By Terry Bearpark
BACK in the 1950s, Withernsea musician Bob Parkes and his school friends formed a skiffle group, Calder River, named after the river near where they lived at the time.
Now aged 84, Bob, a regular performer with the Beggar’s Folk Club, has joined forces with five friends, Kevin Young, Paul Pike, Andreya Young, Jim Blake and Loraine Clark, to form the Bob Parkes Seaside Skifflers, reviving the genre of music that was an offspring of American folk and blues, soon to catch on in this country and made popular by such performers as Lonnie Donegan, who was said to be an inspiration to Beatles John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
And now the Seaside Skifflers have found music of the period and style and have learned the intricacies of instruments such as the washboard, spoons and even a homemade tea chest bass.
They will be making their debut tomorrow, Friday May 13, at St Matthew’s Church in Hull Road, Withernsea, at 7pm when they will also be joined by local poet Richard Harries.
Admission is free but donations towards the church, the Beggar’s Folk Club and the Withernsea Pier will be welcome. They will also be taking part in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations on June 4 in the Valley Gardens at 2pm.
Bob and his group hope that these shows will be the start of many appearances both at public and private venues.
For more information, contact Andreya on 07752 593773.
