� on the beach
again. Later we all started going in the Cottage and the King and Queen, and Laurie
Poore and myself played over the road in the Norfolk Arms. By this time, most of
the so called Hippy Generation had stopped coming down to Brighton. Those days of
the five o�clock milk train sadly died. Rod Stewart used to play with us all in the
Heart and Hand in North Road too, and an Everly Brothers type duo called Chuck and
Giddian who, eventually made it into the top ten at the time. Somewhere around that
time I started the Country and Gospel Club at the Heart and Hand upstairs until it
got so crammed full we had to move. We had all manner of guests who just seemed to
drop by for the fun of it. Wizz played there, Pete Stanley, Tom Paxton, John Pearse
and even Rod came up and played a couple of blues. (Nobody knew who he really was
then, as he was trying to do a Dylan act.) Anyway great days, and I�d do it all
again given half a chance. And, something I just remembered, somebody mentioned the
house boat at Shoreham (and I pressume they also knew the Lady Jane pub) well,
Stewart lived there for a while like us all, and Leo Sayer started from there.
There was also a �Maidstone Mick� and another little crowd who brought a beautiful
Dutch barge down from the Medway to live on. I think the remains of it are still
there, but not recognisable now.

By John Winch (31/08/2009)

Glad my picy raised so many memories for you John. I only saw Tommy Steele�s
brother in a Brighton pub on the Kings Road. Should have had my camera with me� As
a matter of interest, what were the journalists up to, and were they from the
Brighton and Hove Argus? Did you get interviewed?

By Stefan Bremner-Morris (02/09/2009)

It wasn�t Tommy Steele John, it was his brother. Tommy real name Thomas Hicks was
already famous in the 1960s. I�m almost sure his first hit was in 1956 and on the
Decca label. Colin Hicks had also sung with skiffle bands on the seafront near the
Palace Pier in the 1950s.

By Joan Cumbers nee Oram (12/09/2009)

Lots of great stories about the 60s here. I�m currently working on a project about
the music scene in Brighton during the 60s, if anyone would care to spend an
evening over a pint and tape recorder please contact me at the following email
address: smyth_johnson@[Link] Cheers.

By Martin Johnson (15/09/2009)

I used to be with Mrs. Smith and occassionally bought the chips. I hung out with
Girl Geordie, Mary Lytton and Hamish, and Shoreham John to name a few.

By Elaine Edwards (17/02/2010)

Just a quick one to correct a couple of facts by Peter Groves just for the sake of
history. As a member of the �Hippie� group who well in my case lived on the beach
by the subway has fond memories of Mrs Smith. She never for as long as I knew her
purchased fish, it was always chips and one large white loaf no butties as such. I
do remember being be-friended by the owner of the chip shop in Boyce�s Street and
turning up every night at closing time for the left overs. Huss, Huss and more Huss
and to this day I do not eat fish an chips.

By John Edwards (nee Eddie Stone) (03/03/2010)

I was one of Mrs Smith�s hippies for a summer � until I emigrated to Hastings! She
was a curious lady and liked to chat for hours about our lives but we never found
out much about hers. Does anyone remember an old hippy guy called Leo? He lived on
the beach during the day but disappeared at night.

By Linda Brown (05/03/2010)

Leo Griggs! Lots of bead necklaces, liked to offend just before Xmas so he had
somewhere to go. Even walked out in front of a bus and got a broken leg. Bonus that
year!

By Elaine Edwards (15/03/2010)

Linda Brown: Did you sleep under the West Pier then go to Newquay?

By Elaine Edwards (17/03/2010)

If anybody is interested, you can find wedding films of Tommy Steele and his
brother (as best man) in the Pathe News site. They are very similar in looks, and I
gather, part scandinavian in origin. The �Steele� is a corruption of a family name
from that past, and not an agent�s addition for marketing purposes, although I
suppose it came to the same thing in the end.

By Stefan Bremner-Morris (25/04/2010)

I lived on Brighton beach in 1965 and remember Zak, Sorrows, Reg and many others.
We often rented a basement flat too, about 20 of us and sneaked it. Groovy Days.
Pammie.

By Pammie (21/11/2010)
I remember Mrs. Smith well; she was always on the beach with her bread & chips.
They opened up the arches for us to stay the night. We stayed on occasions
underneath the miniature railway. The atmosphere was electric! I would not change
anything, absolutely brilliant. Stayed some time on a boat in hove and ended up
falling off the gangplank into the mud the boat was moored in. It was in the
papers.

By Denise Jones aka Twigs (30/12/2010)

Sad to relate that Mrs Smith passed away in 2006, but she remembered everyone in
her �family� of beats and kept in contact with a few of us to the last. I remember
Elaine, I think she had a sister, and I knew Hamish and girl Geordie very well,
along with many others. Does anyone remember Shane who was always playing his
guitar, sometimes practicing with a guy called Moose? I went busking round Europe
with Shane a couple of times and we had a great time, but we always came back to
Brighton beach, which was our base.

By Yorkie Thelast (16/06/2011)

To Mrs Smith, she has gone but not forgotten. These letters sent in has brought
happy memories to me. Well done.

By Maurice Owen (16/06/2011)

I came to Brighton in the early Sixties from London and dossed down in the Mermaid
Hotel on the seafront. There I met Jeff, Spike from Birmingham and Dave (Lucifer).
When eleven o�clock came, the landlady used to knock on the door and utter those
well dreaded words, �Guests please leave.� We used to hide up in cupboards, under
beds and behind doors. We used to frequent the seafront. There we met other
hippies. There was Ann (I forget her second name), Fuzzy Bob, Mary and Twiggy
(nickname). In the evening we used to go down and see Mrs Smith, famed for her chip
buttys. There we used to while away the hours, talking. I also recall a chap called
Leo. He used to open up the Archway for free coffees and a place to sit and talk.
Does anyone recall Ghost, an Irish man with long ginger hair and a beard? Sometimes
we use to pass the night away sleeping at a place called The Temple at Black Rock,
or under boats. maurice-66@[Link]

By Maurice Owen (18/06/2011)

The last email Adddress for Maurice Owen .mauriceto66@[Link]. has changed to
maurice-66@[Link]

By Maurice Owen (22/06/2011)

Yorkie, remember you well. Wasn�t Maurice known as Lucifer or was that a different
Maurice, lived on the house boat in Newhaven. My sister was Janet. Last time I saw
you, you were visiting with cowboy�s Jenny.

By Elaine Thompson (16/09/2011)

Sam �Moose� Mitchell died about 2006. If you google Sam Mitchell you will find a
lot of information and a video of him playing in Denmark with a band called
Sandrocks.

By Elaine Thompson (16/09/2011)

Hi I�m Elaine�s sister, Janet, I remember Yorkie (mate of Dave Hale) and Maurice
well. The former for his sheepskin waistcoat and boots, and Maurice for his evil
grin! Also remember Lucifer, I gave him my rosary beads.

By Janet Roland nee Edwards (17/09/2011)

Sandmen was the band in Denmark that �Moose� was with, not Sandrocks.

By Elaine Thompson (19/09/2011)

Nice to remember Elaine and Janet, you brought sandwiches for Dave Hale and me one
morning when we had dossed down in the field where you kept your pony, then you fed
the horse. What became of Hamish? I remember visiting many years ago. Sad to learn
of Sammy Mitchel passing away � I remember seeing him play his steel guitar on �The
Old Grey Whistle Test� one time and I know that he was playing with Long John
Baldry�s band for a while in the 70s. He was a nice guy and a talented musician.
Maurice was the same one who lived on the houseboat at Newhaven, �The Queen Leigh�
and he had a friend called Lucifer. I am still in contact with Maurice. If anyone
wants to get in touch with me, my e-mail address is : yorkiethelast@[Link].

By Yorkie Thelast (20/09/2011)

Yorkie, I believe Hamish died. There is an obituary on the Blantyre ain website
under his correct name. I haven�t seen him since 1975. Also Monk died last year. I
expect Janet told you that. Not many of us left now!

By Elaine Thompson (22/09/2011)

Janet, I did live on the houseboat in Newhaven. I do remember you. Sorry about the
grin. I was just being friendly.I dont know what happened to Lucifer (Dave). I am
still in contact with Yorkie. My email is maurice-66@[Link]

By Maurice Owen (23/09/2011)

Has anybody else read [Link] Arch 167? Maurice you are in the �book�. Google
it.

By Elaine Thompson (26/09/2011)

Hi Elaine, Yorkie told me about Vic�s masterpiece. I don�t remember being like
that. I never got involved with Dave�s night time activities. I am embarrassed a
bit by what he said. But that�s life.

By Maurice (26/09/2011)
Just been reading Vic Stephen�s (Coughtry) autobiography (Arch 167). Just to
clarify, I am not the same �Yorkie� that he mentions in one chapter (40 years old
etc.) I was around 20 at that time, and I did know Vic, although not too well.
There were several ex-Yorkshiremen like me unimanginatively known as �Yorkie� in
those days, before the advent of the chocolate bar!

By Yorkie Thelast (27/09/2011)

I remember some of the events in the �book� but don�t remember Vic being there! Nor
on the boat!

By Elaine Thompson (29/09/2011)

Hi Elaine, Vic stayed with Dave and myself on the boat at Newhaven. He seemed at
the time a down to earth person. I have been in contact with him he was upset about
what he said about me. He never spoke of Mrs Smith do you remember her?, lovely
lady.

By Brighton (29/09/2011)
I remember Melba Smith; you could set your clock by her. 6pm on the dot, bottom of
West Street, immaculately dressed. I think a lot of the �book� was from other
people�s experiences - written as his own.

By Elaine Thompson (03/10/2011)

Only just come across this page! I was often on the beach with Mrs Smith in 1968. I
was known as Casey and hung around with Fuzzy Bob, Irish Mike, Cue and others who
lived on the houseboat at Shoreham. I had a desperate teen crush on one of Mrs
Smith�s favourites � Ginger Bob ��. Whatever happened to him I wonder? I
constructed many a chip butty for Mrs Smith who was always grateful for someone to
get on with feeding her children so she could get on with praying for them! Great
memories!

By Jools (02/06/2012)
Jools, Casey, never mind Ginger Bob what about his mate Mick? (not Irish Mick.)
Both had affro hairstyles last time I saw them.

By Elaine Edwards (08/06/2012)

My parents and my step-father were all part of this scene and I guess you could
call me a Brighton love child. I have been trying to find out what happened to my
father Marcus Reid who was in Brighton from 1968, last known sighting of him in the
early �70s. I was brought up by Sindy (my Mum) and Izzy (my step-dad) who slept
under the pier in Brighton for a while as I understand. Thanks for sharing the
photo, I have heard so many stories of this time.

By Maya Lang (15/06/2012)

Maya, most people then had nicknames. Did your dad have one, or do you know the
names of others he was with?

By Elaine Edwards (18/06/2012)

Hi Maya, I knew Sindy and Izzy (Israel?) in the 60s and like them often used to
sleep under the West Pier. Say �hi� to them for me if they can remember me; if they
want to get in touch I can be contacted on : yorkiethelast@[Link]. All the best
with your search. Yorkie.

By Yorkie (19/06/2012)
I will pass on your message Yorkie. I have sent him this link so he may be along
himself shortly. My biological dad was know as Marcus but his real name was Anthony
James Read (so I guess you could say that was his nickname). He arrived in Brighton
in 1967/68.

By Maya Lang (25/06/2012)

Maya � Where did he come from? Did he arrive with someone else?

By Elaine Edwards (26/06/2012)

Hi Elaine, he arrived in Brighton with a lady called Angela Snowdon (no nickname I
know of). They are both pictured under �Marcus and Angela� in Vic�s blog that has
already been mentioned here, but he had dramatically changed his style by then. He
and my mum Sindy were a couple for a while 1969-1970 (before Izzy) and very much
part of the Brighton �hippie� scene. Thanks for taking an interest.
Yorkie � I don�t know if Izzy (Fred) got in touch but he remembers you well and a
lot of others on here.

By Maya Lang (26/06/2012)

I had thought he was with Angela. Did you contact her through Vic / find out from
her if she knew where he originated from in case he went �home�? Is Fred�s surname
Robins? Did he go out with girl Geordie for a while?

By Elaine Edwards (27/06/2012)

Elaine � Yes, I have been in touch with Vic and Angela, they were very kind and
gave me lots of information and I found a half brother as a result but nothing
after 1972. He may well have had other girlfriends but I don�t know the names of
any that he hung out with in Brighton. I was told he was from London but I can�t
find a match for a birth certificate. Izzy�s real name is Fred Cartman. Thank you
again for taking such an interest.

By Maya Lang (28/06/2012)

I just thought of another couple of names that have been mentioned in connection
with him, a couple called Les and Tot and an artist named John Upton. Don�t know
that any of them slept on the beach but they were on that scene.

By Maya Lang (28/06/2012)

John Upton wasn�t �part of the scene� but I spent some time �socially� with him and
his family and others on the Level but can�t remember who was there apart from
Hamish.

By Elaine Thompson (29/06/2012)

Hi Maya, John Upton had been Artist-in-Residence at Sussex University in the mid
60s and was very active in Brighton with art projects and the very oddball
�Brighton Poetry Group� who used to put on weekly public performances on the
esplanade near the archways. John lived three doors down from my pad in Hanover
Crescent at one time and he was a very nice, approachable guy, very talented. The
last that I heard of him some years ago was that he had moved to Edinburgh. You
will probably be able to find out more via Google. Hope this helps.

By Yorkie (30/06/2012)
Well thanks anyway Elaine. I will keep searching. If anyone does have any
information on Marcus, aka Antony James Read, you can always email me at
maya_west_2000@[Link].

By Maya Lang (30/06/2012)

Re: John Upton. The wall leading to the Combination where Izzy worked had a large
mural by John Upton on it. It has all been demolished now, sadly, so I expect that
the artwork was destroyed also.

By Yorkie (05/07/2012)
Hi, just read the blog and wanted to say that my dad, John Upton, passed away a few
years ago. I hoped he was in the hippies on the beach pic but he wasn�t.

By Circe Upton (23/07/2012)

Sorry to hear about your dad Circe, spent many a pleasant time with him when he had
a studio in Kemp Town. We used to pop in when we lived at Pankhurst Avenue and you
were just down the road - remember him painting the house in large flowers; the
council were not impressed.

By Frederick Cartman (08/08/2012)

I often visited the beach around 69, 70. Some nicknames were Dave the Pave, and
Dave the Rave. I met up with some of them again in 1971 at Glastonbury Fayre. There
was also a young Irish lad , but cannot remember his name. Wasn�t there also a lady
that used to preach to us?

By Terry (19/08/2012)
Terry, there were at least two �boys� by that name, if the irish boy you referred
to had hair almost like ringlets and dark red he was Mick. The lady was Mrs Smith.

By Elaine Edwards (22/08/2012)

Thanks Elaine. The Irish lad I knew had dark hair. I think his name was Jimmy but
not sure. I remember Mrs Smith preaching but never got a chip butty. Peace.

By Terry (24/08/2012)
My dad Allen King lived on a barge in Hove with Rod and a few others, sound like
great times, I wish I was around in those days.

By Lucy (10/10/2012)
I just found this page by accident. I too have fond memories of Mrs Smith and her
chips. I was sleeping on the beach for two summers and remember Leo, Spud and Gypsy
who had a dog. Loved the spaghetti bol at The Cottage and stayed a few nights with
Cowboy and his wife at their flat with my then boyfriend. Tourists were always
coming past and used to give us half a crown to take photos. Happy days.

By Jane (14/11/2012)
I have been reading everyone�s comments about your times in Brighton especially in
the early sixties���..

Dear Rachel
Sorry but we have had to delete/edit your post. We are no longer allowing the
posting of requests to find third parties, as sharing information like this
breaches their privacy. We recommend you try GenesUnited.
Comments Editor

By Rachel Illsley (26/11/2012)

Fascinating seeing all this stuff. I wonder if anyone remembers my mother Coral
Rutherford or her friend Jimmy Webb. She hung out at the Ballad Tree as well at the
Penny Farthing. She remained passionate about folk music�

By Joss (03/01/2013)
Jane, l remember Cowboy and his wife and spud, Leo, Gypsy, and Mrs Smith and her
chips.

By Maurice (06/01/2013)
I�ve just come across this site. I was living on the Rupipa houseboat in Shoreham
around 67/ 68. Not very good at remembering names, I came down from London with a
friend called Dawn/Val and went to the Archway and Combination. My boyfriend at the
time Tony Hatton was doing a blues night at the Combination. I still have some
sketches I did of that time and place. I�d like to post them here. I�d just left an
art school course I�d been on

By Dee (11/02/2013)
I worked in the cafe in the Combination.

By Frederick Cartman (14/02/2013)

Dose anyone remember the silver lady (not Mrs Smith) where you could get 2/6d to
tide you over? Also the convent in St James�s Street where you would be given a
milk bottle of tea and sandwiches, and the hot pie shop?

By Maurice (01/03/2013)
Thought I would let those who knew him know that Hamish died in 2009.

By Elaine Edwards (15/05/2013)

What memories! I was on the beach in the 60s � I was known as Davy McLennon back
then. I knew Mrs Smith, a guy with a pet Raven!, Jean Sinclair, Howard, who
actually lived in �Purpleonia� and played nice guitar and people with unlikely
names like Joe Moses, Dave the Rave. I visited the Brighton Combination, the Broken
Pie Shop (the baked bean ones were my favourite). I played guitar and did a gig
somewhere with a flute/guitar player called Roy Pennington. I saw and played the
first �proper� Steel National type guitar I had ever seen. The owner was a superb
bottleneck guitarist, he was a �scouse� or a �geordie� and this was in the Arches
where you could get free coffee or tea. I left to return to my home town of
Nottingham but returned soon after with my girl friend and future wife Christine
and lived for a while in Newhaven on a house boat called the �Queen Leigh� owned by
Mick Dancy who use to take us all in a mini-bus to the labour exchange in Lewes on
dole day! Happy, happy days!

By Dave Jones (22/05/2013)

One of those �hippies� on the beach was Rod Stewart!

By Jennifer Tonks (24/05/2013)

With regard to the comment about Rod Stewart, one of the self written tracks on his
new album is called Brighton Beach and it is about those days in the 60s.

By Derek Lake (25/05/2013)

I remember you Dave Jones. My name is Marilyn and I had red hair, you were good on
the guitar and we all used to meet in arch 167 with Leo in charge. Such good days!
I met my husband Jim there who came down from Liverpool and we have now been
married 43 years. I used to hang around with a girl called Margaret and we where
called the mod girls.

By Marilyn Jones (27/05/2013)

Margaret went out with Cowboy and you both worked for Burtons. The Scouse mentioned
by Dave Jones was Sam Mitchell whom you can google.
By Elaine Edwards (03/06/2013)
Hi Elaine, Margaret did work above Burton�s in a machine shop called Rentmoors and
I worked further down West Street where Wetherspoons is now in the Top Rank
television offices. I think I do remember you - it is such a long time ago.
Margaret did go out with a cowboy when I first went out with my Jim that was long
before he met Jenny. He looked us up a few years ago. He is living in Bacup near
Cue (do you remember him he was called Cue as that is where they met him?).
Cowboy�s son died a few years ago due to drugs, we have lost touch now. I do
remember Moose and so many other people and I have so many wonderful memories of
those characters and the Mermaid Hotel and the rupipa houseboat in Shoreham. Funny
I live near there now . I met up with Mrs. Smith last time Cowboy came down but she
had lost the plot a bit, and it was all a bit awkward. Glad she is at peace now.
Nice to hear all the old names. Love

By Marilyn Jones (04/06/2013)

A very interesting page; brought back a lot of memories. Any old hippies still out
there � male or female � that lived in Brighton in the �60s and �70s, I would love
to hear from you: (rogergb1@[Link])

By Roger Graham-Brown (21/09/2013)

Does anyone remember these pubs and places: King and Queen; The Norfolk; Full Moon;
Basket makers; The Western; Hungry Years; Lady Jane; Barley Mow (Kemptown); Open
Cafe; the Combination; Infinity Foods cafe, and the music venue above the then
Regent cinema. You can contact me on the email address on the previous posting.

By Roger Graham-Brown. (21/09/2013)

Does anyone remember the name of the music venue above the Regent cinema � the
Stones played there? Also, is there anyone out there who lived in 7 Norfolk Terrace
� Cowboy, Anna, Yorkshire Mick, Dennis Sutton, Paul the Bear, Roger and Gerda Post,
Dave Leggett? Please contact me on rogergb1@[Link]

By Roger Graham-Brown (01/10/2013)

Fiona Mcleod � are you still in Brighton? I went out with you for a while � you
were always with your friend Linda � remember the King and Queen days and live
gigs. It would be nice to hear from you. Contact me on rogergb1@[Link]

By Roger Graham-Brown (02/10/2013)

I think the club the Stones played at was The Big Apple Club,which was the old
Regent Ballroom (wooden springy floor). They had cushions all over the floor which
got thrown at the stage. I saw every band there except the Stones cos they played
on a Wednesday night. Had my wedding reception in the King and Queen. The Hungry
Years on the seafront had some good pub bands playing there including Chilli Willi
and the Red Hot Peppers. Happy days.

By Terry (03/10/2013)
Roger Graham-Brown re Yorkshire mick � see Yorkie the last at top of page. I think
Anna was rehoused to Moulscoomb when landlords were required to have fire escapes,
if she was the Anna with a few children, originally from America.

By Elaine Edwards (04/10/2013)

I am the author of �Empty Pocket Blues- the life and music of Clive Palmer� which
was published in 2008. Clive went on to be a founder member of the Incredible
String Band as well as a large part of the late sixties folk music scene in
Cornwall. He lived on the houseboat at Shoreham before going up to Edinburgh in
1962. I was just reading Rod Stewart�s biography and he mentions how in awe his
gang were of the �real beatniks� at Shoreham. I am preparing a second edition of
the Clive book and would love to hear from anyone who remembers Clive in that
period.
By Grahame Hood (22/10/2013)
I have just come across this site. Fond memories. I am really sorry to hear that
Monk has died � he was my best mate way back. I have fond memories of Melba Smith,
Nugget Spud, Coventry Mick, Girl Geordie, the Basketmakers, Barley Mow, Western,
Norfolk Cottage and hanging out on the beach all day, sleeping under West Pier. I
remember Jack Kerouac�s �On the Road�. Those were the days- great times: summer on
the beach in St Ives, Donavon and Gypsy Dave were sleeping on the beach, John Upton
and Bruno (both dead). There are not many off us left now. Brighton was the coolest
place in the country to hang out in. I hitched from Burnley to Brighton. I have
been to many places but always came back to Brighton and live here now. Wonderful
times

By Chris May (25/10/2013)

Does any one remember David stringer (Lucifer) 1960s; just found out he died few
years ago. Not many of us left now

By Maurice Owen (26/01/2014)

Hello, I have some paintings from John Upton to sell. Does this name ring the bell?
Many thanks

By Regina (29/01/2014)
To Elaine Edwards: thanks for the info about Cowboy and Anna from rogergb1@[Link]

By Roger Graham-Brown (10/02/2014)

Does anyone remember Lyn and Mary of 118 Lansdown Place in the 1970s? I used to
hang out in the Western upstairs.

By Chris May (24/05/2014)

In the distant past someone mentioned �Sorrows� in passing. Met up with him in
Lincoln of all places, when I went to do Social Work training in �74 but lost
contact after I qualified. There was also someone who went to Sussex Uni, via
Melanie Klien, and then went onto Oxford to teach. What was the name of the
basement folk club in Queens Sq? Ironic, it became a probation office and I was
there when we heard about the Lockerbie disaster! Phil Galpin (Phil and Tanya of
that time)

By Phil Galpin (04/06/2014)

Phil Galpin, I remember Phil and Adrienne, was that you?

By Elaine Edwards (07/06/2014)

John Upton, as well as being a fine artist (yes, he knew what a pencil was for
unlike some artists today) also had professional papers as a boxer and made Nobbins
as a sparring partner to 2 British champions. He had his papers taken away, I
believe I am right in 1957(?), having hit a name low and then beating him as he was
falling out of the ring � which of course any pacifist would find a natural thing
to do � after which he devoted himself to his art. I met him as I was establishing
my Bronze Foundry and Studio (55) and our meeting was also due to our scrapping on
the pavement by the Thames. He hit me very hard and I tried to push him over the
wall into the river. We were pulled apart and spent a night in the nick, but were
not fined. A lifelong friendship ensued.
Someone mentioned Spud above � did he not become professor of old British languages
at Brighton Uni? In his earlier life Patric O�Rielly (wife Sally) who wrestled
under the name Mustapha Ali Bey?

By Eisen (13/07/2014)
OMG! I was there from 1965 onward. I remember most people but we never used
surnames. I spent time with Broc, Dublin, Maidstone Pete, Dave the rave, Dave the
pave, Ginger Bob, Pedro, Bruce, Cowboy, Sorrows with the long blonde hair, Yorkie
and on and on. I lived on the Rupipa with Bruce and was the one with London tatooed
on his navel. Played harp too but so did lots. Hop-picking near Maidstone and
Swedish girls.

Dear Steve, Sorry but we have had to edit your post. We are no longer allowing the
posting of requests to find third parties, as sharing information like this
breaches their privacy. We recommend you try Friends Reunited website if you want
to track old friends or neighbours.
Comments Editor

By Steve Knight (29/09/2014)

It nice you should remember me Marilyn, Brighton was one of the best times of my
life ! it was also nice to know the name of the guitarist I knew back then, Sam
Mitchell, although sad he�s no longer with us. Thanks for the name Elaine, that guy
was such an influence on my own playing along with another Brighton blues player,
Dick Wardell who is still going strong.

By Dave J (29/09/2014)
Sad to hear from Circe that her dad passed away in 2012. I was on a walking tour
of Brighton today focussing on graffitied buildings and I am sure John painted one
in the 60s? Which is what led me to google his name. He was friends with my dad
then, Tony Marmont (he passed away in 2010) my brother Adrian has lots of John�s
drawings and I have a pencil sketch he drew of me in 1969 Which has pride of place
on my wall. I remember going to a circus with John and his family, he was wearing
the animal skin jumpsuit he wore a lot and tried to ride on a bucking donkey! My
uncles Martin and Colin Cherriman were lifeguards on Brighton beach around this
time and I am sure Martin stayed with Rod Stewart � maybe on a houseboat in
Shoreham?

By Lisa Bartup (30/09/2014)

As an add on to my earlier comment � I noticed back in 2009, John Winch mentions
Laurie Poore � he went on to marry my auntie, Pauline Burns (nee Cherriman).

By Lisa Bartup (06/10/2014)

Does anyone remember Noel Cash and his brother Brian? John Norton and his brother
Joe? Jack Dixon or Johnny Nolan? Bob Kiplin, Janet Bennet, John Topping or Archie
Andrews?

By John Mason (12/11/2014)

I note that I get a mention on this history of Brighton page, and on the Rupippa
both in Shoreham and Newhaven. The Rupippa was towed to Newhaven and later burned
for scrap copper a few miles up the river. Those were the days. Mike Dancy now
plays bridge in the evenings and lives in Sussex. I remember Dee, visited her at
her folks� place in Plymouth. I lived opposite Les & Tots in St Michael�s Place.
Les built me a fine bike.

By Roger Hatton (06/05/2015)

I helped Mike Dancy collect the copper and brass from the Rupippa. Sad day, lot of
history.

By Maurice (23/05/2015)
Hi to John Winch who mentions �Moxy�. Would that be he with the long red hair? I
used to spend my �runaway� days and nights on the beach. I was called Patsy then,
and had been at boarding school in Brighton before being expelled and sent to
London. So Brighton was where l would escape to, with so many people. I was very
very young, only 14 in 1964/5. Can anyone shed light on Moxy?

By Patricia (05/06/2015)
I was sleeping on the beach in �71 and I remember Mrs Smith and her chip butties,
Leo selling the West Pier to passers by for 5p, broken biscuits from Woolworths,
groceries from the bins at the rear of Waitrose, getting evicted at night from
under the railway and from some plastic changing cubicles. There was often casual
work in the kitchens (Imperial and Grand), and I remember getting the sack with a
few others after exiting a hotel via the foyer instead of the rear entrance, all
carrying our rolled-up sleeping bags etc.
I remember some annual event where we dossers were allowed in to a church hall
kind of place over a weekend, where we feasted on liberated food accompanied by an
older chap playing respectable 12 bar blues on the piano.

By John (12/06/2015)
I remember a guy called Ghost � he hung out on the beach and never said a lot � a
gentle, haunted-looking man with sunken cheeks and long wild hair. Also Anna of 7
Norfolk Terrace, Cowboy, Brian Webster (they went to Bacup), Yorkshire Mick, Ginger
Bob and his girlfriend � Cathy? Unforgettable times and people.

By Nina Trott (23/07/2015)

The older guy who used to play the piano was known as Blues Jimmy and I believe
that he still lives in Brighton. The place was St Mary�s Church Hall, just behind
the clock tower, I seem to think that it used to be open as a sleeping station at
Christmas time.

By Yorkie (25/07/2015)
Was that the ghost Irish with long ginger hair? Last time I met up with him was in
Lowestoft few years back.

By Maurice (29/07/2015)
Does any one remember shep? I think he is on the photo at the top of the page
sitting by the boat. He had a stick and beard.

By Maurice (30/07/2015)
Hi Patricia, I lost touch with Moxy back then and came across him later at �Les
Cousins� club in Soho. I think he was playing flute with Davy Graham. Anyway,
whatever he was playing he didn�t stop even when Roy Harper got up to play, who
then threatened him with a certain amount of violence if he didn�t shut up. This
was about 1968. Surprised nobody mentioned Leo Sayer who I think also lived on the
Shoreham houseboat. In the very early sixties, we used to go over to the Lady Jane
for an evening and also a pub in Southwick called The Lighthouse � both what they
called �hippie� pubs. I think about this time the �scene� seemed to die a death and
I moved over to Hastings where the pub music scene was still like the �old� days in
Brighton.

By John Winch (07/08/2015)

I have photos of J Upton from the �80s when he was working in Glasgow, Scotland,
and also some of his writing(s). I did some work with him, he was a life changing
dude, no doubt about that, and I am so sad re his passing. If any of his family
wish the aforementioned, please get in contact at mrstevengrimes300459@[Link].
Ta.

By Steven Grimes (14/01/2016)

Lucifer, Hi. I wrote a lengthy reply a few months back but it was lost when being
reviewed by B&H. So, I will keep it brief. I was homeless in London around 1970 and
knew a Lucifer and his mate Jerome. He had ginger hair, looked a bot Lennonesque
with his glasses and was a gifted hustler. I ended up in Brighton for a while and
slept very safe and comfortable under an upturned catamaran. I also visited Les
Cousins (you could sleep there) and saw Harper who sang Tombstone Blues in his set
and recognised him to be uptight. I knew Moxy a bit too. Anybody else around the
�Dilly & Square 68-71 too?
By Zed (19/01/2016)
Does finding this page bring back memories! I wonder if anyone remembers Steve, who
was one of the hippies living on Brighton Beach in the early �60s, probably �63?
He was Scottish and, although young, was missing a number of teeth. The last time I
saw him he was with all the hippies as they were going through Lewes on their way
to, well�who knows? I was his friend for a brief period time during the �60s and
I�ve always remembered him because he was so kind. He watched out for me when
others would have taken advantage of a naive kid.

By Jill Young (17/06/2016)

Probably he was on his way to Plumpton Blues Festival, about 1967 or �68. I
remember it, but not who was on. I was a tad too young!

By Peter Groves (19/06/2016)

Polly, Southover Street. You sent me an email but it got wiped off by mistake.
Roger. I come from Brighton and remember the 60s/70s very well.

By Roger Graham-Brown (22/06/2016)

Hello, I live on one of the house boats in Shoreham. I love the area�s history and
wonder if anyone on the site has any memories or photos. I would like to get
involved in a project to capture this history. We are having an event at Shoreham
Fort to capture oral histories, memories and photos on 10/11 September. My email
is ianmeriwoode@[Link] A friend of mine in her sixties who grew up on
Shoreham Beach told me yesterday her parents said she couldn�t go down to the
houseboats because of the �beatniks�.

By Ian Meriwoode (05/08/2016)

Does anybody remember the Sunday back in the late 50s when we pushed a piano from
Brighton to Haywards Heath, along London Road over Clayton Hill ( stopping off for
a cider) then onto H/Heath, finishing up at a jazz club above a pub. Happy days.
Sorry to hear of Ray Scroggins� departure.

By Tony Lago (31/10/2016)

Does any one remember Shep � he was a short chap with a beard and a shepherds crook
in the 1960s.

By Maurice (21/12/2016)
I remember Shep and his wife and son. Last saw him pushing a bike through Burgess
Hill. I would like to wish a Happy New Year to those on this site especially
Maurice, Yorkie, Marilyn and her husband scouse Jimmy.

By Elaine Edwards (31/12/2016)

A friend sent me a link to this site, does anyone remember my dad Pat Howell? I
remember him talking about pushing a piano, it is possible that he and my mum are
the couple in the foreground of the photo. If so he is the one with male-pattern
baldness, he was very friendly with Wizz Jones and often played guitar with Bernie
Cottam who played banjo. I also remember �blues� Jimmy or �boogie Jim as some
called him. My dad used to talk about the houseboat at Shoreham. I am old enough to
remember bunking off school and going to the Open Cafe and The Hungry Years. Many
familiar names here.

By Daniel Howell (01/01/2017)

Hi all, what a great photo! To those of you asking about Shep and to John Winch
who mentioned Laurie Poore: Shep was my stepdad. He was briefly married to my
mother Val Layzell (she married my dad, artist Bob Layzell) and she used to sing
and play guitar in coffee bars with her friends Sally, Laurie and George. Shep had
a son with my mum, my brother Arran. He ended up living on a caravan site for many
years in Wivelsfield and he passed away a few years ago. Sadly my mum Val died in a
car accident in 1990. My dad Bob is still going strong, painting his amazing sci-fi
art and smoking and drinking coffee! He was also known as Merlin way back in the
day. If anyone has any memories or photos of my mum in those days, I�d really like
to hear about them. I miss her so much! Feel free to email me on
ibeiamart@[Link].

By Shana Layzell (07/01/2017)

Happy New Year to all the team that makes this project workable,and Elaine for her
valid help keep the memories alive.

By Maurice (10/01/2017)
Interesting to read all these names but no mention of the Mocca coffee house,
California, the pop in or loads of other meeting places in the mid 60s. Anyone
there at that time and still alive?!

By Dave (Wej) Jones (25/01/2017)

In response to Dave (Wej) Jones, the places you mentioned wouldn�t have been
frequented by others on this site. Try another.

By Elaine Edwards (06/03/2017)

In response to Elaine�s somewhat curt response to Dave Jones, surely you should
have referred him to try other pages on this site, not try another site.

By John (08/03/2017)
Thanks John for your comment. I am not the David Jones who writes earlier in this
Site.
I worked in Brighton in the mid 60s in my teens. Most of my friends in those days
were the people who ran Brighton nightclubs like the �pop in�, or the many coffee
bars such as the �Mocca or California� the Stones, the Who etc sometimes visited.
Great times but my life has been very different for decades! But sometimes I wonder
about my long lost friends. Drifters most of us! Thanks again for the
consideration.

By Dave (Wej) Jonds (18/03/2017)

I shared a flat above the Mocca bar with a David Jones who hailed from Liverpool in
1965 and we were a couple of (those) people you mention. Not sure where you were
going with your comment but I can assure you that a lot of (those) people spent
time at the Mocca Bar, and a lot of noted people also showed up on the weekends.
Maybe you were not part of the so called in crowd (sorry about that) but please do
not paint everyone with the same brush. Best wishes anyway. Peter Miller.

By Peter Miller (21/03/2017)

My dad John Maskell sadly passed away on Sunday. He often talked about the Shoreham
barge days. He was known then as Jesus John and talked so fondly about the fun he
had and meeting of Rod and Long John Baldry.

By Becky Wrigley (30/03/2017)

Only just come across this. I did email you Roger Graham-Brown to say I remember
the Open Cafe and there was another vegetarian cafe in Trafalgar Street. I had a
room in The Mermaid for a good couple of years at the end of the �60s. Don�t
recognise any of names mentioned other than Howard. However, I knew a Dave The Hat
(rather than the other Daves mentioned).

By Neil Major (26/05/2017)

Don�t knock it, I sometimes used to get the chips for us chip butties for Mrs Smith
5p or 10p from that chip shop on West Street opposite the cinema.

Mrs Smith was a religious fanatic, waiting for some sort of world revival, a white
haired lady about 50, lived at Saltdean. She was a nurse/medic in the war. Spent
years talking to her, she said I used to haunt that place.
Said for years the pier was going to blow down in a storm.

I left Brighton 1975 but kept in touch for years after by letter and phone.

By Alan from Sheffield (14/07/2017)

Alan from Sheffield, do you remember any of the above?

By Elaine Edwards (27/07/2017)

l have not been on this site for a while but it�s great to read Pete Miller is
still about. Last saw you in Sweden and often wondered how you got on after we lost
touch. I hope you are still charming the ladies. Cheers

By Dave (wej) Jones (05/08/2017)

Elaine Edwards. Thank you for asking. Yes, I remember most of the characters named
above and by some miracle I have survived to draw my old age pension. I knew Monk,
used to have long red hair, later cut it short saying it was just a prop. He was
in the Kings and Queens with his mother once, about 1972. And later come into some
money, a couple of grand, big money in the 1970�s. He married Jan about 1973 and
had a son. They lived for a time at Peacehaven. I never knew Jan�s brother Hamish
although Mrs. Smith said I should have. Geordie, (Sandra Wilkinson from Durham?)
died accidentally ln 1974. She was buried at the top of Brighton Cemetery off
Lewes Road. The grave was unmarked last time I visited. Nugat (Brian Ilgunas) from
Fort William Scotland, who used to used to talk a lot, in a Scots accent was
partner to Dianne from Stamford Lincs. They lived at 5, St. Margaret�s place
behind the Hotel Metropole. They later got a council house, possibly Whitehawk. I
remember because I nearly broke my foot collecting scrap metal with him. This was
when I worked at The Imperial Hotel Hove in 1975. He was the only one that stood up
for Geordie when she was getting aggro off two fellers on the beach in 1971. Leo,
(Leonard Griggs), was often in prison in the winter, Pentonville. He was always
older than us, looked about 40. He broke his leg once, but still kept dossing.
Charlie, who ran Audrey�s cafe on Gloucester Road, said, �He never looks after his
own body.� but he once fed me, on the pretence that he wasn�t hungry himself.

By Alan from Sheffield (18/08/2017)

The church hall near the clock tower, which opened on bank holidays for dossers was
the Union Hall. And we all moved up there for the duration. Blues Jim (AKA
Harmonica Jim) was a generation older than us, about 40, and still living in the
rock and roll era. Indeed he once knew Little Richard. He said,�we were all
squares.� He was OK, you just had to, �leave him alone with his music.� In the
Union Hall there was a grand piano. Jim would play boogie on this piano for 72
hours, or Blueberry Hill, or sometimes Goodnight Irene. Because of Irene, who
used to go down the beach, and who died about 1972. The last time I saw her was in
Audrey�s cafe on Gloucester Road. Or, he played guitar on the beach, or harmonica.
It was like a soundtrack. Sometimes. still hear it.

By Alan from Sheffield (19/08/2017)

Alan, did you possess a priests frock? I was Monk�s sister in law and Hamish was my
ex. Did you find Geordie�s grave? I haven�t been since her funeral but her younger
sister got in touch with me to ask where it was. She was from Newcastle.

By Elaine Edwards (24/08/2017)

Re the comment about my dad (Mick Dancy), he is actually a champion bridge player
as opposed to an ordinary bridge player and his first love is still money.

By Joe Dancy (26/08/2017)

Elaine Edwards. No that�s not me. But I know who you are now, you and your sister
Janet, who I already knew, were talking to Mrs Smith and she introduced us.

By Alan from Sheffield (26/08/2017)

I wasn�t at Geordie�s funeral but I found the grave in 1974 without problems
because staff at the cemetery�s office showed me on a numbered map. These are
parish graves. From the Lewes Road entrance (opposite M&S) keep going ahead and
past a memorial with Rastrick (not sure) on it and follow the tarmac up the hill.
Seventy yards (about) below the crematorium you must find a white headstone marked
�JEFREY�. Go one grave up and seven across (I think). This should be Sandra�s
grave. You can also get there from Bear Road. Contrary to what others, ie; Stevie
(girl), and even Mrs Smith, said, there is no headstone. But it�s nice up there.
Better still, Brighton Corporation will locate the grave from their burial records,
but they might charge you. I hope this has been of some help.

By Alan from Sheffield (26/08/2017)

Alan, thanks for your help regarding Geordie, I�ll pass it on. Did you have a
nickname at all? as Janet and I are having elderly moments and can�t quite recall
your [Link] you on FaceBook

By Elaine Edwards (29/08/2017)

Elaine,thats [Link] has no headstone, but everybody at the time said there
was one.

By alan from sheffield (30/08/2017)

Didn�t have a nickname. Just Blonde Alan from Sheffield. Tall thin. Your sister
might just remember, Think 14 Bramber Ave. Peacehaven. 1974. It will come to you.
I met your mother once in Jolyons. I haven�t any photos of me from the period and
am not on facebook, but I must be in somebody�s memory somewhere.

By Alan from sheffield (30/08/2017)

David Jones.

Great to hear that you are also still about, I have often wondered how life has
treated you.I would love to get in touch and meet up on my next trip to the UK.I
have been in Vancouver Canada since [Link] in the 60s can they be beat?

By Peter Miller (31/08/2017)

Alan, you will be relieved that J does remember you now! Shared the same lodgings
in Bramber. I remember seeing you there once. All those stray cats if I remember
correctly.

By Elaine Edwards (02/09/2017)

Elaine. Yes. that�s right, all those cats. J was expecting a son at the time.
Monk had an ex Co-Op Austin van (petrol) and a trailer, I helped him collect scrap
motors.

By Alan from Sheffield (02/09/2017)

Pete Miller,

You being in Canada explains why I couldn�t trace you when I went back to Brighton
in early 70s. It had become a much tamer place by then. I have traveled much since
those days but never Canada you are obviously settled. I have been up in Carnoustie
in Scotland since early 70s and keep well, hopefully you also. If this Site allows
e-mail I am on abertayltd@[Link]. It would be good to catch up-whilst still
alive!

I just realized it�s 50 years this year since we were in Sweden .

Exciting times and great memories. Hope to visit Brighton in next few months. I
doubt much left of what I remember but really great to hear from someone who
remembers the pop in, Tudor bar and the many coffee bars of those days. Cheers,
Dave.

By Dave Jones (07/09/2017)

Dear Maurice, I�m talking to you now! I remember Shep. I left Brighton �68 or �69
and returned in the middle seventies. Shep had a room at the bottom of York Road
and when he left it, I inherited it (as far as I know, that�s the only credible way
of getting somewhere to live there). There was a sort of self-appointed caretaker
called Jessy Stoneham. It�s funny but thinking back on it, I miss him. I also
remember Ghost; I seem to remember Mrs. Smith telling me that he had been run over
on a motorway. The last I remember of Leo was when he was walking out of the door
of the above room in York Road with my sleeping bag saying of it, �This is mine
now, isn�t it?� The last I saw of any of these chaps was Durham Nick, who found me
one of my first jobs after leaving school. That was about ten or fifteen years ago.
He told me that he was now in the buisness of designing web sites � he was always a
technically clever person. Also, there was a rather elegant girl called Charlie. I
saw her about ten years ago with a young man who seemed to see me as a threat, to
which I can only say �those were the days�. I�m glad that people remember Irish
Bob, Cue, Ghost, Shep and Cowboy but I see no mention of Pedro, Scouse Terry,
Scottish Bob, Cherry, Pedro�s Jenny and Terry�s Jenny. I wonder why not, these were
really fine, fine people. I didn�t realize at the time but I do now.

By Kevin Evans (18/10/2017)

Kevin I do remember those names very well,I lived in the Mermaid on the sea front,I
did see ghost few years back in Lowestoft so he was alive then,do you remember Dave
Lucifer.

By Kevin (27/10/2017)
Kevin, I remember the people mentioned in your comments. Sadly Pedro died then
Jenny lost the baby.

By Elaine Edwards (28/10/2017)

Kevin did you have a nickname? I would like to know if we met in the 1960�s or
early 1970s.

By Maurice (29/10/2017)
Does anybody remember the Mermaid Hotel on the seafront? I had a room there with
Spike and Janet, Jeff, Paddy, Ghost, Dave Lucifer in the 1960s.

By Maurice owen (09/11/2017)

Maurice, have you come across Mary or Shoreham John?

By Elaine Edwards (23/12/2017)

I will get back to you on that one,long time ago I will contact Yorkie Elain,

By Maurice (30/12/2017)
Shanana � I think I remember you and your mum, did you use to live just down from
the Queens Park area when you were around 10? I remember Shep well, tin mugs of tea
in his caravan with him and Aran when I was a kid. I think we may of met again when
I was in my early twenties (1990�s) I certainly was in contact with Aran then
briefly. Fred (the Izzy) would certainly remember your Mum I�m sure, I will have to
ask him. Circe � sorry to hear about your dad John upton passing. I remember him
really fondly, we often popped in his studio (was it in kemp town?) as a kid and I
loved his energy and his work. I remember him praising one of my drawings once and
it felt like god himself had given it his seal of approval, lol. To all who replied
about my father Marcus � I tracked him down to Australia where he sadly died in
2006 but I did get in touch with two more of his �love children� as a result so my
family has grown! Thanks for the help.
By Maya (28/01/2018)
Just come across this site. I knew many of the people mentioned and was touched to
read Kevin Evans� kind words 27/10/17. I was married to Scouse Terry for many
years. We left Brighton for Bacup and moved to west Wales in the early 70s. Terry
became a successful illustrator of Welsh language books before he sadly died in
1995. We stayed good friends with Irish (Ginger) Bob and following Cathy�s passing,
Bob moved to Wales and we had 18 happy years together. Bob died in 2014. We visited
Mrs Smith in hospital a couple of days before she died. Also wanted to clarify a
comment from Marilyn 05/06/13. Cowboy�s son Stevie didn�t die from drugs. Following
a serious car accident in Wales, Stevie had to have his leg amputated. He died
sadly, following a mess up with the medication.

By Jenny (27/02/2018)
Hi Jenny, many years have passed since I last saw you and I am pleased you have had
a good life with two special men like Terry and Bob I have many memories of my time
in their company and also Pedro and many others. I am sorry about the wrong
information I gave about Cowboys son but that was what Jim and I were told. I was
very sorry to hear that Terry, Bob and Kathy have passed, I named my first daughter
after Cathy.

Hope you are well. I married scouse Jim and we have been married for 48 years now.

By Marilyn Jones (02/03/2018)

Nice to hear from you Marilyn. The years have certainly gone by, a bit scary as I
don�t feel any different, well not really! I think those early days in Brighton
were a very special time. It�s very sad, those that were lost along the way. I
suppose that�s just how it is. Keep thinking I should make a trip to Brighton one
of these days, not sure there is anyone of the old crowd left there. Glad you and
Jim are still together. Well done !

By Jenny (05/03/2018)
Jenny, sorry to read about Terry, Cathy and Bob. Also about Cowboy�s son. I was
friendly with Cowboy and Jenny and knew Stephen when they lived in Norfolk Terrace.
I thought Jenny had 2 children when she lived there.

By Elaine Edwards (05/03/2018)

Hi Jenny, if you do decide to come down this way it would be great to meet and talk
over old times. There is always a room here to stay but maybe you still have
relatives this way. My email is marilyn-jim@[Link]

By Marilyn Jones (07/03/2018)

Hi. I lived in the room opposite Cowboy and Jenny (although, knew her as Jean).
You�re right, Jamie is a big boy now, 50 years in September (same age as my
daughter). Also lived in Anna�s old room for a while, either before or after Roger
and Gerda, I can�t remember.

By Jenny (07/03/2018)
Yes she was Jenny when she first came to Brighton but used Jean when with Cowboy.
Do you remember John le Ferne and Paula and Nathan? They lived in a different house
further up. I was married to Hamish.

By Elaine Edwards (11/03/2018)

Hi Elaine. Sorry I don�t remember John, Paula or Nathan. I remember Hamish but
didn�t know him well.

By Jenny (19/03/2018)
John Mason. I remember the Cash brothers very well. Lived round the corner from me.
My friend Bina and I used to hang around the hippies beach 1963/64. A boy called
Kelly I recall.

By Francesca Da'Riff (28/03/2018)

Hi, I am Jamie Ilgunas son of Brian Ilgunas, Nugget, and Diana as mentioned by Alan
from Sheffield. My parents lived at St. Margaret�s Place and then Hervey Road,
Whitehawk and then at Hendon Street until around 1981. At that point my parents had
three children, me my brother and my sister. At around this point my Mum and Dad
split up and we moved to Peterborough, leaving my Dad there. My Mum is doing really
well but unfortunately about a year after we moved to Peterborough we stopped
seeing my Dad and have consequently lost touch with him. Should anybody know his
whereabouts it would be good to find out how he is doing. I remember Melba Smith
quite well even though I was only a small child. I will show my Mum this post, she
will be fascinated to see all the comments.

By Jamie Ilgunas (15/06/2018)

Jamie Ilgunas, I remember your dad well. Your mum may remember my ex, Hamish. I am
sorry I don�t know of your dad�s whereabouts now. We kept away from Brighton due to
my then husband�s addiction so lost touch with a lot of people.

By Elaine Edwards (16/06/2018)

Hi Elaine, thanks for the update. That is the reason my Mum and Dad split up and
consequently at the age of about 12 I told him to stay away. My Mum went through a
bad period of giving up and it was not helping by my Dad not doing so, or at least
not trying at the same period. My Mum got through it and is good now. I will tell
her I have been in touch with you.

By Jamie Ilgunas (18/06/2018)

Does anyone remember Jean Seacombe, from Worthing? She had red hair and was quite a
large girl. She may have been with her sister Angie and could have had a young
daughter with long dark hair?

By Jo (02/03/2019)
Joe, more info. What year were they in Brighton?

By Maurice Owen (15/05/2019)

Did anyone live at the Mermaid hotel 1960/1970s it was along the seafront.

By Maurice Owen (09/06/2019)

Is anyone out there from the �60s or�70s? It would be nice to hear from you even if
it�s a Hi.

By Maurice Owen (22/10/2019)

Can anyone tell me if Monk, who I hung out with in the �70s, is still alive? Fond
memories of hanging out at the bottom of the subway in little alcove there with
blond Alan from Sheffield, Geordie Nugget and Coventry Mick. Chris from
Littlehampton.

By Chris (25/10/2019)
Chris from Littlehampton, Monk died a few years ago in the Philippines.

By Elaine Edwards (31/10/2019)

Has anyone had any news of Mary who was around the arches circa 1968/69?

By Elaine Edwards (13/01/2020)

For all those ex 60s Brighton Hippies who are still with us I hope the New Year
will be good to them.

By Maurice Owen (15/01/2020)

Hi everybody. Just stumbled across this site. Always wanted to know if anybody was
still around from the 67/68 era. I was there those two years. Usually known as
Scouse Allan (there was another Scouse Allan, so people might get me mixed up with
the other one). Marilyn Jones, it was me that brought Jimmy to you. So happy you
are still together. I remember Mrs Smith as she wrote to me when I got back to
Liverpool. Does anybody remember Dublin who died in �69 I think? I can remember
Cowboy and many others from the Mermaid Hotel. We picked up boxes of crusts and a
tin of dripping from the cafe near the railway station and put them under the grill
in our room in the hotel. Happy memories.

By Allan Barrett (27/01/2020)

Jean (the bean?) was pregnant 1966-67. Ange (the mange?) was probably just a kid.
She could have lived on houseboat in Shoreham (where Donovan stayed ??)

By Jo (28/01/2020)
Yes I remember the crusts and dripping I was at the Mermaid at the time.

By Maurice (01/02/2020)
Spike and Janet (I think it was Janet ) lived above my flat. He used to go out
picking up fag ends. This was the Mermaid Hotel in the �60s.

By Maurice Owen (02/02/2020)

Who were the couple in the Mermaid Hotel in 1967, they were always in bed
especially when visitors were there? They had postcards all over the floor. I think
it was in one of the large back rooms.

By Allan Barrett (04/02/2020)

Maurice, Spike used to draw his stomach right in and called it his bat cave and
Janet plump? Lived near Preston Park around 69. They had a baby then.

By Elaine Edwards (07/02/2020)

Dear Maurice,
Sorry but we have had to delete your post. We are no longer allowing the posting of
requests to find third parties, as sharing information like this breaches their
privacy. We recommend you try social media websites if you want to track old
friends or neighbours.
Comments Editor

By Maurice Owen (12/02/2020)

Hi, I knew many of the people mentioned above. My time was 1966-70 (left Brighton
for two years and returned in 72, been here since) and I lived in the Mermaid
Hotel. A few shout outs� Marylin (& Margaret) I lived in the top front room of the
Mermaid with Nelson (from Perth) and Blonde Brian (from Barnet). Steve Knight � hi
Steve. Fran Da�Riff, there were about half a dozen girls who kept the beach scene
supplied with school milk! I was married to Bina for six years, she died in 1982. I
still have her school exercise book which lists about 50 names of people around the
�beat'(nik) scene � the latter a term applied to us, the former the self
description. Allan Barratt � remember you well, and also knew you by sight (because
of your exceedingly long hair) from the Winter Gardens dance hall Waterloo.
�Scouse� (as then known) Kelly

By John Kelly (16/02/2020)

Maurice, with reference to the editors comments re social media � are you on
facebook? Maybe start a group in relation to Brighton Hippies 1960�s. I don�t think
anyone on here is into facebook. One wouldn�t be able to find people because they
mostly had nicknames back then.

By Elaine Edwards (17/02/2020)

John Kelly, can�t believe you remember me from the Winter Gardens. That must have
been circa 1965. Good to see you still have a great memory. Hope you are well.
Apart from the Mermaid Hotel, I lived in St. Michael�s Place in the back room of a
basement flat at the top end of the road. The girl in the front room had a child,
she was a friend of Dublin. Does anybody know her name or what happened to her?

By Allan Barrett (21/02/2020)

Hi Allan, and also Kelly. Could not believe my eyes when I read both your posts.
Firstly Allan � Jimmy and I have been together 52 years in July when you came down
here with him, I first met you at Brighton Station with Scouse Brian Rossister the
year before when I was only 16. When you went back to a Liverpool you used to write
and you told me you had a friend who was just right for me, so it is you I have to
blame! Only joking! I remember you going home the second time but we have always
wondered what happened to you and we always remember you and also all the fun times
we had down by the beach. Are you still in Liverpool? We come up there at least
once a year as Jim has a big family there. Hope life has been kind to you and if
you feel like you want to drop us a line our email is Marilyn-jim@[Link]. I
think the couple you are referring to in the back room of the mermaid was Cathy and
Bruce (I named my first daughter after Cathy).

Hi Kelly � can�t believe you are still in this area and I have never bumped into
you, I remember seeing a wedding photo of you and Bina in the Argus, I am so sorry
she died so young, life can be so cruel. I remember Bina had a lovely friend who I
think was Val. I remember Blonde Brian fondly, Nelson, also weren�t you friendly
with Paul who was a policeman�s son and I think I heard he died. There was also
Joan or Geon who shared a room with Betty who went home to Wales to get married and
run off with another Brian. I have wonderful memories of my time then and will
never forget all the people and faces from that time. Lots of love to both of you,
Marilyn and Jimmy.

By Marilyn Jones (23/02/2020)

Marilyn, I�ve sent you an email. My email address starts with Sup and ends with
@[Link]. Thought you might think it�s something to get rid of or it could end up
in your Junk folder.

By Allan Barrett (25/02/2020)

Does anybody remember working at Newhaven docks in 67/68. Shifting all those boxes
of tomatoes etc? Standing in line waiting to get picked for work. Not sure how I
got there each day, must have been on the bus.

By Allan Barrett (25/02/2020)

Hi Marilyn � yes Paul also shared the top room in the Mermaid and died of a drugs
overdose in London in 1967. Geone / myself and Betty / Brian were �items� and we
followed them home to Swansea at one point. Except for Betty we all returned to
Brighton at different times. They had the back room on the top floor, and you were
right that Bruce and Kathy lived there but she didn�t have a baby at that point.
They separated and Bruce died in a drowning accident in Copenhagen Harbour round
about 1980. Kathy had a baby with Ginger Bob and they lived in a basement at the
top end of St Michaels Place before both going to live in her home town of
Darlington (Jenny above links). I left home in February 1966 with Brian Rossiter,
spending time in Manchester and Birmingham, but we arrived in Brighton in different
years (circumstances!). People followed one another down here, staying for variable
lengths of time. I followed Peter Rafferty and Cowboy (Kevin Grant) came later �
indeed with Brian Rossiter all four of us were at school together. Last thought �
this string had a lot of memories of Mrs Smith but I always found her to be a
religious obsessive and for that reason never had much time for her.

By John Kelly (25/02/2020)

John, I didn�t realise you knew Brian Rossiter. I stayed in his flat in Crosby for
a while in �67 before we made our way down to Brighton. Mrs Smith was indeed very
religious and a very kind person.
A girl who had absconded from somewhere made her way to Mrs Smith and was given
help with food etc. The police were tracking this girl and questioned Mrs Smith
about her involvement which she admitted to but saw no reason not to help her. She
was then charged with something like aiding and abetting an absconder. Dublin,
Cowboy and myself went to the court for support and she was fined. She refused to
pay the fine saying it was her Christian duty to help anyone who needed help.
Cowboy took it upon himself to go round collecting enough money to pay the fine,
using his hat of course. He paid the fine and that was the end of it.

By Allan Barrett (27/02/2020)

Allan, I shared a place very briefly in Victoria Road, Crosby with Brian. Although
we had left together in 1966 Brian came back around Easter time and I ended up in
Brighton, and then Paris after going Hop-picking. I returned home just before Xmas
66 and left for Brighton again in February 1967. I think Brian came down because
I�d gone on so much about how good it was. I knew Brian well through his brother
John � we were in the same class, and we all lived on the same estate.

By John Kelly (29/02/2020)

Ecclesiastes 12,
( in particular, the last two verses).

May The Lord bless you�

By Jo (06/03/2020)
Ex beatnik/hippy still living in brighton,as I walk past the alcove by subway only
yesterday my mind wanders to those days hanging out in alcove Melba Smith, Geordie,
Spud, Nugget, blonde Alan from Sheffield, Irene Monk list goes on and [Link] time
simple times [Link] I possessed was a duffle coat and sleeping bag miss you all
take care .
Littlehampton Chris.

By Chris (27/03/2020)
Chris from Littlehampton.
I remember you, duffel coat, long hair (who didn�t)
I put you up once
October 1972 at 4 Hollingdean Road.
then you got a tiny pad on St Michaels Place,
then somewhere better, Rock Gardens area I think. and you got respectable, started
working and that.
Its got to be the same feller. I used to hang round the subway with Mrs Smith. I
knew Geordie (girl) she beat me up once, sadly missed.
I was Sean�s mate.
I been stuck in this coal mining village since 1976

Blond Alan from Sheffield

By alan from sheffield (blonde alan) (05/04/2020)

Blues Jimmy�s name was Jim Daniels. He was a splendid full-on singer, harp and
piano basher. Jim certainly didn�t need a microphone. Got to know him well in the
early 70s. Nice bloke. Nice to know he�s still around.

By Nick Burdett (06/04/2020)

Hi Alan yes I remember you glad to know there are still some of us around
I remember you came back to a pad I was living in it was the size of a cupboard
just get a bed in [Link] told me you would rather sleep on the beach ha.I was sad
to hear that Monk died a while ago good mate of mine.I am still in Brighton and I
often walk past subway how diff it is there now,of course a guy was mentioning
blues jim on here.I saw him the other day he still rides his bike in his 80s
[Link] memories union hall and him on the piano take care mate.
By Littlehampton chris (07/04/2020)
Hello, just been told of this site my name was Geone and I think that is me and
Betty in pic Cue Kelly not sure but that is Bettys bag which she always carried
great memories of Mermaid Rupippa basketmakers cottage and thecombination and the
many other pubs and clubs.I also lived with Kathy at the mermaid later lived in
Brighton from 66 to 70 when my son Joe was born in the old hospital moved to mid
Wales with Pete,Kathy, Bob, Terry and Jenny with our babies in the 70s.

By Geo e (18/05/2020)
Hi Geone, long time�I think you were in Fulham last time we met. Not many of our
set from the Mermaid left � renewed contact with Jenny some years back, but that�s
about it. I was in touch with blonde Brian � he moved to Hamburg in the 70s � but
lost touch about 15 years back. I did try to look you up in the early 90s as was
down your way for work reasons � had an Uplands address, but no answer � should
have gone to the Slater�s house but didn�t think until later. Stayed in Brighton
till 2008 then �went rural, but still close by. b/w.

By (John) Kelly (19/05/2020)

Hi Kelly, had some great memories of our early days there, what a time of freedom
we had Betty died a few years ago she was living in Nottingham at the time I
remember us all meeting at that boat everyday I think we had just arrived 66 it was
a lot sadder for me by the 70s we lost a lot of good friends then I still want to
know what happened to Nelson !so sorry to hear abt Bina I remember her well she was
so pretty with her long blonde hair keep safe x

By Geone (21/05/2020)
Hi Geone, subsequent generations yawn a bit when we say the 60s were a great decade
to be young � but true! Nelson was last heard of in Ladroke Grove, 69/70ish � not
sure who told me that, possibly you?! Sorry to hear about Betty, she had been in
Notttingham for a long time as I recall. What about your other friend Sandy who
came down to B�ton? You also mention Pete � do you hear from him at all? x

By John Kelly (23/05/2020)

Hi Kelly, crazy times now! I moved back to London in the late 70s Pete and I split
up he@s on his 4th wife now! lol we stayed friends we have a lot of grandchildren
we share I moved back to to a village called Mumbles near Swansea in the late 90s,
Sandy is still around but sadly in a wheelchair now keep in touch, are u on fb?

By Geone (27/05/2020)
Hi Geone, my son visited Mumbles about three years back � he was at Uni� in Bristol
and visited a mate at Swansea Uni�.Ironic given that all the time I was in Swansea
I never got to the Gower at all! On f/b but account little used � no picture, let
me know if you can�t find me. x

By John Kelly (27/05/2020)

Hi Geone
You probably won�t remember me but I used to hang about with a girl called Margaret
and I had ginger hair.
I have very fond memories of you and Betty and I remember one of you used to wear a
fabulous leather sleeveless jacket and you got a job in Edwards and Hope in New
road by the Royal Pavillion.
I now live in Shoreham close to where the Ruppipa was.
Hope you are keeping safe
Lots of love
Marilyn

By Marilyn Jones (28/05/2020)

Hi Kelly so much time gone didn�t even know u had children Pete and I ended up with
four! best thing I ever did I�m Joni Cadwaladr on fb I tried to find u ! HI Marilyn
I do remember u that office was my first job I kept falling asleep at the
typewriter You used to meet me every fri pay day and we would go to Teds cafe for a
feed and on to the basketmakers no money left by the mon want to thank u I think
you used to feed us xxx.

By Geone (29/05/2020)
Hi Geone

Saw a picture of you on Facebook and you still have that lovely smiley face I
remember. Teds cafe! I haven�t thought of that in 50 years ??.
Loved the basket makers and the cheap scrumpy and can remember the police raiding
it and I didn�t even know what was going on, I was sitting on some barrels and
Ginger Bob came over and took my scrumpy and changed it for his orange as I was
under age, Margaret was in the ladies and the barman helped her climb over the
wall. I was always being threatened with being in need of care and protection, but
I don�t think I did anything wrong. I was very naive!
You sort of inherited us when you took that room on.
I am on Facebook but don�t really use it much, as my maiden name Marilyn de Lacy.
Keep well and safe
Marilyn xx

By Marilyn Jones (01/06/2020)

Hi Marilyn � I never understood how you and Margaret, as two mod girls, got to be
associated with all us scruffy beats who inhabited the Mermaid hotel? You both
seemed to be fairly constant presences around there but equally you obviously had
homes to go to! how did you come to be connected to the place?

By John Kelly (02/06/2020)

Hi Kelly,
We were in the cottage coffee bar in about August 1966 and we met up with Tony Le
Baron and Taffy Collins, we thought they were students and started to hang around
with them, I think they were under the boats, but before long we were introduced to
Pedro, Terry, Pete Smith, Ginger Bob who all shared the top single room in the
mermaid, next door there was Dec and Alan in another room, and it just sort of
happened, we were just accepted.
It was just a comfortable place to be with so much fun going on. No one seemed to
mind us just arriving. Bit of a cheek really.
I used to live a few streets away from Bina in York Villas, I believe she was in
Coventry street and she had a brother with glasses.
It is so special to me to hear from people who remember those wonderful days with
people who just accepted you for who you are.
I am 70 in August and can�t believe where those years have gone!
Take care and stay safe.

Marilyn

By Marlyn Jones (03/06/2020)

Hi to all the Brighton hippies. I believe I was in that photo, I had long blonde
hair and I was with my friend Jan (tall with dark hair). I used to hang out with
Chuck (real name Iain) and other Scottish guys, one was called Tex. I was called
�little Val� I was a pseudo hippy because my parents lived in Brighton but I left
home at 16 and moved in with a girl called Nicky Testa. My brother Tony Sinden was
a friend of John Upton, alas he died some years ago in Greece.
Lovely memories of the 60s.

By valerie ann sinden (01/08/2021)

re: Poetry on the Beach on the Fish Market Hard / Head & Freak Magazine / John
Upton
blimey, I used to hang around there at that time and briefly lived in St Michaels
Place in a garret at the top .. I remember the Open Studios next to the church on
the corner of St James/Rock Gardens, which used to be the SS Dole Office where John
(and Jeff Keen) worked. John went off to Irvine as artist in residence etc, I still
treasure a couple of art works by John.

By roy (10/04/2022)
David Stringer (Lucifer) has been mentioned a few times , also by me, and I am both
responding and requesting contact in the hope that he is the Lucifer I knew�..?
Thanks.

By zed (04/06/2022)
Re. Lucifer ��. Zed��. zeddum@[Link]

By zed (04/06/2022)
I went around with Dave and a few others in the 60�s. If you phone 07572431303 I
can update you. All the best.

By Maurice Owen (14/06/2022)

I wonder what Mrs Smith and the old dossers of the 60�s would think of Brighton now
so many changes, like to go back some day, since Mrs Smith gave out chips, prices
gone up a bit.

By Maurice Owen (14/06/2022)

The groups of youngsters who gathered on the beach near the �Guinness Clock�,
(remember that?) were known as Beatniks, not �Hippies�, which is a term which had
not yet been coined in the early 60s, correct me if I speak not true!
Johnny Winch has contributed many times to this blog. I knew him, but I met one of
his guitars before him, played by one of the shingle-based musicians. It was
ENORMOUS, the size of a Mexican guitarr�n. It had a triangular sound-hole. I met
Johnny at the Heart and Hand where he ran the Country and Gospel Club in the
upstairs room. One of the performers was a sweet old God-botherer with a sheaf of
huge tatty hymn-sheets which he displayed as he sang. By day he could be seen
wandering the town-centre preaching the Gospel loudly. A familiar figure, like the
violin/harp duo busking at the sea end of East Street. Wizz Jones was the guest on
one of the H&H sessions I attended and somewhere I still have a handwritten poster
with his name in felt-tip I kept as a souvenir. Even before the club started there
had been a regular Sunday-night casual gathering in the back-room of the main
downstairs bar. More of this later!
My Sunday routine went thus: I would hitch-hike to Brighton alone or with my
girlfriend P. and go to the Folk Club. The first venue was two flights up above
Fuller�s Tea Rooms in East Street. Here I saw the original Spinners from Liverpool
and a young flamenco guitarist called John Newman. I won�t reveal the famous name
he now goes under.
The Ballads and Blues Club as it was called,
then moved to the cellar of the Lorelei coffee bar in the Lanes, by the Bath pub.
The club was run by Clive Bennett, to this day a big-wig in the Folk scene. His co-
resident singer was Dick Richardson, a charismatic performer who was a huge
influence on me in my Folk days. In the stygian gloom I heard the songs of Gerry
Loughran and Royd (sic) Rivers, Judith Silver and other luminaries of the London
Folk scene. Local boy Gary Farr played the blues well as had Gerry L. I watched and
learned!
Between the club session ending and the H and H�s opening at 7 pm there was a
longish hiatus and it was then that I and others would gravitate to the beach in
search of a jam with any beatniks with guitars. One Sunday I met Rod Stewart who
played �Man of Constant Sorrow�, sang the words and blew plangent notes on the
harmonica held in a harness affair round his neck. Hindsight is deceptive, but I
really thought straight away that here was somebody really special! He had heard me
play a bit on my cheap �Big Timer� jumbo, and to my surprise handed me his much
better guitar � I remember it as a Hagstrom or similar Martin copy � and he sang
12-bar blues in E to my accompaniment blowing immaculate �mouth-harp�, as I learnt
to call it. We repaired to the H and H as 7 pm approached and on the long uphill
walk I learned that he was from north London, and a lot about Bob Dylan, his idol.
The back-room jam was electrifying. He finally left to get his train and we hoped
we�d play again, maybe next Sunday, weather permitting.
Next Sunday I decided to give the Lorelei a miss and went straight to the beach. As
I walked along the road-level I could see a crowd gathered round the beatniks�
area. Rod was wowing them with his playing. I waved to him and he caught sight of
me, shouting �Get down here quick, George!� I did so, put the strap of his guitar
round my neck and off we went! The crowd loved it and so did we! I could feel a
friendship starting. I still have my diary of that year in which he wrote his
details in pencil.
He and I both chose different musical roots, however, and he joined Long John
Baldry as second-string vocalist in the Hoochie Coochie Men, a breakaway band
formed from the Alexis Korner and Cyril Davies groups. I saw him perform twice at
the Chinese Jazz Club by the Palace Pier. We had a cordial drink and chat after
which we lost contact. I had to start my degree course which involved being away,
and I was getting interested in playing jazz rather than folk and blues, where the
�three-chord-trick� was now rather limiting. I did meet Johnny Winch again decades
later via his daughter Sally and my old girlfriend!
If this rigmarole hasn�t too boring I could add some more, some time, but not now!
Best wishes to the remaining old Brighton Beach wa�ve-watchers and respect to all
those who have gone to that great tarpaulin boat-cover in the sky!

By George John Henry (15/06/2022)

Two addenda to my previous blast:

First:
I�m pretty sure that the Johnny Winch-made huge guitar I refer to above was in the
possession of one Bernie. He was one-half of a street-singing duo called �Pat and
Bernie�. John W made more than one guitar but I imagine less than ten, but who
knows? Did any survive? John did, in these pages, reveal that they were made of
plywood, a material not held in high regard by luthiers, so maybe not!

Second, Chuck and Gideon were mentioned as members of the beatnik tertulia, and I
remembered the names though I can�t remember seeing them perform. I found a
recording of their one-hit-wonder 45 rpm on YouTube and I share it here: �The
Tender Touch�
[Link]
You�ll have to cut & paste it!
Where are they now? Where are any of us, come to that! Still here, at least, I
suppose! George.

By George John Henry (15/06/2022)

I think many of the old crowd were
happy being called hippies to go in line with the American hippies of the 1960s,the
word Hippies had been used in 1940,and also in 1952 so ends this sermon. Thank you
there will now be a collection for a crust of bread and tin of dripped from local
cafe.

By Maurice Owen (17/06/2022)

With regard to George�s post, an ageing and slightly potty bedsit neighbour on
Marine Parade in the early 70s didn�t quite know the terminology so called me a
�beachnick� which I thought rather appropriate. I used to sit in Ma�s cafe watching
the goings-on on the beach. Also frequented Uncle Bonnie�s Chinese Jazz Club.
Whatever happened to him?
Remember Bill Butler�s poetry readings on the Fishmarket Hard, the main objective
of which was to upset anyone within hearing distance over the age of 30?
Remember Studio 5 record shop in Meeting House Lane where little Gerry (Leo Sayer)
used to hang out?
Also lived in the same house as Clive Bennett in Hove in the mid-70s. Saw Seamus
Ennis and the Etchingham Steam Band at Clive�s Eastbourne folk club.
I could go on�.
Good to know there are still memories of what to me were magical days and
characters and that people are still interested. I find it quite cheering in a time
when I only have to walk out of my front door to encounter an essentially alien
world from the one I grew up in and loved.

By Nick Burdett (18/06/2022)

There are still a few beats,hippies,dosers,beatniks,around getting used to their
new life,recalling the days gone by of hardship and hunger,nothing changes.

By Maurice Owen (18/06/2022)

Hi, Nick Burdett! We shared a desk at Business Computers Limited in Portslade, ca.
1972. Good to know that you�re still in Brighton, and I do agree with your
observation that those were magical days.

I believe you played and sang in a caf� or wine bar in East Street? In what now
seems like another life, I too remember playing (with Derek Lockwood) at Clive
Bennett�s club in Eastbourne.

Now living in New Zealand, which is closer in spirit to the country of our youth
than England is today.

By Robin A. (20/06/2022)
Thanks for your comment Robin.
Nick.

By Nick Burdett (20/06/2022)

I used to hang out in the alcove by subway chips from Mrs Smith with Nugget,
Coventry Mick, Spud, Monk I could go on and on. Crazy days, stoned all day, all I
had was a sleeping bag and an old duffle coat. Blond Alan put me up for a while.

By Littlehampton chris (29/07/2022)

Just reading these memories I came across the question from Tony Largo back in 2016
re the piano push. I was part of that merry throng, 1959 I think and yes we did
push an upright piano to Haywards Heath. I wore a bowler hat picked up from one of
the second hand shops in the Lanes and my friend had a pith helmet. My parents were
horrified but then went and bought a photo that had appeared in the Argus � I
wonder if I still have it??. I have lots of fond memories from that time. Ballad
Tree, Running Horse etc. Wizz Jones, Johnny Winch (used to make guitars?) or was
that his brother. Music on the beach, Chinese Jazz Club. The barge at Shoreham. I
could go on but all this nostalgia makes me wish I had remained in Brighton.

By Barbara (nee Scott) (10/12/2022)

Is there anybody still out there?
I�m still going��., and it�s pretty damn�d cool.

By blond alan (17/09/2023)

Is anybody still alive that used to hang out
in the alcove by the subway AKA Mrs Smith chips etc? Monk ,Gordi, Coventry Mick,
Blonde Alan, Nugget. Great times, stoned all day, all I had was a duffel coat and a
sleeping bag things so diff on beach now bars and clubs
packed with people. Do you remember the Union Hall which was open on Bank Hols we
used to hang out in there?
Blues Jim on piano and harmonica. Glad you are still with us Blonde Alan.
By Littlehampton chris (11/10/2023)
I remember Jim Daniels. Played harmonica and piano and had a powerful gravelly
blues voice. Used to play at my folk and blues club early 70s.

By Nicholas Burdett (12/10/2023)

Blonde Alan, I�m still here and well,how many old hippies or dossers are about?like
to hear from them.

By Maurice owen (15/10/2023)

Coventry Mick, do you mean Leicester Mick, long dark hair and played guitar?

By Peter Groves (19/10/2023)

Yep memory hazy now ## Leicester Mick.

By Littlehampton chris (20/10/2023)

Coventry Mick had short hair no guitar.

By Elaine edwards (22/10/2023)

Yes I knew Coventry Mick who lived in Kemptown as did short haired girl geordie who
was

always round his place, used to score physeptone tabs off him,

By Littlehampton chris (23/10/2023)

I knew John le Fern well, used to hang out
with him.

By Littlehampton chris (24/10/2023)

I guess a load of people on this blog are no
longer with us. I find in my old age looking back
at the past a lot of cool memories on Brighton beach.
Also just travelling around the country with a sleeping
Bag and nothing else. Summer on beach in St Ives etc.
To all left on here stay cool, I miss you all.

By Littlehampton chris (25/10/2023)

Hi all. I�m still here. Now have a touring caravan and spending time visiting
places old and new. I stayed on a site in Glastonbury while the festival was on in
the summer. Going again next year at the same time. It�s such a chilled out place,
can�t wait to get back.

By Allan Barrett (05/11/2023)

Will try again I went to a cocktail bar in Brighton that
in the late 60s was called The [Link] current owner

was aware of the history and had pictures off it full of hippies on the wall from
that period,he was fascinated talking to me as I used to hang out all the time in
there and he hadn�t met anyone from that period.

Stay
Cool.

By Littlehampton chris (20/11/2023)

Chris, was that a coffee bar/cafe with free music playing in 67/68? If so, I went
there myself a number of times.

