22-02-2005

Welcome to my Web site!

We are here. It will carry on, the site that the whole of Leicester has been looking at. It's been advertised on Radio Leicester, promoted in the Leicester Mercury and even mentioned by Councillors, Politicians, Folk Singers and some people down the pub.

The site contains a history and memories of the Taylor family from small beginnings through to the present day or even tomorrow. It is called...........

"From Anstey and Birstall to Croydon via Belfast and beyond"

But more importantly the site contains a history of "THE COURIERS". Arguably Leicester's finest folk group, and their folk song club, held at various locations around the great City of Leicester. Who can forget Rex singing as only Rex could, and he is still singing. Jack's monologues and his rendition of "Jimmy Newman", the on and off stage banter, the guests who came, even when they were famous and the floor singers, without whom it would have all been very serious.

A splendid forward to "THE COURIERS" page has been written by Mr Jack Harris.

Thanks to Eddie Bates, I now have a wonderful portfolio of memorabilia from the Couriers era that will be published soon, with permission.

To "Wet your whistle", look at the photo page and put a name to the two young lads sitting on the fence.

Thank you for taking the time to visit this site. I hope you enjoy your stay and please feel free to send any comments or memories of "THE COURIERS" to the e-mail address. If you would like to advertise your folk club on this site, send details via the e-mail address.

I would also like to thank the many Artistes who have contributed pieces for "THE COURIERS" page. I know you all lead hectic lives and the fact that you have taken the time to respond to my "out of the blue" e-mails is most appreciated.

ADVERTISEMENTS AND NOTICES

ON A SAD NOTE THERE ARE A COUPLE OF OLD FRIENDS WHO HAVE PASSED ON. IN OCTOBER 2003 WE LOST TONY CAPSTICK.

Tony Capstick, who died aged 59, was a Yorkshire singer with a manic inventive streak that briefly made him a comedian of national standing. His guying of a celebrated "northern" television advertisement for Hovis bread, released as a double A-side single, Sheffield Grinder/Capstick Comes Home, reached number three in the charts in 1981. It was set to Dvorak's New World symphony, played by a local colliery band, Frickley Carlton Main.

The song's lyrics, about a lad returning from his first 72-hour shift at t'pit with his dad (a 43-mile walk in the snow wearing clothes made from sacks), played a small part in destroying tenacious misconceptions about the reality of northern life. He appeared in a number of TV sitcoms but sadly never fulfilled a potential that once had Billy Connolly calling him the funniest man he had ever met.

LAST YEAR WE SADLY PREMATURELY LOST AN OLD STALWART OF THE COURIERS AND OTHER CLUBS, I REFER OF COURSE TO THADEUS KAYE.

Thadeus was killed on the 27th January 2004 in an accident with his microlight aircraft.

ON A BRIGHTER NOTE:

Lyn Geddes returned to Leicester, to appear at the White House, Scraptoft Lane, together with Dave Kirk and Mark Newman on Friday 7th May. A number of old Couriers attended.

On Friday 24th September a Memorial Concert was held for Thad Kaye at the Y Theatre in Leicester. A great night was had by all, despite the sadness of the occasion with great performances by all concerned. It has been muted that this could become an annual event if there is enough support. Let me know what you think at the e-mail address. Also send me any photos of the gig to that address.

Now hoping to get back into writing more for this web site.

Tony C Taylor

Rex Brisland has a new club running at The Earl of Stamford in Birstall, Leicestershire at 8:00 pm on Wednesdays. Singers are welcome and some 'Name Guests' when possible. Further details from Rex on 0116 267 6154.

Harvey Andrews has a new CD out its called "Somewhere in the Stars" and is available from H Andrews, PO Box 57, Westbury, Shrewsbury SY5 9ZQ at a cost of £12.50, inclusive of postage, cheque payable to H Andrews. This CD will not be available from Harvey's website until sometime this year, but others that are available at the same price are:

Writer of Songs, Friends of Mine, 25 Years on the Road, The Margarita Collection, Snaps, The Journey and The Gift.

Check out the website www.harveyandrews.com
                    
 

Many Thanks

Tony C Taylor