Decided to google your name after all these years following a discussion of early TV memories with some friends. I recall watching Monday night BBC 2 programmes in the early 80’s, Last of the Summer Wine followed by Mike Harding at the Buxton Opera House brings back some great memories. Then I married a girl whose Dad was a big fan of yours so you were always on in his car. He ran a folk club in Sheffield in the early ’70’s and said that you slept on his sofa after a gig at his place – I take that with a pinch of salt though. Glad to see you’re still going strong and still doing a bit. Keep on Rambling.
I heard a song today, and as I sat listening a young lad came and sat next to me. For a moment I thought I had seen him before but couldn’t remember from where. The boy took no notice of me but looked straight ahead as the words embraced him like a dear old friend.
He began to take on a comforted smile that only a warm and cosy duvet can bring on cold night.
After a while the boy looked towards me as if he was going to say, ‘do you remember it now?’ but the boy realised he was on his own and sitting in front of a television on a dimly lit Saturday night with Mike harding making him laugh out loud, sigh and then feel contented, all within a short space of time.
The boy has long since passed into manhood, whatever that may mean.
If only he could pass back on to the sofa in a dimly lit Saturday night.
I remember you from my teens. You helped shape my sense of humour. I am now in my 50’s and introducing you to the young pups I work with. Thank you for the memories.
I grew up with Mike Harding, not literally you understand I grew up with my mum and dad and brother but I grew up listening to his poetry and reading his books. Somewhere sometime I had his book When the Martians Landed in Huddersfield and I can’t find it anywhere! There are two books I’m desperate to replace Bare by George Michael and When the Martians Landed in Huddersfield by Mike Harding poles apart but both mean the world to me! I’m
Still hunting high and low in every book shop I see if anyone knows where I can find either I’m now not in Huddersfield but Harrogate but you can pin a message on Emley Moor Mast (my Mast by the way) and I’ll find it x
I’ve just read this post back, my three poor teenagers with me for their mum 😂💖
He Lesley – thanks for the mail – can’t help with the other book but martians can be got on Amazon 2nd hand. If you’re stuck I might be able to find a copy somewhere here.
Heyup Lad!
I’m looking to see if any of your songs, eg: Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls; Rochdale Cowboy and the like, can be found in a book or online with simple chords and lyrics so as to gee-up my Ukulele Group a bit.
hi Mike just looking through you tube and watching bbc recording from Buxton 1982. Brilliant! hope u are keeping well. I left the houghton weavers in 2011 after 30 odd years retired and moved to kelso Scotland. Talking to Teddy Lowton a while ago he said u were doing some fishing. If u ever get up this way give me a shout and i will sort a day on the tweed.
all the best
Phil
Good to hear from you Phil – good to hear too that like me you’re still the right end of the shovel – I’ll be seeing Teddy 19th Dec at our annual Xmas get together. Email me your address (mike@csvr.co.uk) and I’ll get in touch if I ever make it up there – casting a fly on the Tweed sounds just about right. I’ll bring some Uncle Joes.
So sad to hear of Maartin Alcocks passing.He was such a funny,multi instrumentalist who had the time to make anyone who met him feel so special.RIP Maart you will be sorely missed by so many.
“Shrines ” made me shiver -in a good way! Thank you for a beautiful poem.
And thank you for your kind comments.
Hi Mike,
Decided to google your name after all these years following a discussion of early TV memories with some friends. I recall watching Monday night BBC 2 programmes in the early 80’s, Last of the Summer Wine followed by Mike Harding at the Buxton Opera House brings back some great memories. Then I married a girl whose Dad was a big fan of yours so you were always on in his car. He ran a folk club in Sheffield in the early ’70’s and said that you slept on his sofa after a gig at his place – I take that with a pinch of salt though. Glad to see you’re still going strong and still doing a bit. Keep on Rambling.
Thank you – funny enough the working title of the next vol of my autobiography is “You Can Sleep On The Settee…” Happy dze.
I heard a song today, and as I sat listening a young lad came and sat next to me. For a moment I thought I had seen him before but couldn’t remember from where. The boy took no notice of me but looked straight ahead as the words embraced him like a dear old friend.
He began to take on a comforted smile that only a warm and cosy duvet can bring on cold night.
After a while the boy looked towards me as if he was going to say, ‘do you remember it now?’ but the boy realised he was on his own and sitting in front of a television on a dimly lit Saturday night with Mike harding making him laugh out loud, sigh and then feel contented, all within a short space of time.
The boy has long since passed into manhood, whatever that may mean.
If only he could pass back on to the sofa in a dimly lit Saturday night.
Lovely words Tariq – thank you – the image in my mind as I read it was very strong.
I remember you from my teens. You helped shape my sense of humour. I am now in my 50’s and introducing you to the young pups I work with. Thank you for the memories.
And thank you too – good luck with the young pups.
Did you ever get the spurs to fit right on yer clogs?
Yes and just as I did the bloody dog died 😉
I grew up with Mike Harding, not literally you understand I grew up with my mum and dad and brother but I grew up listening to his poetry and reading his books. Somewhere sometime I had his book When the Martians Landed in Huddersfield and I can’t find it anywhere! There are two books I’m desperate to replace Bare by George Michael and When the Martians Landed in Huddersfield by Mike Harding poles apart but both mean the world to me! I’m
Still hunting high and low in every book shop I see if anyone knows where I can find either I’m now not in Huddersfield but Harrogate but you can pin a message on Emley Moor Mast (my Mast by the way) and I’ll find it x
I’ve just read this post back, my three poor teenagers with me for their mum 😂💖
He Lesley – thanks for the mail – can’t help with the other book but martians can be got on Amazon 2nd hand. If you’re stuck I might be able to find a copy somewhere here.
Hi Mike, just wondering, have you any plans for touring in 2019. Hope so.
Thank you
Kindest Regards
Tracey B
Hello Tracey – if I do tour I’ll have the dates up on FB and on my website – where are you based?
Heyup Lad!
I’m looking to see if any of your songs, eg: Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls; Rochdale Cowboy and the like, can be found in a book or online with simple chords and lyrics so as to gee-up my Ukulele Group a bit.
Love and best wishes from a life-long fan.
I’m working on a book of songs Pat – I’ll post up on the website when it’s done – best wishes – mike
hi Mike just looking through you tube and watching bbc recording from Buxton 1982. Brilliant! hope u are keeping well. I left the houghton weavers in 2011 after 30 odd years retired and moved to kelso Scotland. Talking to Teddy Lowton a while ago he said u were doing some fishing. If u ever get up this way give me a shout and i will sort a day on the tweed.
all the best
Phil
Good to hear from you Phil – good to hear too that like me you’re still the right end of the shovel – I’ll be seeing Teddy 19th Dec at our annual Xmas get together. Email me your address (mike@csvr.co.uk) and I’ll get in touch if I ever make it up there – casting a fly on the Tweed sounds just about right. I’ll bring some Uncle Joes.
So sad to hear of Maartin Alcocks passing.He was such a funny,multi instrumentalist who had the time to make anyone who met him feel so special.RIP Maart you will be sorely missed by so many.
Wonderful musician and a pal for many years. We shared so many memories of life on the road.