TonyM

Hi Mike, Unfortunately, no info about Lees Kershaw, as of yet; unless there is some info in the EFDSS archives (?)...I'm paying them a visit in the next few weeks... Tony.

Nice 1 Michael Sam Wild - Thank You for completing my incompleted post! LOL :-) What I meant to say, before I my editing skills betrayed me, was: Dan has done a brilliant job in this labour of love for the history of the concertina. I sincerely would like to thank him wholeheartedly for my late grandfather's representation throughout the masterpiece. As well as being a great testament to all those legendary names involved, and to Dan's fabulous research skills...this one's for you, ELLIS!!! Tony Marshall www.thatllbethestardust.co.uk

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Hi Mark, I noticed you mentioned Ellis Marshall a number of times in your posts here...Thank You! I'm Ellis' Grandson, and even now I can remember him mentioning Fred Kilroy in a number of conversations when I lived with him in Royton when I was a boy. The other names that immediately spring to mind are Jimmy Jinx, the McDermott Brothers, and Jimmy Coleman. Best Wishes, Tony Marshall. www.tonymarshall.info

Scan received....many thanks! There is nothing like having a photo when talking about people. It will make its way into the story... All the best, Dan Hi Guys, Would sure like to see a copy of that scan, if possible?! I have several pics of Ellis playing concertina and kitted out in the full morris regalia; some of the pics I submitted for use to the Oldham Evening Chronicle in 2005/2006 when they published a couple of articles marking my Grandfather's Centenary year to tie-in with the 'Pal of My Cradle Days' Exhibition which was displayed in Royton Library from July to November 06. Cheers, Tony. www.tonymarshall.info

Chas, Thanks, especially for his birth and death dates. I had found a little about him. Here below is the little bit I have so far, buried in a snippet (from a larger section) I put together about the Royton Morris; if you have anything else you think I should add about him, I'd be glad to do it. By the way, I have finished the rough draft writing, and it is entering the edits/reviews stage: ........... ...A writer in 1952 recalled seeing the morris team at Royton in previous years, where a band of concertinas was employed: The Royton Morris, Lancashire, stands by itself in numbers, dress and pattern. Ten men, a youth at each end, all in black velvet breeches, neat black clogs and perky jockey caps, swinging hanks of cotton bound up tightly into rolls; small men of the factory type, cotton spinners most of them. Out they march, their band composed of concertinas and drums, big and little.... This Royton team was partly a product of the morris revival. In 1928, Maud Karpeles of the English Folk Dance Society took the initiative to reform the Royton team with members from two pre-existing groups, each of which was an active team at least as far back as the 1890s. When they traveled to Royal Albert Hall in 1935 (Figure 4i), winning the 'All England Championship', they had two Anglo concertina players, Peter McDermot and Eillis Marshall (1906?-1993). After World War II, another Anglo player, Royton-born Fred Kilroy, joined Ellis Marshall. The Royton team was together for decades before disbanding in 1983. Both Kilroy and Marshall played the Anglo in a chorded style that emphasized minimal changes in bellows direction, and plenty of the volume needed for outdoor performances.... ..................... That is taken from various printed sources which I'll reference when this is published (chief among them is Alan Ward's article on Fred Kilroy). Cheers, Dan Thank You, Dan! I've recently dropped you an email introducing myself, I'm Ellis' Grandson...hope you receive it ok. Yes, Ellis was born July 1st, 1906. It's great to see that you managed to research a little information concerning my Grandfather's playing style. He was also very much a part of the Royton Morris revival of the late 1970's/early 1980's, and played the concertina for the boys' team when they appeared on ITV's Saturday morning children's programme, 'The Fun Factory' in 1980. I remember watching their performance on my little black & white portable in my bedroom that morning...I didn't have a video player at the time so obviously couldn't record it; I've been trying to track down this little piece of history of recent times; Alas, to no avail. Tony Marshall. www.tonymarshall.info

What about the Royton concertina player Ellis Marshall? I remember seeing him playing for Wrigley Head though that must have been later than the period in question (probably late 1970s) but it shows he was still active. I believe he was born 1906 and died in 1993. Mark Davies will probably know much more. Chas Hi Chas, Thank You so much for mentioning Ellis...Yes, he played both for Royton and Wrigley Head Morris in his time. He was born July 1st, 1906 and passed away on October 25th, 1993. I still miss him very much. My name is Tony Marshall...I'm Ellis' Grandson. It's my first time at this fabulous site, and I'm so glad you are all sharing some great stories!