19th Jan Cockney Night at The Star of Mottingham

Back in September 2007 we went on a visit to Cobtree Farm for the Hop weekend. It celebrates the harvesting of the hops for making that wonderful draft called BEER. There was a variety of entertainment going on but the one caught our eye (and ear) od Sis. Elsie Goodman and Sis Marina Morris were the Pearly Kings and Queens. I suggested Elsie talk to them about doing a singsong to raise funds for her charity. Being Provincial Grand Master for the current year, Elsie has been raising money for McMillan Cancer Support. Well the upshot was that they we booked for a Cockney Night on 19th January 2008

It turned out to be a roaring success. Two Pearly Kings entertained us, John Walters Pearly King of Findsbury who headed the team and another John, also from North London. Pearly Prince, Darren and the Pearly Queen of Islington, Peggy. They regaled us with lots of Old Cockney songs and scores of others too, which brought back fond memories for us all. Many of those attending dressed for the part as well: John also explained a brief history of the pearly custure, which was extremely well received. Quite a few of us went down "Lambeth Waw, doing the Lambeth Walk" as well as having a proper old knees-up: going on about "Any Old Iron" and "Run Rabbit Run" It certainly brightened up a dull old January day, I can tell you. Everyone agreed with us as you can see from just a few of their comments quoted below.