I found myself at a gig the other month in East Grinstead, and with some time to spare beforehand, a peek inside the church seemed a good move.
Particularly as the door (not pictured, fyi) was open. Hooray!
I spy Rolls of Honour, poppies and wall plaques,…
…this one of particular interest. The Guinea Pig Club was established in 1941 as a support network for British aircrew who had suffered injury during the Second World War. The club magazine, ‘The Guinea Pig’ was, for the best part of thirty five years, edited by, and included cartoons and line drawings by, Standen (pictured), despite the serious burns to his hands and face received on 14th December 1941 when his Handley Page Hampden was involved in a collision with another Hampden while awaiting take off. Static electricity as the two planes’ wingtips touched ignited both bombers’ fuel and bomb loads – actually, mine loads for a mine-laying operation – but Standen managed to hurl himself to the ground just before the explosion. And yes, that’s the Guinea Pig Club crest I’ve chopped in half at the bottom of the photo.
Great War Roll of Honour,…
…and Second World War Roll of Honour.
Elsewhere, a second Great War Roll of Honour,…
…I think only the third Oddfellows one I’ve come across.
East Grinstead also has this rather impressive water tower,…
…and here’s a photo of the gig. There’s a TBN Gold Star on offer for anyone who can identify this lot. They have been around through seven decades, and many line-up changes, but this ain’t no tribute band……
Magic
I immediately recognised as fairport convention. I used to work at muswell Hill police ststion in the early 70’s and visited on more than one occasion the block of flats off Fortis Green named Fairport. I recall dave pegg was one of the inhabitants. Great group just round the corner fton the other great British institution namely the Kinks.
Very good Kevin! Peggy would certainly have been there. Strangely, over the years I have been to a lot of gigs – this was my 105th Fairport gig since ’73 – but I’ve never seen the Kinks. Fine band though. Gold Star on its way……..
Fairport Convention. I was there too. Our little Museum is worth a visit. It has a good display on “The Guinea Pigs.
Our little Museum is worth a visit. It has a good display on “The Guinea Pigs. Fairport. Great gig. I was there too.
They never let you down, do they? And I’ve seen them enough times to know (see my comment to Kevin above). Next one for me will be Cropredy in August. But it’s cool you were there too, so you definitely get a Gold Star. Thanks ever so for commenting, Carol.
Good to see the Oddfellows plaque
Agreed!
Thank you MF interesting post. Just been to Durham Cathedral nice chapel to Northumberland Fusilier well worth a visit if you haven’t been there. Afraid I didn’t know the group not a great follower of groups probably the only groups I could identify is the Beatles and Rolling Stones which shows my age
I don’t think I have ever visited Durham Cathedral – certainly not as an adult. And you can’t go too far wrong with the Beatles and the Stones………
Magic
To continue the fairport theme, I saw them at cropedy 2016 but must say my highlight was Steeleye Span. Maddy still has a super voice, especially when joined by the other silly sister Tabor.
I live in Cornwall not too far from Looe and recently discovered a brother and sister folk couple who sing of local places in looe. Yhry are called Jago and the Wych. You can listen to them on Spotify if you get the chance. Let me know what you think.
Regards Kevin
You may continue the Fairport theme as much as you wish, Kevin. I was there too in 2016, I’m a Cropredy regular. Was at the very first one in ’79. And I certainly bought a Steeleye album (Below the Salt) before my first Fairport album. Way back. Big June Tabor fan too. Checked Jago and the Wych on YouTube. Yeah, like it. Thanks for the tip. I was at a show at the Royal Albert Hall last Thursday – Jason Isbell & band if that means anything. And, coincidentally, I’m off to the Lizard later this week for some Cornish rest ‘n relaxation.
Magic
Enjoy the cornish air and don’t forget….Cream First.
Always!
Thanks for the post M, love visiting old churches when on holiday, if I can sneak away from the family for a bit. I especially seek out the plaques etc of remembrance, commemoration to those local men who gave their lives in both of the world wars, plus they also contain so much amazing architecture and history.
Couldn’t agree more, M.