The Laners

Group History

The group started as a bit of fun (still is, of course) more than twenty-five years ago at a pub in Willenhall called The Lane Arms.

In about 2001 a great upheaval came upon us when Ollie met his soon-to-be wife and took to the hills of Wales, a little too far for rehearsals, and at the same time Mick decided he'd had enough of the fame and the limelight and gently faded into obscurity. But lo, on yonder horizon, came two more ne'er do wells (we do seem to attract them). Derek Wheeler, ex squire of Victory Morris (a Portsmouth

The Lane Arms recently. It wasn't like this when we started but you did tell us to raise the rafters.

The original line up consisted of several ne'er do wells, about six initially but soon trimmed down to its core members, Albert Mallen, Dave Tarry, Ollie Jones and Eddie Tonks. We don't have a photo of Eddie but if anyone out there does, we'd like a copy.

Albert, Dave and Ollie.

After a few years and some wonderful gigs, Eddie left us and Mick Bagguley badgered us with his presence and his dry sense of humour.

We performed at festivals and sang on local radio as well as at folk clubs around the country.

Mick

After an all too brief time with us, Dave decided to leave to pursue other avenues on the folk scene. Oh dear, we're one short again, but who's this, another great find, Martin Willis who brought a different dimension to our sound. A very good

side) and a noteable harmony singer, joined us together with Dave Reader, another singer of renown. We gelled well and carried on doing the rounds and having priceless moments along the way.

Derek

Dave

harmony singer but we had to control the high end of his range or wear very tight undergarments.

Martin

Then in 2011, we were two short again, with Albert retiring to Norfolk and Martin putting his feet up in Ludlow.

Dave (now the only remaining original member) and Derek both wanted The Laners to carry on, so they invited Clive Brooks, a mutual friend and, of course,

ne'er do well, to join them. Clive, who hails from Bromsgrove, has been playing and singing around the country for many years and has also performed in the USA, New Zealand, Holland and Ireland.

Clive

Well, we were one short again following Derek’s untimely death. He had contributed so much to the group in his seventeen years as a Laner. He was a larger than life character, well known and loved by so many, a splendid and caring bloke with a great sense of humour. We were honoured to have spent so many hours singing with him.

How do you replace the irreplaceable? It’s a tough ask but Dave and Clive called on Pete Grassby to take on the task. Based in Coventry, Pete is very well known for his solo work and as the leader of the Aardvark Ceilidh Band and the singing group Starley Road, and, as all who have met him can testify, a ne’er-do-well of the first order.

So keep your eyes peeled - we will still be amongst you.

Pete

Photo by Gerard Hudson