Article from? – sorry don’t know.
Christmas Panto @ SHS 1965 I think.
A full house, and a very nervous Roy Gerstner playing
Piano Accordion as a ‘warm up’ to the main event.
Names mentioned, Keith Bielawski is still living in Whittlesey. He has reinvented a trio and sings quite a few venues locally. Speaking with him a few weeks ago, he has a CD out and is hoping to perform on a cruise in the near future.
Peter Savic, lives away from Whittlesey and was involved in Scientific work.
I played the Piano Accordion from the age of 7 through to about 21. I attained a Higher Diploma in Music and played in many competitions around the country – I did not win any?
During my last year at SHS, besides having a morning, evening and Sunday Paper-rounds, Working 2 – 9 pm at Morleys Petrol Station, I managed to play my Accordion at various venues around Whittlesey on Saturday nights.
A couple of Saturdays in each. I remember, The Boat, Letter B, The Angel, Nags Head in Eastrea and The Vine in Coates.
I was earning twice as much as my School Mates who were in work.
Alas I still have the trusted Accordion, and for years keep threatening to start playing again, however it takes years of practice to become a good musician of any instrument.
One Day maybe….
I spent the money I had saved for my first Motorbike – a 1961 Royal Enfield Crusader Sports (250cc). On the road on my 16th Birthday….
Leaving School, all had to be given up – I went of to Tech College in North Wales and then onto Liverpool – swinging 60’s – During one of my Summer breaks I worked in a Pontins Holiday Camp in Camber Sands – Sussex. I was ‘The Cocktail Barman’ – where pubs and bars closed at 10:30 – Holiday Camp bars stayed open until 2 to 3 in the morning.
Happy Days….No Stress….
