80s Harpenden BVWS meeting photo - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

stevehertz · 28th Jul 2023, 6:26 pm

I've found an old photo album containing photos of sets that I've owned in the past and I'll be placing some of them in due course. There's some pre-war TV sets with recognisable figuring to the cabinets, maybe someone might recognise them.

Anyway, amongst the photos is this one of a BVWS swapmeet at Harpenden. I'm not sure of the exact date, but most probably in the 80s. Do you recognise anyone?

Ken G3XSJ · 28th Jul 2023, 9:15 pm

I think that is Bob Warner of Ashford in the orange waistcoat, visible on the left hand side. A very crowded meeting and just as I remember them, except the first when only around 40 attended.

Nickthedentist · 28th Jul 2023, 10:17 pm

…puffing on a cigarette too!

The crowd looks very young compared with your average BVWS meet nowadays.

stevehertz · 29th Jul 2023, 6:44 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken G3XSJ

I think that is Bob Warner of Ashford in the orange waistcoat, visible on the left hand side. A very crowded meeting and just as I remember them, except the first when only around 40 attended.

Yes I thought it was Bob Warner. The gentleman in the foreground sporting a dickie bow, I recall he was a 'regular' but I can't put a name to him.

stevehertz · 29th Jul 2023, 6:48 am

Out of interest, has the hall been knocked down? I sincerely hope all that wooden panelling went to a good home.

Rejectostat · 29th Jul 2023, 9:34 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevehertz

Out of interest, has the hall been knocked down?

Still standing, hosting events, and future bookable. Seems the closure never came.

Gridiron · 29th Jul 2023, 10:14 am

When the society was flourishing!
Could the bow tie wearer be Duncan Neale ?
Mike.

murphymad · 29th Jul 2023, 5:02 pm

Yes, That's Duncan Neale.

Mike...

Rejectostat · 29th Jul 2023, 8:05 pm

Right hand walkway, behind the chap in white shirt and blue tie, Louis Coakley? Perhaps walking to his shared stall which was always on that side of the hall between the canteen doors and stage.

murphymad · 30th Jul 2023, 9:52 am

Yes, I think you are right John. That's Louis.

To my utter surprise, I am in the picture.

I am to be found at the extreme left of the picture at the back of the hall.
I am wearing a white shirt and standing behind a chap in a blue baseball cap.
I look noticeably younger than most people in the hall (before the hair decided to leave!).

I also believe that behind Bob Warner is just the head of Mike Lewis in collar and tie as always.
There are a few others that I recognise but cannot put names to.

The wood panelling was still there when we last had an event at the hall, but it had been painted so no longer dark oak.

Mike...

radiomobile · 30th Jul 2023, 11:06 am

The be-spectacled grey haired balding gent wearing a white shirt slightly to the right of centre of the photo could be Don Hewlett, a real gentleman, who once worked for Mullard.

stevehertz · 30th Jul 2023, 11:31 am

Yes that's Don. I had many a chat with him about the Mullard HSVT, and he even sent me a replacement bulb cover for mine. He also had a 'special' way to set up the dot position in the 'go' / 'no' set up procedure. I recall him (that day?) talking about retiring with about another year to go and mentioning that he had a bad heart as justification to retire - bless him.

28th Jul 2023, 6:26 pm	#1
stevehertz Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 8,659	80s Harpenden BVWS meeting photo I've found an old photo album containing photos of sets that I've owned in the past and I'll be placing some of them in due course. There's some pre-war TV sets with recognisable figuring to the cabinets, maybe someone might recognise them. Anyway, amongst the photos is this one of a BVWS swapmeet at Harpenden. I'm not sure of the exact date, but most probably in the 80s. Do you recognise anyone? Attached Thumbnails __________________ A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever..

28th Jul 2023, 9:15 pm	#2
Ken G3XSJ Triode Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 33	Re: 80s Harpenden BVWS meeting photo I think that is Bob Warner of Ashford in the orange waistcoat, visible on the left hand side. A very crowded meeting and just as I remember them, except the first when only around 40 attended.

28th Jul 2023, 10:17 pm	#3
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,574	Re: 80s Harpenden BVWS meeting photo …puffing on a cigarette too! The crowd looks very young compared with your average BVWS meet nowadays.

29th Jul 2023, 6:48 am	#5
stevehertz Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 8,659	Re: 80s Harpenden BVWS meeting photo Out of interest, has the hall been knocked down? I sincerely hope all that wooden panelling went to a good home. __________________ A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever..

29th Jul 2023, 10:14 am	#7
Gridiron Heptode Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: West Midlands, UK. Posts: 630	Re: 80s Harpenden BVWS meeting photo When the society was flourishing! Could the bow tie wearer be Duncan Neale ? Mike.

29th Jul 2023, 5:02 pm	#8
murphymad Heptode Join Date: May 2003 Location: Devizes, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 649	Re: 80s Harpenden BVWS meeting photo Yes, That's Duncan Neale. Mike... __________________ Mike Barker.

29th Jul 2023, 8:05 pm	#9
Rejectostat Hexode Join Date: May 2003 Location: Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 304	Re: 80s Harpenden BVWS meeting photo Right hand walkway, behind the chap in white shirt and blue tie, Louis Coakley? Perhaps walking to his shared stall which was always on that side of the hall between the canteen doors and stage.

30th Jul 2023, 9:52 am	#10
murphymad Heptode Join Date: May 2003 Location: Devizes, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 649	Re: 80s Harpenden BVWS meeting photo Yes, I think you are right John. That's Louis. To my utter surprise, I am in the picture. I am to be found at the extreme left of the picture at the back of the hall. I am wearing a white shirt and standing behind a chap in a blue baseball cap. I look noticeably younger than most people in the hall (before the hair decided to leave!). I also believe that behind Bob Warner is just the head of Mike Lewis in collar and tie as always. There are a few others that I recognise but cannot put names to. The wood panelling was still there when we last had an event at the hall, but it had been painted so no longer dark oak. Mike... __________________ Mike Barker.

30th Jul 2023, 11:06 am	#11
radiomobile Pentode Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 107	Re: 80s Harpenden BVWS meeting photo The be-spectacled grey haired balding gent wearing a white shirt slightly to the right of centre of the photo could be Don Hewlett, a real gentleman, who once worked for Mullard.

30th Jul 2023, 11:31 am	#12
stevehertz Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 8,659	Re: 80s Harpenden BVWS meeting photo Yes that's Don. I had many a chat with him about the Mullard HSVT, and he even sent me a replacement bulb cover for mine. He also had a 'special' way to set up the dot position in the 'go' / 'no' set up procedure. I recall him (that day?) talking about retiring with about another year to go and mentioning that he had a bad heart as justification to retire - bless him. __________________ A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever..