Sue's Family, Flowers and Fun Stuff: Aylesbury Friars 40th Anniversery Concert

You may want to grab a drink first, as this may be a long one!

Today was the day of the 40th Anniversary Concert of Aylesbury Friars, the sadly now defunct music club held in Aylesbury, Bucks from 1969 to 1984 (check out http://www.aylesburyfriars.co.uk/ for a fantastic history of the club - all put together I am very pleased and proud to say by my wonderful husband Mike). Mike, who couldn't hide his excitement and anticipation, though he tried, headed out early this morning to see if there was anything he could help with and to record the day for his website and posterity.

I had heard a lot about Friars, and I am really pleased to have been able to go to one gig for myself, and get my own membership card (Mike and I helped out on the membership desk for the early part of the evening) but more than that it was an absolutely fantastic evening.

In some ways it is difficult to put into words what the night meant to so many people who were there, some people were meeting up with old friends, many seeing people they hadn't seen for many years, some reliving their youth and all just having one brilliant night. People turning up with their old membership cards, having to dig out their glasses to fill in the new membership forms, there was a real camaraderie amongst everyone there. I have rarely enjoyed an evening as much!

I hope that these photos can give a flavour of the evening ......

The stage is being set ...

Rick, Judy and Stuart doing their thing, it was nice to meet some new people (who I had heard a lot about) and meet up with some others again.

John Braley (stage manager) and Pete Frame (yes that Pete Frame of Rock Family Trees fame!)

The lighting rig is getting ready - the lighting was done by the guy who does Coldplay's lighting!

A display cabinet in the Civic Centre showing some of Friars history ...

Tony McPhee of The Groundhogs in action ...

Mike presents the first Friars Award of the evening to The Groundhogs - I'm enormously proud of him for doing such a fantastic job on the night. The feedback he has had has been praising and wonderful.

Richard Carr from Bucks TV interviewing Pete Trewavas of Marillion - check out the Bucks TV coverage of the event at http://www.buckstv.co.uk/buckstv/music/friars/friars_concert_.html, you might even spot Mike, watching it back gave me goosebumps ......

Edgar Broughton from The Edgar Broughton Band

Mike presenting a Friars Award to Steve and Edgar Broughton

Backstage .....

Mike presenting a Friars Award to Paul Riordan of Mandrake Paddle Steamer, who played at the first ever Friars Concert back in 1969

The people who originally began Friars.

Mike with Paul Riordan (Mandrake Paddle Steamer) - who was such a lovely guy.

The legendary Pretty Things hit the stage .....

Phil May

Dick Taylor

and again

The Pretty Things played a great set, it was their second of the night, they had played the O2 in London earlier in the evening and still made it to Aylesbury on time!

"I am the god of hell fire, and I bring you Fire" - The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, yes that Arthur Brown joined The Pretty Things on Stage, it was, at times, quite surreal .....

The crowd were having a brilliant time .....

Mike was given 4 guest tickets and we met up with friends Dave and Betty and Lynn and Andrew, here are Lynn and Andrew in the crowd during The Pretty Things set! The night was so hectic we only managed to catch up with them at the after show party in the dressing rooms!