Dirty Stops Outs - Coventry in the 1970's - Ruth Cherrington

A recently launched book titled ‘Dirty Stop Outs 1970's Coventry’ is currently available from outlets like Coventry HMV shop, Waterstones and Amazon. And a really enjoyable read it is too.

The book, authored by Dr Ruth Cherrington features many of the pictures and information from these Hobo - Coventry Music Sites, including the Coventry Arts Umbrella Club along with memories from some of the people who were there and frequented the pubs, clubs, and music and dance venues in the city.

Available for Amazon UK HERE

Ruth Cherrington with the new book at Coventry Music Museum 2017.

Read a review of the book by Pete Clemons HERE

Dirty Stop Outs - Coventry Music and Entertainments in the 70'son display at Coventry HMV

John Bo Bargent (a co-founder of Hobo magazine) at the Waterstones book launch with both a copy of the new book and a copy of Hobo magazine from 1974.

A page in the book featuring Trev and Bo with their magazine Hobo.

Sound bites from the Umbrella programmes 60's and 70's

These are just some random entries in various Umbrella programmes or news sheets joted down the other week while visiting Coventry History centre and looking their Umbrella archives.

Programme from 1950's.

Jazz, music, bridge, art and craft, drama.

Programme 1966

Folksinging - A group of folksingers led by Barry Skinner performing in the club on Monday evenings from January to July 1966.

Programme 1967

Jazz bands.

January 1967 - Folk Tuesday 26th January 8.30.At last live folk music in the club. Now's your chance to hear again those wonderful old songs you learnt on your Granny's knee - Arranged by Roy Mitchell.

Programme 1968

June 18th 1967 - Folk. Roy Mitchell Group.

Martin Nobel Group - Jazz

Exhibitions,Social - party, films, lectures, poetry readings, Arts Council tour, One act play, recital - 

The Voice of Pop - Terry Watson - explores the links between classical and popular music.

Programme 1970

Cliff Cowling Friday night music nights (jazz mainly) taken over by Al Docker, assisted by Trev Teasdel on the door. Cliff Cowling said he could not organise the Friday night band sessions anymore.

Bands - White Heat, Joy Hyman, Modern Jazz Symbols, Whistler, Rod Felton, Cliff Cowling, Children, Crystal Ship, Mick Green Blues Band, Nack ed en, Cat's Grave (Neol Davies band) and Mead - also Neol Davies band, Chris Jones Aggression.

April - Whistler - band practices.

May 1970 - Friday band night - Postcard.

June 1970 - Folk Club - Brian Rogers? and John Lave? Saturday nights. People from all over the Midlands come.

Friday July 1970 - Trad B Jefferson and April  and next session in July - Asgard played.

August 1970 - Steve Tayton and his Jazz quartet.

Fri August 14th Vic's Heavy Rock Jam Session. Organised by Al Docker and led by Neol Davies (later of Selecter). With many local musicians associated with the Umbrella.

Friday August 21st - April (a Contemporary folk outfit led by Ron Lawrence) and Tea and Symphony (Birmingham progressive band).

Bands wishing to play at the Umbrella should contact Al Docker.

New members included Tes Walker, Mick Cuttifoot, Lance Goodey, Sally Birch,Jenny Bowden, Doug Deakin, Pete Webb, Malvin Preece, John Scott, Jim Porter.  (Some of these were in the Umbrella before this time.Either renewed membership or formally joined - some of course were new)

September 1970 - Friday 18th - band night Ghost - (A Birmingham band) and Asgard.

Contemporary style.

Programme 1971

Heron played 19th October. London based group.

New Members 1971 included - Janice Coombs, Janice Gage, Rosemary Jones, Charles Bullen, Andrew Court, Nick Day. (Some had been to the Umbrella before formally joining.)

Secretary of the Programme committee - Lindy Watson -members of the committee - Esther Breakwell, Jim Ashwell, Maggie Heath, John Pinder, Gaynor Penton. Terry Watson treasurer. Barry Bowerman excutive committee.

Live music May 1971 - Tsar - Al Docker's band with Atom Disco - Al and Steve Varney. "A freaky night for anyone who wants to listen to some good sounds!"

Poetry and Folk April 1971 - Toadstool - John Brown acoustic band.

Don't Pick a Flower - John Leopold acoustic band. Poetry and folk, contemporary and own songs. May 1971.

18th May Roger Williamson - Poetry and Folk.

Programme 1972

Lanchester Polytech Arts Fest - Jan / Feb - Umbrella Poets 28th Jan / 4th Feb at the Colin Campbell

Liz Lovatt Poetry and Folk nights Sat 1st April 1972.


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August / September 1973 - meeting at Tudor House. Hobo - Coventry Music and Arts Magazine co founded by Trev Teasdel and John Bo Bargent request use of the Umbrella's duplicator to produce an issue of Hobo magazine. (Bottom of this sheet.)

June 1972 - top item below - Humpoesic Happening convened by Trev Teasdel, experimental folk and poetry session.

Umbrella Poets at the Lanchester Arts Festival - Colin Campbell 1972

August programme 1971 - Vic's Heavy Rock Jam Session.

Programme sheet 1966

Photos from the Umbrella Club Archives

Called into the History Centre in Coventry recently while down in Coventry and these photos are posted with kind permission of the History Centre. Mostly from the late 50's or early 60's. If anyone can throw any light on these early photos, please comment.

Ron Morris Pottery 1960

Have received an email from Megan Walden (Roberts) regarding the above photo and the one below - 
 "The lady in the red dress who was a friend of mine at the time. Name, Valerie Jones, art teacher, talented artist and fabric designer. Would love to know where she is these days. Loved my days doing all sorts on the committee."

I think this is leading light Terry Watson - no idea who the lady is.

This is Jean Gough with Mr and Mrs Sutherland. It looks like Little Park street premises.

The Umbrella Club at Little Park Street 1950's-

Enroute to the Police Station.

In the 60's,the Umbrella apparently help Miss Umbrella heats - this is just one of the photos held in the Umbrella archives in the Coventry History Centre.

A young looking Terence Watson

In this photo - Geoffrey Sutherland,Arthur King, Norman Reader and poet John Hewitt.

Occasion of the Julian Orchestra at Little Park Street.

Harry Secombe at the opening of the Umbrella 1955

"Long Live the Umbrella"

A H Marshall - early President of the Umbrella 1957

Josie Heath - Club Member

Don Lindon - one of those instrumental in creating the Umbrella Club in 1955 and Chairman of Jazz.

Coventry Film Production Unit 1960- Three Films.

On a recent visit back to Coventry I squeezed in a bit of time to visit the Coventry History centre with a view to look at their archives for the Coventry Arts Umbrella Club. Almost immediately I met Alan Von Wijgerden, a Coventry photographer and film maker.

Alan kindly referred me to three videos on his youtube. The films were made in 1960 by Coventry Film Production Unit which I understand were based at the Umbrella. If anyone can provide further information on these films or the production company, please get in contact or leave a comment.

The first film is called - A Visit to the Dentist

Alan says - ' A film made by Coventry Film Production Unit. black and white, circa 1960 and silent. The films were bought in Coventry Market as part of a box of old films. John Allibone seems to be one of the key players. If anyone has any information about him or the unit I'll be very interested.'

All's Fair in Love and War - 1960

Featuring - Zena Brandwick, Patricia Dalton, Peter Martin, with Eric Smith, June Sheffield, Martin Lovell. Photographed by John Archer Hall, assistant cameraman Martin Lovell, story and production Ken Pearson. Directed by John Allibone.

Alan says - "Another film from Coventry Film Production Unit. Circa 1960. Black and white and silent. If you have any info about the group I'd be very interested. It's a little melodrama about being careless with your loved one, something of an object lesson."

Symon Enry comments on the youtube page -
"F.Y.I At around 7.25 you see the couple walking down Daventry Road away from the Parade and they have a snog on the corner of Carthusian Road. Just thought I'd mention that to nobody that will ever read this or care."

Fighting Fit

"A comedy from Coventry Film Production Unit circa 1960 and black and white silent. Seems to feature some footage of Highfield Rd on match day. If anyone knows anything about the group I would be interested to hear."