FULL STEAM AHEAD Food, Booze, Bands & News - June/July 2010
Summer’s here and for fans of Real Ale, Peterborough’s Beer Festivals are just the ticket. While CAMRA’s annual event on the Embankment isn’t until the end of August, many pubs and venues are already offering drinkers the chance to taste quality locally
brewed beer in the open air. More information on events at The Hand & Heart, Ploughman and The Ostrich Inn, amongst others, can be found on page 7 – however one festival offering that little bit extra is Nene Valley Railway’s Beer Festival & Family Day.
Held at Wansford Station on June 12, the event offers a wide variety of ales, a chance to ride on Thomas the Tank Engine, stilt walkers, wandering minstrels and a traditional roundabout. Holders of an adult rover ticket, which offers unlimited travel on the Nene Valley Railway, will be given a voucher for a free pint, while a complimentary bus service - which operates along Oundle Road - is available at the times below:Beer Festival Bus Timetable Outward Brewery Tap 12:00 14:00 16:00 Cherry Tree 12:10 14:10 16:10 Ramblewood 12:15 14:15 16:15 Wansford 12:30 14:30 16:30 Return Wansford 13:30 15:30 17:30 Ramblewood 13:45 15:45 17:45 Cherry Tree 13:50 15:50 17:50 Brewery Tap 14:00 16:00 18:00
Thomas - in steam on June 12, Photo © Nene Valley Railway
Further information is available by visiting www.nvr.org.uk or calling 01780 784444.
made in peterborough Zengakuren The Black Marias /The Destructors Peterborough’s Punk Patriarchs unite for this split single. Featuring three tracks from each band, The Destructors offer us a re-working of their 1982 classic - Religion. Out June 28 2010
"Having seen The Black Marias live, I was keen to see if they could deliver the same punch through my stereo. I needn't have worried!" - punkoiuk "Prolific in their approach, The Destructors serve up angry, socially conscious Punk, hearkening back to a more old school, British style." - Pop Matters
IN-STORE, ONLINE, DOWNLOAD ON SALE IN HMV, CATHEDRAL SQUARE
BY MAIL ORDER FROM METALONROCK.TV OR AS A DOWNLOAD FROM iTUNES / 7DIGITAL
Pub Scrawl
Linton Kwesi Johnson, Photo © Penguin Books Pub poetry is alive, well and making a name for itself in Peterborough. The city’s former Poet Laureate, Cardinal Cox, explains how it’s nothing like the stuff you were forced to sit through at school. The origins of pub poetry can be found in the crossover of stand-up comedy and folk music - think Billy Connolly or Mike Harding in the early-70s, the dub poetry of Linton Kwesi Johnson in the mid-70s, punk poetry of Attila the Stockbroker in the late-70s and the hip-hop and contemporary spoken dance of acts such as The Streets. Locally the godfather of pub poetry
is Toby Woods, the city’s first Poet Laureate and resident at The Gaslight comedy club for many years. In the city there are two main poetry circles, Poets United and Pint of Poetry, though both have a proportion of members of the other. Poets United has been going for over 10 years, its members have had work published far and wide, with regular performances around the city and, earlier this year, at the Whittlesey Straw Bear Festival. They meet on the first Tuesday of the month and more information can be found by calling Viv on 01733 340560.
