Login

Memories & An Hommage….

by Bernie Bell - 09:42 on 26 May 2025

 

 

Memories & An Hommage….

 

An old friend from University posted on his FB the tale of when he and two chums appeared on the telly.  With his permission, I’ll quote from that post…

 

“In February 1976, we were TV Folk Music stars. Here’s the invitation…..

 

 

Karen Hammond (Boycott), Ian Nicholls and I were auditioned for BBC Wales for their Folk telly programme. Before this we were Karen, Ian and Marko (KIM) but afterwards we renamed ourselves after the song they picked for us to perform – Prickety Bush. We each had one of these invites to gain entry where we met the other performers and we were backed by the Max Boyce musicians. They had great stories about Max on tour. It was our first time in a TV studio which was a converted church and quite nerve racking – the Producer gave Karen a large gin and tonic to get over any lurking nerves but we pulled it off, me and Karen doing the harmonies and “Fingers” Nicholls picking his way through his guitar part. It was an honour to meet Jake Thackray and we swapped our home town (Leeds) stories. We took a mini bus from Lampeter with our “fans” (mates) Happy days.”

 

This set me off remembering Jake Thackray, who I probably hadn’t thought of in years, and produced a series of snippets re. The Man Himself, as follows….

 

Karen….

 

“Happy days! I remember the "Expenses" /fees of £40 each coming in very handy...”

 

Me…

 

“40 quid was a lot of money then - especially when living on a Student Grant - remember them?  You met Jake Thackray - I'm impressed!”

 

Marko….

 

“So was I, he did Sister Josephine and The Bantam Cock and had us in tears of laughter. He enjoyed a pint or two..”

 

Me….

 

 “For young persons who might not know who we're talking about..... "

https://www.youtube.com/playlist...  

 

Karen….

 

“Have been a long time fan and have this too! Also his biography such an interesting man I remember being embarrassingly starstruck...his response....oh come and have a drink in the bar...prior to hasty exit stage left (and not on this occasion pursued by a bear ha ha) Humble and rather shy man, Brilliant “

 

Ian…

 

 “His major influence was George Brassens, who is also brilliant - guitar style instantly recognisable and some fantastic songs!”

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ob6gvhZU3j4

 

Me….

 

“I think he used to be on the telly reasonably regularly and I liked his wit and his delivery - if that’s the right way to put it! That laconic, lugubrious way of presenting sharp observations. The other, similar kind of person I liked was Leon Rosselson…

 

https://theorkneynews.scot/.../17/a-certain-kind-of-mindset/

 

And, as a comedian – Dave Allen.

 

PS - How could I forget...John Cooper-Clarke!

 

Here’s an old little snippet – Mike remembers, when he was young, going to see Jake Thackray in Tring – Mike says he was ‘enthralled’ by him and remembers him doing something about a criminal hiding in a convent, where he ‘shaved more than the other nuns did’. I can hear him saying that!”

 

Marko…

 

“Here's a link to Sister Josephine....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p8cIjqBFls "

 

Karen…

 

“Yes I remember that one too! Also the one about the troublesome wife threatening to haunt the husband "he buried her face downwards she'd a long way to go" 

 

Me….

 

There’s a monument in St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall. It’s in the form of a low arch, and the story is that the wife said she’d dance on the husband’s grave, so he gave instructions for his monument to be built in a way which would prevent her from doing so!”

 

 


I thought I’d spread the word to those who aren’t familiar with Jake Thackray or the other people of subtlety and wit who have been mentioned here!

 

PS.....

Marko then sent me a link to another song by Jake Thackray, commenting that he’d be in trouble if he sang it today!….

 

https://youtu.be/iWY_pxcRNPU?si=rYNGrN9TR-S9rU4n 

 

And my response was….

 

Eye-Candy

 

Listening to Jake Thackray

Singing about eye-candy

And asking myself

‘Where’s the harm?’

 

It wouldn’t do now

In these times of high-brow

Dislike of plain speaking

Tho’ it’s what we’re still thinking!

 

BB May ‘25

 


Add your comment

Your Name


Your Email (only if you are happy to have it on the site)


Your Comment - no HTML or weblinks


Enter this number in the box below and click Send - why?Unfortunately we have to do this to prevent the system being swamped by automated spam

 
Please note that whenever you submit something which may be publicly shown on a website you should take care not to make any statements which could be considered defamatory to any person or organisation.
Click for Map
sitemap | cookie policy | privacy policy | accessibility statement