Just looked at the picture of 'hippies on the beach'. In my previous comment on this site, I mentioned Wizz Jones, and lo and behold it is him sitting at the end of the boat, and I think it's me sitting there playing the guitar with him.

Thanks for that John. I thought nobody was going to respond to this photo. I wonder if the comment below raises up any vibes? It came from the 'Arches' page. Is there any chance one of the other blokes on the beach is the man called Rod, as he admitted in a recent interview that he was a hippie for a period in Brighton? Cheers.

"This brings back memories of days on Brighton beach helping Rod Stewart get back to London and inviting him to come visit Eel Pie Island. I spent a lot of time in Brighton and on the old barge at Shoreham."
By Dolores (17/06/2008)

I have memories of hippies and previously beatnicks, living on the beach at the bottom of West Street. A semi circle of dark pebbles. As a young teenager I was often in awe of them. Blankets on their backs and a 'freedom' that I so desperately wanted. Psychedelia at weekends (The cottage) and Patcham Fawcett during the week.

Wasn't there a woman who used to give them food? Chip butties I think it was. I used to hang out at the Cottage, smoking roll ups ("That isn't what I think it is, is it?" "No, just Sun Valley"). I remember getting thrown out of the King and Queen with my boyfriend of the time because "We don't want your sort in here". I used to dream about going on the road, like Jack Kerouac, but never had the courage. Oh well.

The woman on the beach who fed the hippies/beatnicks with fish, chips and butties was Mrs Smith. I was not one of them, but I know a man who was, he always speaks fondly of her. The fish and chips came from the chippy in Boyce's Street: she used to send one of them up there.

I haven't looked at this page for a while, but glad to see a few new comments. This might trip a few memories as well. Among the so called 'hippies' on the beach, especially Easter and other bank-holiday weekends, were Colin Hicks (Tommy Steele) as he was later known, Russel Quaye and the City Ramblers, Wizz, Long John Baldry, Cousin Will, Moxy, Pete Stanley and many, many more. There was also a fairly strong local contingent. I was just starting at the art school then and we all used to meet at Mrs: Q's - the landlady of the Running Horse in Black Lion Street, and after chucking out time, at The Ballad Tree just down the road next to what we called the New Bank. I lived upstairs at the Balad Tree for a short while, and one day when we lost our keys, Peter Green and myself climbed over the bank roof to try and get in; we were promtly arrested for attempting to break into the bank. At least, that's what they said. There was also the Easter 'Ban the Bomb' marches, when a whole lot of good intentioned people set out to Aldermasrton and at Clayton tunnel turned back, either to finish the day in the pub or 'doss' on the beach again. Later we all started going in the Cottage and the King and Queen, and Laurie Poore and myself played over the road in the Norfolk Arms. By this time, most of the so called Hippy Generation had stopped coming down to Brighton. Those days of the five o'clock milk train sadly died. Rod Stewart used to play with us all in the Heart and Hand in North Road too, and an Everly Brothers type duo called Chuck and Giddian who, eventually made it into the top ten at the time. Somewhere around that time I started the Country and Gospel Club at the Heart and Hand upstairs until it got so crammed full we had to move. We had all manner of guests who just seemed to drop by for the fun of it. Wizz played there, Pete Stanley, Tom Paxton, John Pearse and even Rod came up and played a couple of blues. (Nobody knew who he really was then, as he was trying to do a Dylan act.) Anyway great days, and I'd do it all again given half a chance. And, something I just remembered, somebody mentioned the house boat at Shoreham (and I pressume they also knew the Lady Jane pub) well, Stewart lived there for a while like us all, and Leo Sayer started from there. There was also a 'Maidstone Mick' and another little crowd who brought a beautiful Dutch barge down from the Medway to live on. I think the remains of it are still there, but not recognisable now.

Glad my picy raised so many memories for you John. I only saw Tommy Steele's brother in a Brighton pub on the Kings Road. Should have had my camera with me... As a matter of interest, what were the journalists up to, and were they from the Brighton and Hove Argus? Did you get interviewed?

It wasn't Tommy Steele John, it was his brother. Tommy real name Thomas Hicks was already famous in the 1960s. I'm almost sure his first hit was in 1956 and on the Decca label. Colin Hicks had also sung with skiffle bands on the seafront near the Palace Pier in the 1950s.

Lots of great stories about the 60s here. I'm currently working on a project about the music scene in Brighton during the 60s, if anyone would care to spend an evening over a pint and tape recorder please contact me at the following email address: smyth_johnson@yahoo.co.uk  Cheers.

I used to be with Mrs. Smith and occassionally bought the chips. I hung out with Girl Geordie, Mary Lytton and Hamish, and Shoreham John to name a few.

Just a quick one to correct a couple of facts by Peter Groves just for the sake of history. As a member of the "Hippie" group who well in my case lived on the beach by the subway has fond memories of Mrs Smith. She never for as long as I knew her purchased fish, it was always chips and one large white loaf no butties as such. I do remember being be-friended by the owner of the chip shop in Boyce's Street and turning up every night at closing time for the left overs. Huss, Huss and more Huss and to this day I do not eat fish an chips.

I was one of Mrs Smith's hippies for a summer - until I emigrated to Hastings! She was a curious lady and liked to chat for hours about our lives but we never found out much about hers. Does anyone remember an old hippy guy called Leo? He lived on the beach during the day but disappeared at night.

Leo Griggs! Lots of bead necklaces, liked to offend just before Xmas so he had somewhere to go. Even walked out in front of a bus and got a broken leg. Bonus that year!

Linda Brown:  Did you sleep under the West Pier then go to Newquay?

If anybody is interested, you can find wedding films of Tommy Steele and his brother (as best man) in the Pathe News site. They are very similar in looks, and I gather, part scandinavian in origin. The 'Steele' is a corruption of a family name from that past, and not an agent's addition for marketing purposes, although I suppose it came to the same thing in the end.

I lived on Brighton beach in 1965 and remember Zak, Sorrows, Reg and many others. We often rented a basement flat too, about 20 of us and sneaked it. Groovy Days. Pammie.

I remember Mrs. Smith well; she was always on the beach with her bread & chips. They opened up the arches for us to stay the night. We stayed on occasions underneath the miniature railway. The atmosphere was electric! I would not change anything, absolutely brilliant. Stayed some time on a boat in hove and ended up falling off the gangplank into the mud the boat was moored in. It was in the papers.

Sad to relate that Mrs Smith passed away in 2006, but she remembered everyone in her 'family' of beats and kept in contact with a few of us to the last. I remember Elaine, I think she had a sister, and I knew Hamish and girl Geordie very well, along with many others. Does anyone remember Shane who was always playing his guitar, sometimes practicing with a guy called Moose? I went busking round Europe with Shane a couple of times and we had a great time, but we always came back to Brighton beach, which was our base.

To Mrs Smith, she has gone but not forgotten. These letters sent in has brought happy memories to me. Well done.

I came to Brighton in the early Sixties from London and dossed down in the Mermaid Hotel on the seafront. There I met Jeff, Spike from Birmingham and Dave (Lucifer). When eleven o'clock came, the landlady used to knock on the door and utter those well dreaded words, "Guests please leave." We used to hide up in cupboards, under beds and behind doors. We used to frequent the seafront. There we met other hippies. There was Ann (I forget her second name), Fuzzy Bob, Mary and Twiggy (nickname). In the evening we used to go down and see Mrs Smith, famed for her chip buttys. There we used to while away the hours, talking. I also recall a chap called Leo. He used to open up the Archway for free coffees and a place to sit and talk. Does anyone recall Ghost, an Irish man with long ginger hair and a beard? Sometimes we use to pass the night away sleeping at a place called The Temple at Black Rock, or under boats. maurice-66@hotmail.com

The last email Adddress for Maurice Owen .mauriceto66@hotmail.com. has changed to maurice-66@mail.com

Yorkie, remember you well. Wasn't Maurice known as Lucifer or was that a different Maurice, lived on the house boat in Newhaven. My sister was Janet. Last time I saw you, you were visiting with cowboy's Jenny.

Sam "Moose" Mitchell died about 2006. If you google Sam Mitchell you will find a lot of information and a video of him playing in Denmark with a band called Sandrocks.

Hi I'm Elaine's sister, Janet, I remember Yorkie (mate of Dave Hale) and Maurice well. The former for his sheepskin waistcoat and boots, and Maurice for his evil grin! Also remember Lucifer, I gave him my rosary beads.

Sandmen was the band in Denmark that "Moose" was with, not Sandrocks.

Nice to remember Elaine and Janet, you brought sandwiches for Dave Hale and me one morning when we had dossed down in the field where you kept your pony, then you fed the horse. What became of Hamish? I remember visiting many years ago. Sad to learn of Sammy Mitchel passing away - I remember seeing him play his steel guitar on 'The Old Grey Whistle Test' one time and I know that he was playing with Long John Baldry's band for a while in the 70s. He was a nice guy and a talented musician. Maurice was the same one who lived on the houseboat at Newhaven, 'The Queen Leigh' and he had a friend called Lucifer. I am still in contact with Maurice. If anyone wants to get in touch with me, my e-mail address is : yorkiethelast@gmail.com.