Pint of Poetry, Dash of Drama has been meeting at Charter’s for almost four years, earning itself a mention in the Good Pub Guide. Meeting on the second Wednesday of the month, Pint of Poetry can be emailed at pintofpoetry@gmail.com Speakeasy, who hold nights at the Brewery Tap and Mama Liz’s in Stamford, features the best of local acts and poets from across the country. Memorably popchartist Scroobius Pip headlined an evening in the first year and more information can be found at myspace.com/speakeasypoetry What would be in it for a publican to host an evening of poetry? Well, mid-week entertainment that the locals could join in with for a start and I expect most pubs have a couple of regulars who can pen a verse for the barmaid’s birthday and probably a bit more. The groups listed above have members who would enjoy the chance of meeting new listeners, buying a beer or two in new surroundings into the bargain. Who knows, perhaps a future Laureate of Peterborough is supping at a corner table? The John Clare Festival, held in Helpston July 9-11 features a variety of events celebrating the poet’s work. Both pubs in the village have a connection to Clare, in his early life he was potboy at the Bluebell, while his body rested in The Exeter Arms the night before his funeral. The following Saturday, July 17, sees the fifth T S Eliot festival held in Little Gidding near Huntingdon. Cardinal Cox is an enthusiastic amateur drinker who has been having his poetry and other writings printed in the small-press for over 25 years. He recently had the collection A Sack of Midnight published by Hilltop Press of Huddersfield.
Whatever happ to TV’s Tristram Anyone watching an old episode of Grange Hill can count former child actors still in the profession on the fingers of one hand. For every Todd Carty, there’s five Terry Sue Patts. A George & Mildred marathon on digital TV lead Simon Stabler to ask, whatever happened to Nicholas Bond Owen?
with a child model agency. Nick, “his little fat brother, who went everywhere with him and smiled a lot,” was also signed up. After the odd catalogue shoot, Nick was invited to audition for the part of Tristram at Thames Television. With “a huge amount of luck” and his mum teaching him how to pronounce his
as “such a warm person, a talented lady who was the star of the show.” During the show’s run Nick appeared as the catapult-wielding Kevin in, the poorly received, Confessions from a Holiday Camp. After George and Mildred, he appeared in Eric Sykes’ modern take on the silent movie, Rhubarb Rhubarb, followed by mini series The
Nicholas Bond Owen - Then & Now, Screenshots © (Left) Thames Television (Right) Chrysalis Entertainment George & Mildred, one of the most popular sitcoms of the 70s, starred Brian Murphy and Yootha Joyce. It relocated their Man About The House characters to the upmarket Hampton Wick. While Mildred tried to better herself, George, much to the dismay of posh neighbour Jeffrey Fourmile (Norman Eshley), remained his lazy slobbish self. Playing Jeffrey’s son, Tristram, was eight-year-old Nicholas Bond Owen. He got into acting by accident, when his older brother Matthew, a former bouncing baby competitor, signed up
lines, Nick won the part. With several Nicholas Owens on Equity’s books, a middle name was required. Nick’s mum gave two suggestions, while he was allowed to suggest a third. A 007 fan, Nick chose Bond, a name which “has haunted me ever since”. George and Mildred ran for five series, including a feature film where the Fourmiles made a brief appearance. Sadly, Yootha Joyce’s death ended the show. A spin off, with George coming to terms with life as a widower, never materialised. Nick remembers Yootha
Coral Island and Lassiter, a Tom Selleck crime romp set in the 50s. A part in an episode of Dramarama was bookended by roles in the BBC classic serials Oliver Twist and David Copperfield, his final television credit. Nick went to college to study for his Alevels, continuing in the occasional stage role until he was 25. A change of agents lead to a reduction in the amount of work he was being offered. Finding employment with Penguin Books he found himself in a position to turn down six months work at the RSC.
ARE pened WHERE THEY NOW? m? “That pretty much sealed my fate with the agent, I needed to change agents but I had quite a good job, was busy playing football and falling in love.” Nick spent 15 years at Penguin and its owners Pearson, working in everything from courier to operations manager. When his final contract expired he was told of a vacancy with “a new
Nicholas Bond Owen wasn’t the only young actor of the 70s and 80s to disappear from our screens. Here we track down another three actors who are no longer in the business. Lee MacDonald (Zammo in Grange Hill) A promising career as a boxer was cruelly scuppered when Lee was involved in a road traffic accident. Having worked as a locksmith’s assistant during recording breaks from Grange Hill, he decided to pursue this as a full-time career. Now aged 42, Lee is married, owns his own locksmith shop in Wallington, Surrey and makes the occasional TV appearance – most recently on BBC Children In Need’s Celebrity Scissorhands. Photo © BBC
Harriet Philpin (Mrs Secret Lemonade Drinker) While she guest starred in Doctor Who, The Sweeney and Blake’s 7, Harriet is better known as the wife of The Secret Lemonade Drinker in the R Whites adverts. Giving up acting to start a family in the early-80s, Harriet runs a textiles business - which specialises in reusing vintage materials - on Bere Island off the coast of Ireland. Screenshot © BBC and exciting media company in the city.” He applied and next thing he knew, he was distribution director at free business paper City AM. Despite the change in career, Nick has many happy memories of acting. “It’s not until you’re not acting anymore you realise how much you miss it. I travelled the world on the back of George & Mildred and was spoilt rotten by everyone involved. “My only gripe was being stuck in a rehearsal room on a Saturday morning when I wanted to be outside playing football.”
Keith Jayne (Stig of the Dump) Fed-up with being typecast, Keith returned to college in order to study finance and investment - a move that he describes as “one of my better decisions.” Now running a financial services business in Truro, Keith has been in contact with an agent and is considering a return to acting. Find out more about Keith in the next issue of Rhythm & Booze. Screenshot © Thames Television
R EVIEWS The Mark 21st Century (two-track digital download) ***** Marked Man Records - Released May 24 www.last.fm/music/theMark Previously heard on This Is Peterborough Too, The Mark’s debut single contains the tracks 21st Century and 42nd Nervous Breakdown. Opening with a jangly guitar riff, the title-track bursts into life with a powerful rhythm section. Bristling with an energy reminiscent of The Wildhearts, if they sang in their own accents, the only downside is the amount of breakdowns and Smiths-esque stop/starts that litter the track. Thankfully the band make up for it with 42nd Nervous Breakdown, a fast paced Rockabilly number that would give the Stray Cats a run for their money. The Destructors Politika (12-track CD album) ***** Rowdy Farrago Records – Released April 7 www.destructors.co.uk
itable Scuzz Punk style. While this release may be a little heavy for some people’s palates, the Europhobes amongst you will love their tourettes “tribute” to the EU. Points are, however, deducted for a cover of Labour Party by The Now. With the original being so good, any cover automatically sounds like an insult. The Candle Thieves Church Street - St. John the Baptist, 01/05/10 ***** Viewpoint: front right hand side of the nave, seated Despite a penchant for toy instruments and NHS glasses, The Candle Thieves are a world away from the Belle & Sebastian tweeness that their image suggests. In order to play every venue possible, from kitchens to back gardens, the band’s lunchtime gig took place in a church that appears to be “bigger on the inside than out”. Even though the audience suffered from the arse-numbing effect of the pews, The Candle Thieves - with their sprinkling of summertime pop - were able to keep everyone spellbound. Judging by this performance, regardless of how they acquired their illuminations, this is one Peterborough band that is going to shine brightly. Chimichanga 6 Church Street, Peterborough PE1 1XB 01733 315015 *****
From the over-productive mind of Allen Adams, comes The Destructors’ take on the long drawn out process that was this year’s General Election. Opening with To Vote or Not To Vote, the album features a mix of covers and originals, delivered in the band’s im-
The Prezzo group seems to have an obsession with taking over Pe-
terborough’s pubs. First their eponymous pizza restaurant opened at The Alderman and now their Chimichanga brand has taken over the former Lion/Verve. The menu contains standard Tex Mex fare of nachos, fajitas and ribs, with lighter options of crab cakes, calamari and salads. While any refit needs to be paid for, much of the menu seems a little pricey for the average lunchtime althought it’s ideally placed for an evening meal. Satisdiction Ammon Shea ***** Penguin, £9.99 ISBN 978-0-141-04025-7
© Alexandra Horrowitz For most of us, a dictionary is a valuable resource - either when we’re unsure of a word or fancy looking up profanities for a bit of a laugh. Ammon Shea, on the other hand, believes that dictionaries are something to read from cover to cover. Satisdiction explains what it’s like to spend a small fortune on, and to read all 21,730 pages of, the Oxford English Dictionary. While Shea comes across like the Rain Man when he reminisces on his obsession, he more than makes up for it by selecting a series of words that exist in the English language few of us will ever use.