By Allan Barrett (21/11/2023)

Yes Alan,
The guy who owns it loved talking
to me about late 60s in there.

By Littlehampton chris (22/11/2023)

I�ve only just found this page whilst looking for details of the �Battle of
Brighton� between Mods and Rockers over Whit weekend 1964. My friend Jen and I
slept out near Black Rock on that Saturday night with a couple of Rockers (not on
bikes) and another mini-battle took place just round the corner from where we were
sheltering. Nobody found us thankfully!
I used to hitch down to Brighton from South London fairly regularly in from �63-
�65. I remember Sorrows (Pammie post 21.11.10, Steve Knight 29.9.14) and wrote a
story about him which I sent to a Teen Mag. (They didn�t print it � not �moon in
June� enough !) And I see from Phil Galpin�s post that Sorrows was in Lincoln. Well
blow me. So was I � on the same course as Phil, but a year ahead of him. Amazing
how all these things link up.
As to Moxy (Patricia�s post 5.6.15), he was on the front page of the old Observer
colour magazine back in 1960 something. I still have a copy somewhere. It was about
�hair� and had lots of photos of people I knew or recognised.
Yes there are still a fair few of the old Brighton crowd about who, despite the
expectations of our elders because of the long hair and apparent rebellion,
actually survived and thrived.

By Angela (now generally known as Angie) (23/01/2024)

Further to the post from Yorkie (05/07/20012)
The mural by John Upton on the wall leading to the Combination, (derelict at that
time, 71-73 ), The Beatles was on it.
I saw the bloke that wrote that book-
Vic Coughtry early to mid 70�s, this was at the Brighton Students Hostel up at 105,
Islingward Road as we went up there for a plate of bread and stew every Sunday. A
long uphill walk.
He put his head round the door from the back bedroom where he lived, when I was
talking to Sunshine Joe.
Tall Dave Hale (circa 1972) was from Nottingham.
Geordie (girl), beat me up in October 1972, in an empty posh house probably behind
Regency Square.
I consider it a privilege.
I often re-visit and re-live 70�s Brighton in my head to escape.

By blonde alan (18/04/2024)

Hi Alan, I still live in Brighton so when I walk by the subway and the little
alcove we used to hang out in on cold winter nights it was pitch dark down
[Link] Smith and her chips Monk Nugget, Coventry Mick, Geordi Girl andJohn l-
fern. Memories come flooding back I think you were hanging out there before me as I
was on the beach in St Ives round about 1970 I remember you putting me up I had a
bed sit the size of a cupboard. Great times. Have told my sons we hung out they
find it hard to believe cool times.

By Littlehampton chris (22/04/2024)

Very sad! I guess anyone from the 60�s crowd that
Hung out in the subway alcove on cold winters nights with
chips from Mrs Smith are no longer with us.
Unforgettable times!

By Littlehampton chris (07/06/2024)

On YouTube, there�s some grainy 1970 amateur 8mm cine film.
No sound, our phones take better video.
Look for �Brighton 1960�s�, and it should come up.
13 MINUTES into it, and it�s only 25 frames long, who is the woman with a guitar
sat on the subway steps?. I think I know.
It is 50+ years ago. and I wouldn�t recognise myself.
Also, out of focus and in the background at one point, a guy in black. It might
just be nuggat.

By blond Alan (11/06/2024)

Just came across a man alive bbc prog filmed in 1970.
Called the. Hippy trail it�s amazing throws me
right back to when I was hitching in Europe.
On you tube on tv I remember Nugget.

By Lillehampton chris (13/06/2024)

Just seen clip don�t recoganise the girl but a guy sitting
down I remember just can�t think of his name.
Quite amazing memories come flooding back.

By Littlehampton chris (14/06/2024)

Littlehampton Chris,
I would like to hear from you to talk about what I saw in 1974
e-mail me at john.h550@[Link]

blond Alan.

By alan hibbard (08/07/2024)

RE � That 1960�s You Tube Cine Film ( see 11/6/24).
The woman sitting on the subway steps singing with a guitar, is VAL , married Shep,
(both deceased).
I know we�re all in our 70s+ , but
Somebody must remember.

By blond alan (31/07/2024)

I remember Shep and Val, I went around with them Shep was always singing Lily the
pink by the Scaffold.

By Maurice Owen (10/08/2024)

Blond Alan- I remember Val, we were friends together with Mary. I last saw her just
after her eldest, son, was born and Val and Shep lived with her family. Her
daughter is on this site further back.

By Elaine Edwards (24/08/2024)

To Maya, thanks for the reply, I�m wondering if you�re mixing me up with Leilana?
She lived near Queen�s Park Tarner park area. I lived in Moulscoomb but visited her
a lot.
I�d love to connect with you, are you on Facebook?
Elaine, thanks for sending me the info on the video.
If anyone else can tell me any stories about my mum Valerie who used to sing or
Sally who had strawberry blonde hair and sang too.
I�d also love to know if anyone remembers Georgii, a black lady who knew my mum
when she used to hang out at St Michaels place. I hear there was a commune/big hang
out place there? Also I remember Bruno who was involved in housing and was part of
starting Brighton Housing Trust?
Thanks! ??

By Shana (25/08/2024)
Between 1986-7, I worked at a day centre for people with mental health problems
called the Kaye Centre situated in Bishop Hanningtons church hall in Holmes Avenue,
Hove. Every now and then, a silver haired gentleman named Jim, who rode a bicycle,
would pop in and play some mean boogie-woogie on the piano and then cycle off in to
the distance.
I thought he was great, if a little intense (like he had a lot going on inside his
head) when I spoke to him but he was always really cheerful. Could this be the same
�Blues Jimmy or Boogie Jim� mentioned?�Last time I saw him, he was pedaling
(spelling?) furiously along Church Road in Hove!

By ian (27/08/2024)
Blues Jim used to hang out in Brighton in the 70s the union hall that was by the
clock tower used to stay open all the bank holiday for dossers addicts etc, there
was a piano in there and Jim used to play boogi woofing was really good played
harmonica and guitar and sang the blues.
Was very talented I saw him about 5 years ago on his bike he was 80 then.

By Littlehampton chris (29/08/2024)

I knew Jim Daniels well. He was a terrific harmonica and piano player who played
some strident guitar but it was his full-on gravelly singing voice that got me. He
played a lot at my folk blues club in the early 70s.

Glad to hear he was still giving it his all at the grand old age of 80.

By Nick Burdett (02/09/2024)

Nugget said of Harmonica Jim.
�Leave him alone with his music and he�ll be OK�.
After 50 years I can still hear him playing that Grand Piano continuously over bank
holiday weekends in the Union Hall.
Blueberry Hill, Goodnight Irene.

Or, �My Grandfather�s Clock�.

He actually told me what he intended to do with this song.
His own arrangement on the guitar. He nailed it, but this is all you heard on the
beach, continuously for several months afterwards when he wasn�t playing blues on
harmonica.
Brilliant.

I first heard him play at Brighton Students� Hostel, at 105 Islingword road in
1971. I thought he was good then.
Wherever there was a piano.

By Alan from Sheffield (Blonde Alan) (08/09/2024)

Sadly I don�t think any of the guys I hung out
With by the subway on Brighton beach are around
RIP. Mrs Smith. And all the guys and chicks.

By Littlehampton chris (06/12/2024)

Littlehampton Chris, I�m sure there are a few you knew about. Further up this page
are Maurice and Yorkie who are still in touch with people.

Elaine

By Elaine Edwards (13/12/2024)

Still about and in good health,in contact with Yorkie. Yes we were down by the
subway with Mrs Smith and and her chips and bread.

By Maurice owen (23/12/2024)

Still going strong,rememberd Mr Smith with her chips and a loaf of bread,still in
contact with Yorkie.

By Maurice owen (23/12/2024)

Happy New Year and good health to all that are still about.

By Elaine Edwards (01/01/2025)

New years Greetings ..spent late spring early summer on the beach 1970 .Melba Smith
ever present.. she could spot the vulnerable from afar .I was friendly with Geordie
and many others mentioned on this page Yorkie ,Lucifer Dave, Chalkie ,Babs, Paul
the bear, with his Setter dog, Ranjit, Paddy, Jack and John from Medway, Little
Brian from Devon ,Leaves and Roy from Wooton Basset. I had a short lived bedsit in
Clarence sq Ivan and Ginger bob and others upstairs flat .We used the cottage as
opened early hours then went to a cafe used by post office as opened about 4am .
Found work at Bevendean Hospital ward orderly as had live in opportunity. Enjoy
2025.

By john wright (03/01/2025)

Really strange when walking past the little arch by the subway when that is all
there was on the beach apart from seafront pub by subway the rest of beach in
complete darkness. Now there are clubs and bars all along the arches have all
converted to bars. I recall sleeping in a broken Ito archway. My sons that are
grown up can�t comprehend that we all hang out in that alcove by subway I met my
first wife outside that alcove. Monk. Nugget. John le Fern, Coventry Mick. Jeordie
[Link]
[Link] to those memories. Jack karouck book on the road my bible. summer on
beach in St Ives Happy New Year to those of us still around.

By Littlehampton chris (09/01/2025)

RIP Wizz Jones ?

By Barbara York (16/05/2025)

1978, I was living in the back of a basement flat in Sussex Square- fantastic
landlord Dave used to do Sunday lunches for people. Boogie (blues) Jim used to come
& play & have a bath after lunch. One day I came back from walking on the beach
with my little son, and a big black man was sitting on the piano stool playing
guitar & singing. It was John Lee Hooker. He and Boogie Jim and a couple of others
stayed for hours. Sadly I lost touch with Dave the landlord who made stuff like
that happen. If anyone knows Dave, do get in touch- Deirdre.
Deenicholls1745@[Link]

By Deirdre Nicholls (28/05/2025)

The big black guy you mentioned was called
Desmond he hung out on the beach for a couple of years.

By Littlehampton chris (30/05/2025)

This beach is so great, we did a small hippie photoshoot there for Soul Flower and
it turned out great!

By [Link] (14/08/2025)
I think that by this time-1978- Desmond would unfortunately be dead.
Mrs Smith told me in 1977 on the beach that he had died some time previously.

By Alan from Sheffield (blond Alan) (13/10/2025)

Add a comment about this page
1960s
'Hippies' on the beach c1960s
A 'stamp out' at the Starlight
A 1960s photo gallery
A glimpse into the making of gay history
A place for trysts
A view from the West Pier
Beer and the Block
Do you remember the 'Pelican'
Drag racing on Madeira Drive
Evenings not to miss
Fashion for dudes
Favourite nights out
Hot dog stand
Invasion of the Mods
Junior Clerk in a new suit
Life on the beach
Memories of a Mod
Mod or Rocker?
Modettes in West Street
Mods and Rockers
Part-time hippy
Queen's visit to Brighton College
Reading the Riot Act
Sixties chick and a 'Bubble'
Sketches by Queenie Heath
The coffee bar scene
The dodgems
The ghost train and Saturday pictures
The perils of a new dress
The places to be
The sixties are a jumble for me
The Sombrero coffee bar
Were you there?
Winkle picker shoes and bum freezer suits
Your first record?
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