Odds and Ends from the 1950's and before

Assorted other photographs and information about any local music acts from the beginning to 1959

Twilfit Follies of 1942 Donald Gilbert's Co - "The Ideals" - Southsea, from 'between the wars?' and an un-named concert party, but the photorapher was from Southsea. 22nd April 1913 -------------------5th Decmebre 1925. The Rinka Ivonora, Audrey Borwn School of Dancing, July 1946 The Scaleteers, this photo was taken at a Southsea Studio in 1902, but who were they? Galaxy Concert Party During and just after WW2, Len Tooke, was in Combined Forces Entertainment and ENSA. When he left, he formed the Galaxy Concert Party to entertain troups in the area, with his wife Audrey Barfoot.Their stage names were Lynn and Len Later. Len and Audrey are wearing the white bow ties. l4-3-1952 10-10-1952 19-3-1953 On ther left is Jack Hunt, then Len Merewood. Far right is Reg Aldridge, who was also manager at the Empress Ballroom. The lad is Graham Hunt, Jack was his father. Jack Hunt is second from right in the back row. Second from left in the mddle row is Reg Aldridge, and the lad is Gaham Hunt Drummer Alf Pink of the Dynamos reealls, that they all worked in Portsmouth Dockyard where Reg recruited them including my dad, Mr. Pink (Electrician), Blackie Stevens (Blacksmith), Jack Hunt (Graham s Dad), Alec Emery (Electrician) and others. The Frivolities My dad and Reg did that old monologue There s a one eyed yellow idle to the north of Katmandu with my dad reciting, with a pasty face and no personality, and Reg doing the actions whilst standing behind him. Jack Hunt played the piano and accompanied his son Graham who starred as a five year old drummer. Alec Emery was a singer with a powerful voice and he later chased a career as a solo singer. He did not make it but got a speaking part in the Jack Hawkins film The Cruel Sea . Blackie Stevens played the ukulele like George Formby and his wife called Scruffs was the wardrobe mistress backstage. Reg did everything and had each audience in fits when he hypnotised a few people and had them marching around the room selling newspapers at the top of their voices. He also sang I-tiddly-i-ti-island dressed as a Hawaiian girl in grass skirt, long blonde wig and a bra with two saucepan lids as the cups. It was hysterical as he would get hold of the knobs on the lids and pull them out in front of him and clap along with the song. We often watched them in the shows at the Unity Hall in Arundel Street. Reg got himself and about seven of the male members of the cast, including my dad, onto the Carroll Levis Discovery show on TV. They dressed in evening suits and were a male choir singing the Whippenpoof Song. Alas they did not win. Reg eventually left the Dockyard and became a holiday camp entertainer. Portsmouth Transport Concert Party before 1939 Musicians from branches of the Portsmouth Co-op Pimco The Odds and Ends Concert Party 7-3-1925 13-4-1925 Members of the 1925 Company, Miss Ena Cross, Miss Audrey Longman, Miss Lily Cross, Mr Robson, Mr Doe, Mr Candy, Mr Lenton, Miss Lenton, Mr Paul, Miss Ethel Croall piano. 30-6-1943 30-6-1943 30-8-1943 30-7-1943 3-9-1943 11-9-1943 27-9-1943 1-10-1943 2-10-1943 18-10-1943 16-11-1943 14-12-1943 30-12-1943 31-12-1943 18-2-1944 31-1-1947 Members of the 1940's Company, Mr Charles Turner and Mr Don Watts managers, Miss Winifred Henty of the Ministry of Information, accompanist and vocalist, Misses Ruby, Babs and Violet Clark dancers, Dot Clark comedian, Miss Nan Andreson a school teacher and additional accompanist, Mr Stan Lewis & Miss Joan Lewis two in harmony & Welsh singers of Irish songs, Miss Beryl May dancer, Cecelia Coleman soubrette & dancer, Will Elsom, Syd & Vi Way whistling accordionists, Grace Faro pianist vocalist, John Smith (USA), Eddie Hindes yodelling cowboy, Olive Hinde, Lawrence Howe the singing newsboy(father of Brian Howe of 'Bad Company'), Doris Targett accordion, Olive Hammerton, Benny Bennett, Ernie Watts, Janet Gleed, Mary Sutton, Edna Gleed, Arthur Gleed, Norman Scott RM, 'Alcra' magician. The Pompeydours The (Eastney) High Spots Concert party

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