LISTINGS
The Cellar Bar, Thorpe Road Peterborough, PE3 6JQ 07775 841239
June 3rd - Lloyd Watson/Rex Gates/Murray Hockridge 4th - The Vow 5th - Mick Davison & Friends 6th – BBQ + Feet To The Fire 10th – DJ Mr Whippy 11th - Proto Inferno 12th - Blues After Midnight 13th - BBQ + Jeremy Watson Trio 17th - Lloyd Watson solo 18th - Open Mic session 19th - The Mark/Jambo Reign 20th – BBQ – band TBC 24th - Second Drove 25th - Richard Groom & Friends 26th - Murray Hockridge & Dave Kilminster 27th – BBQ – band TBC July 1st - Lee Major 2nd - The Pulse 3rd - Peterborough Punk Club 4th - BBQ + The Contrast 8th - Ken Wynne 9th – Quest 10th – Frankly My Dear 11th – BBQ + Jeremy Watson Trio 15th – Lloyd, Rex & Murray 16th - Open Mic 17th - Taking Care of Business 18th – BBQ - band TBC 22nd - Jeremy Watson and Helen Burnett jazz duo 23rd - Lloyd Watson (full band) 24th – Retrolux 25th - BBQ -band TBC 29th - Lloyd, Rex & Murray 30th – Siren 31st – TBC Mondays – Quiz Night Tuesdays – Karaoke (£2 a pint) Wednesdays(June) - Darts (July) – Chill Out Night BBQs start at 17:00, costs £9 each (includes a free pint and unlimited visits) - band on at 19:00 All events start at 20:30 unless
otherwise stated.
The Cherry Tree, Oundle Road Peterborough, PE2 9PB 01733 703495 June 4th - Soul Weaver 5th - Porky Pig 11th - Aladdinsane 12th - England v USA (19:30) 18th - England v Algeria (19:30) 19th - Riff Raff 23rd - England v Slovenia (15:00) 24th - Open Mic Night (20:00) 25th - Black Rose 26th - Retrolux All events start at 21:00 unless otherwise stated. Nene Valley Railway, Wansford Station, Stibbington, PE8 6LR 01780 784444 June 12th - Beer Festival & Family Day (Further information on front page) 19th - Steamin’ Blues - (Tickets £18 in advance by calling the number above) The Ostrich Inn, 17 North Street Peterborough, PE1 2RA 01733 752255 June 4th - Porky Pig 5th - Circa ‘73 11th - Lloyd Watson Band 12th - Les Woods Band 13th - The Malingers (16:00-18:00) 18th - White Spirit 19th - Colin Smith – Unplugged 20th - Pennyless (16:00-18:00) 25th - Gin House 26th - Electric Warriors 27th - Retrolux (16:00-18:00) July 2nd - 101 Proof 3rd – Leon 4th – TBA 8th – 11th Beer Festival 8th – Mighty Quinn
9th - Children of the Revolution 10th – Frankly My Dear 11th – Ian Graham & Kat Moore (16:00-18:00)
16th – Sell Out 17th – Retrolux 18th – TBA 23rd – Daffy & The Alien 24th – Mighty Quinn 25th – Lloyd Watson Band 30th – Citizen Smith 31st – Storm Tuesdays – Poker (19:30) Wednesdays - Quiz night (20:30) Thursdays – Karaoke (20:00) Sunday Afternoons – BBQ (weather permitting) All events start at 21:00 unless otherwise stated. Hand & Heart, Highbury Street Peterborough PE1 3BE 01733 564653 1st - 4th July - Beer Festival Ploughman, Staniland Way Werrington, PE4 6NA 01733 573594 2nd - 4th July -Beer Festival The Solstice, Northminster Road Peterborough, PE1 1YN 01733 560231 10th June - The Contrast The Westwood Hotel, Mayor’s Walk, Peterborough, PE3 6EY June 12th - Loyd Watson 19th - Filthy Lucre 26th - Bikers Bash – (12:00 - 0:00) 16th & 31st July – Lloyd Watson All details correct at time of press, please confirm with venue to avoid disappointment.
Rhythm & Booze, Issue 2 – June/July 2010. All material, unless otherwise stated, © Simon Stabler Please send any letters, submissions, material for review or gig listings to simonstabler@aol.com by 15th July
BETWEEN THE WARS During the inter-war years, Peterborough was seen a “go ahead” city in the local press. The decades that followed the Great War saw the construction of new shops, houses and amenities - including The Lido, Town Bridge, Wentworth Street Telephone Exchange and the Town Hall. Local historian Steve Williams uncovers a time when landlords would have welcomed a smoking ban.
tions - saying, “What we should aim at more than anything else is the improvement of licensed premises and it should be our aim to make them into really comfortable houses of refreshment, and not merely drinking shops.” He could have easily have been talking about The George & Dragon, Cumbergate – described by the Chief Constable as “an old house, the rooms being low and badly ventilated.” Work had al-
If you have not yet acquainted yourself with the super luxury of the Lime Tree Hotel, Mr Poole offers you a hearty invitation to come and investigate the sociability and infinitely superior environment. A special branch of the hotel’s accommodation is an attractive service offered to parties for teas and light refreshments (from 1/- a head) in the outdoor pavilion.
The original Paul Pry, Lincoln Road The 1930s saw many improvements to people’s lives, including better standards of living and the introduction of paid holidays. Slum clearances, assisted by Government subsidy, combined with affordable loans – saw an increase in private housing. In Peterborough, new estates sprang up in Paston, Stanground and the eastern part of the city, while a rebuilding programme of public houses – making them appeal to members of a modern, more sober society – began in earnest. Brigadier General Strong, of the Peterborough Licensing Bench, agreed with the brewers aspira-
led to the pub closing with no chance of relocation. This wasn’t the only pub to disappear from the city during this time. However, The Greyhound, Crown, Paul Pry and Royal Oak, all on Lincoln Road, were joined by The Fountain, Hand & Heart and The Star - by being completely rebuilt. The Northfields, The Blue Peter and The Lime Tree were brand new pubs, built in areas that had seen the spread of housing estates, with The Lime Tree, Walton – beneficiary of the Boat, Bridge Street’s relinquished licence – being promoted by the brewery as a beacon of civility, as this advert testifies:-
ready been carried out to improve the bar, however this had proved unsuccessful with two licensees resigning due to the suffocating effect of tobacco smoke. Trade had already suffered at the pub, due to uncertainty about its future – thanks in part to the success of the newly rebuilt White Lion, less than 100 yards away. Mowbray & Co, the Grantham based brewer behind The George & Dragon, had planned to build a replacement pub on Westfield Road. While Mr Clipstone, the licensee, and his customers were in favour of a move – objections by the management of Baker Perkins,
With its spacious gardens, tea pavilion with veranda, children’s sandpit, swings, fountain and a goldfish pool, The Lime Tree was certainly a great improvement on the George & Dragon. Steve Williams is an authority on the history of Peterborough’s pubs and conducts a series of historical tours around the city. His website, which contains a weekly quiz, campaign information and the latest in pub and festival news, can be found at:www.peterboroughpubs.co.uk