Yorkie, I believe Hamish died. There is an obituary on the Blantyre ain website under his correct name. I haven't seen him since 1975. Also Monk died last year. I expect Janet told you that. Not many of us left now!

Janet, I did live on the houseboat in Newhaven. I do remember you. Sorry about the grin. I was just being friendly.I dont know what happened to Lucifer (Dave). I am still in contact with Yorkie. My email is maurice-66@mail.com

Has anybody else read V.T.Coughtrey Arch 167? Maurice you are in the "book". Google it.

Hi Elaine, Yorkie told me about Vic's masterpiece. I don't remember being like that. I never got involved with Dave's night time activities. I am embarrassed a bit by what he said. But that's life.

Just been reading Vic Stephen's (Coughtry) autobiography (Arch 167). Just to clarify, I am not the same 'Yorkie' that he mentions in one chapter (40 years old etc.) I was around 20 at that time, and I did know Vic, although not too well. There were several ex-Yorkshiremen like me unimanginatively known as 'Yorkie' in those days, before the advent of the chocolate bar!

I remember some of the events in the "book" but don't remember Vic being there! Nor on the boat!

Hi Elaine, Vic stayed with Dave and myself on the boat at Newhaven. He seemed at the time a down to earth person. I have been in contact with him he was upset about what he said about me. He never spoke of Mrs Smith do you remember her?, lovely lady.

I remember Melba Smith; you could set your clock by her. 6pm on the dot, bottom of West Street, immaculately dressed. I think a lot of the 'book' was from other people's experiences - written as his own.

Only just come across this page! I was often on the beach with Mrs Smith in 1968. I was known as Casey and hung around with Fuzzy Bob, Irish Mike, Cue and others who lived on the houseboat at Shoreham. I had a desperate teen crush on one of Mrs Smith's favourites - Ginger Bob ....... Whatever happened to him I wonder? I constructed many a chip butty for Mrs Smith who was always grateful for someone to get on with feeding her children so she could get on with praying for them! Great memories!

Jools, Casey, never mind Ginger Bob what about his mate Mick? (not Irish Mick.) Both had affro hairstyles last time I saw them.

My parents and my step-father were all part of this scene and I guess you could call me a Brighton love child. I have been trying to find out what happened to my father Marcus Reid who was in Brighton from 1968, last known sighting of him in the early '70s. I was brought up by Sindy (my Mum) and Izzy (my step-dad) who slept under the pier in Brighton for a while as I understand. Thanks for sharing the photo, I have heard so many stories of this time.

Maya, most people then had nicknames. Did your dad have one, or do you know the names of others he was with?

I knew Sindy and Issy (Israel?) and like them slept under the West Pier many times. Say 'hi' to them for me, if they can remember me. Yorkie.

Hi Maya, I knew Sindy and Izzy (Israel?) in the 60s and like them often used to sleep under the West Pier. Say 'hi' to them for me if they can remember me; if they want to get in touch I can be contacted on : yorkiethelast@gmail.com. All the best with your search. Yorkie.

I will pass on your message Yorkie. I have sent him this link so he may be along himself shortly. My biological dad was know as Marcus but his real name was Anthony James Read (so I guess you could say that was his nickname). He arrived in Brighton in 1967/68.

Maya - Where did he come from? Did he arrive with someone else?

Hi Elaine, he arrived in Brighton with a lady called Angela Snowdon (no nickname I know of). They are both pictured under 'Marcus and Angela' in Vic's blog that has already been mentioned here, but he had dramatically changed his style by then. He and my mum Sindy were a couple for a while 1969-1970 (before Izzy) and very much part of the Brighton 'hippie' scene. Thanks for taking an interest.
Yorkie - I don't know if Izzy (Fred) got in touch but he remembers you well and a lot of others on here.

I had thought he was with Angela. Did you contact her through Vic / find out from her if she knew where he originated from in case he went "home"? Is Fred's surname Robins? Did he go out with girl Geordie for a while?

Elaine - Yes, I have been in touch with Vic and Angela, they were very kind and gave me lots of information and I found a half brother as a result but nothing after 1972. He may well have had other girlfriends but I don't know the names of any that he hung out with in Brighton. I was told he was from London but I can't find a match for a birth certificate. Izzy's real name is Fred Cartman. Thank you again for taking such an interest.

