Remembering the Northumbrian Restaurant and the Brass n' Banjo Band.

When the old Shields ferry 'Northumbrian' was decommissioned, it was bought by a consortium of local businessmen and converted into a floating restaurant and bar which for a few years was highly successful. It was berthed on the south side of the Tyne near Gateshead International Sports Stadium  - one of the partners was Captain Frank McNulty, a boatyard owner from South Shields - in later years McNulty's became a successful business supplying rigs in the North Sea oil fields. Clarinettist Bill Scott , trumpeter Alan Taylor and Brian Bennett as part of the Brass n' Banjo Band played there weekly for at least 2 years - Brian describes it as a terrific residency while it lasted, probably between '71 - '74. 

In the picture are (L to R): Hughie Aitchison, valve trombone; Norman Helm, trumpet (a Redhead's copy writer); Ray Brown, drums; Bill Scott, clarinet and Howard Swanson, tuba. Clive Gray and Brian Bennett on banjos are out of picture. 

Picture and modified text were supplied by Brian Bennett via Colin Aitchison. Colin, incidentally, has added a couple of more Melody Makers to his vast on-line collection. They are the issues for October 6 and 13, 1945. Fascinating reading.

Lance.