Parry by Griffiths

Griff, whose photo this is, snapped this shot of John Parry "in classic pose" in 1984. Scrattin.

Griff

Another portrait today, this time from Dr Phillpotts's 1985 Crickley album of Griff and, on the right, Ian 'Mad Blodwen' Rogers. I don't think I know how he acquired that nickname ...

Limestone Brain?

Griff tells me that this photo represents "the 1983 award ceremony for 'limestone brain', which was was taken immediately after [he] was awarded the equally-laughable title (one assumes!) of Mister Crickley". Can anyone remember what qualities and behaviour were needed to earn the dubious-sounding honour of "limestone brain"? I fear it does not sound kind. L to R, Messrs. Dixon, Noakes, Phillpotts, Savage and someone whom I'm afraid I'm not sure I recognise.

Doppelgangers of the Month - October

--- Griff--- --- Ian Anderson---

--- Alan Ford --- --- Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall ---

Malc White has sent a couple of excellent spots for Doppelganger of the Month: "I see there are some celebrity lookalikes on the blog so I thought I'd contribute a couple of my own: Griff is now looking remarkably like Mr Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull fame. The second is Alan who is obviously Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall's evil twin."

Dinner at the Royal George, Birdlip, 3rd July 2009

A series taken by Malc White during the dinner at the Royal George, Birdlip on Friday, 3rd July 2009. Amongst those shown, in varying degrees of focus, working left to right and then top to bottom, are Joanne and Steve Vaughan, Bernie Dawson, Lydia Savage, Lucy Loveridge, Philip Dixon, Julian Parker, Richard Sanderson, Becky Sanderson, Penny Hart, Kate Dumycz, Richard Savage, Liz Williams, Trevor Jones, Paul Noakes, David Griffiths, Kate Gilbert, Rebecca Chambers, Terry Courtney, John Parry, and Jane Dineen.

Ah, the beds and mattresses ...

My thanks to Dr Griffiths for this heart-warming shot of some beds and mattresses, probably, from the absence of partitions, in the laundry opposite the mess hall. This was used as overspill accommodation when the dormitories and the tents were full. Taken, Griff thinks in 1984 or thereabouts. It brings back that luxurious feel, doesn't it?

Whoops! Misidentification by me of hut: Griff updates:"It was not the laundry but the hut right beside (left of as entering) the gate to [Ullenwood Camp], which was less noticeable as was surrounded by pine trees on 3 sides. The barred windows suggest it was originally used as a guardhouse or cooler but rumours (probably unfounded) persisted that it had been the mortuary of the USAAF hospital. It was an 'overflow' hut, which tended to be occupied once the other huts were full, usually by younger and less socially integrated males. I was in it in my first season in 1982 and also 1983 I think. It was less popular than the others because of its open plan, its generally run down, dark (because of the trees) unappealing and flyblown interior, and its distance from the 'brick shithouse'. There was a toilet cubicle inside the door, but it was a great mistake to use it because the flush was broken and it leaked badly."

There were less socially integrated males, Griff? Surely not?

Ullenwood, peaceful in the morning sunshine

From the angle of the shadows, this must have been taken early one morning, before too many people had crawled out of their pits: a further matutinal clue lies in the full milk crates on the step outside the kitchen entrance. This shot comes from the album of Mr Crickley 1983, better known to the public as Dr David Griffiths. Hope you can make it tomorrow, Griff.

Raw blondes for breakfast

A mephitic manuscript has fallen into Crickley Hill Man's hot little hands: it is the Crickley Hill Song 1984.  For those who are keen I publish the full version in the scanned collage above. 

To give you a flavour, the chorus runs "Singing: raw blondes for breakfast/Tack up if you will/You can spend a wasted summer/on the top of Crickley Hill."  

I think my favourite verse is "There was Dafydd and Mad Blodwen/From the Legion of the Damned/They confirmed all JP's stories/Which are fabled in this land."

 Or perhaps: "Katey up from Cheltenham/The flaxen-headed sylph/She inspired young men with many thoughts/But most of them were filth."

The authors of this delightful ditty appear to have been principally David Southwood and Julian Thompson with some assistance from Dr Cleal.  As I wasn't at Ullenwood much in 1984 I don't know whether there was ever a public performance.  What are you writing, Julian?  You know it will have been performed.  Few are spared a mention: Dave and Sonia Hollos, John Parry, Ros and Julie, The Famous Five (who were they?), Naughty Nicky, Biggles, Clyde, Griff, Noakesy, Kris the Chronicler, Simon the planner, Richard Savage, Bryn, Terry, Sarah Squealpig, Bernie Dawson and Richard Bradley.

9 diggers and a 5-barred gate ...

Jim Irvine sends this from 1983.  L to R: Simon Bacon, Jim ? (sadly killed shortly thereafter in a car accident) Sue Bird, ?, John Watterson, Mel ?, Malcolm White, Nina Stoyan, and Griff.  Was this taken just outside Ullenwood with Greenway Lane down to the left?

Update: John Watterson writes: "I don't think we know each other, but Jim Irvine sent you a photograph with me in (John Watterson).  I can help complete a couple of missing names: Sue Bird (now Sue Burrett), Denise (I think...she was friend of Melanie's) ?, John Watterson, Mel(anie) Grant  (now Melanie Thwaites). After all these years I'm still in close contact with Malcolm White, and hear from Sue and Mel every x-mas. The photograph brings back some wonderful memories, but Jim's death was a tragedy. The photograph was taken just outside Ullenwood with Greenway Lane down to the left."