I just thought of another couple of names that have been mentioned in connection with him, a couple called Les and Tot and an artist named John Upton. Don't know that any of them slept on the beach but they were on that scene.

John Upton wasn't "part of the scene" but I spent some time "socially" with him and his family and others on the Level but can't remember who was there apart from Hamish.

Hi Maya, John Upton had been Artist-in-Residence at Sussex University in the mid 60s and was very active in Brighton with art projects and the very oddball "Brighton Poetry Group" who used to put on weekly public performances on the esplanade near the archways. John lived three doors down from my pad in Hanover Crescent at one time and he was a very nice, approachable guy, very talented. The last that I heard of him some years ago was that he had moved to Edinburgh. You will probably be able to find out more via Google. Hope this helps.

Well thanks anyway Elaine. I will keep searching. If anyone does have any information on Marcus, aka Antony James Read, you can always email me at maya_west_2000@yahoo.co.uk.

Re: John Upton. The wall leading to the Combination where Izzy worked had a large mural by John Upton on it. It has all been demolished now, sadly, so I expect that the artwork was destroyed also. 

Hi, just read the blog and wanted to say that my dad, John Upton, passed away a few years ago. I hoped he was in the hippies on the beach pic but he wasn't.

Sorry to hear about your dad Circe, spent many a pleasant time with him when he had a studio in Kemptown. We used to pop in when we lived at Pankhurst Avenue and you were just down the road - remember him painting the house in large flowers; the council were not impressed.

I often visited the beach around 69, 70. Some nicknames were Dave the Pave, and Dave the Rave. I met up with some of them again in 1971 at Glastonbury Fayre. There was also a young Irish lad , but cannot remember his name. Wasn't there also a lady that used to preach to us?

Terry, there were at least two "boys" by that name, if the irish boy you referred to had hair almost like ringlets and dark red he was Mick. The lady was Mrs Smith.

Thanks Elaine. The Irish lad I knew had dark hair. I think his name was Jimmy but not sure. I remember Mrs Smith preaching but never got a chip butty. Peace.

My dad Allen King lived on a barge in Hove with Rod and a few others, sound like great times, I wish I was around in those days.

I just found this page by accident. I too have fond memories of Mrs Smith and her chips. I was sleeping on the beach for two summers and remember Leo, Spud and Gypsy who had a dog. Loved the spaghetti bol at The Cottage and stayed a few nights with Cowboy and his wife at their flat with my then boyfriend. Tourists were always coming past and used to give us half a crown to take photos. Happy days.

I have been reading everyone's comments about your times in Brighton especially in the early sixties...........

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Fascinating seeing all this stuff. I wonder if anyone remembers my mother Coral Rutherford or her friend Jimmy Webb. She hung out at the Ballad Tree as well at the Penny Farthing. She remained passionate about folk music...

Jane, l remember Cowboy and his wife and spud, Leo, Gypsy, and Mrs Smith and her chips.

I've just come across this site. I was living on the Rupipa houseboat in Shoreham around 67/ 68. Not very good at remembering names, I came down from London with a friend called Dawn/Val and went to the Archway and Combination. My boyfriend at the time Tony Hatton was doing a blues night at the Combination. I still have some sketches I did of that time and place. I'd like to post them here. I'd just left an art school course I'd been on

I worked in the cafe in the Combination.

Dose anyone remember the silver lady (not Mrs Smith) where you could get 2/6d to tide you over? Also the convent in St James's Street where you would be given a milk bottle of tea and sandwiches, and the hot pie shop?

Thought I would let those who knew him know that Hamish died in 2009.

What memories! I was on the beach in the 60s - I was known as Davy McLennon back then. I knew Mrs Smith, a guy with a pet Raven!, Jean Sinclair, Howard, who actually lived in "Purpleonia" and played nice guitar and people with unlikely names like Joe Moses, Dave the Rave. I visited the Brighton Combination, the Broken Pie Shop (the baked bean ones were my favourite). I played guitar and did a gig somewhere with a flute/guitar player called Roy Pennington. I saw and played the first "proper" Steel National type guitar I had ever seen. The owner was a superb bottleneck guitarist, he was a "scouse" or a "geordie" and this was in the Arches where you could get free coffee or tea. I left to return to my home town of Nottingham but returned soon after with my girl friend and future wife Christine and lived for a while in Newhaven on a house boat called the "Queen Leigh" owned by Mick Dancy who use to take us all in a mini-bus to the labour exchange in Lewes on dole day! Happy, happy days!