Photograph
The Beatvendors
The Nottingham Castle
1962

“Look at my dad happy as larry with his beloved drum kit. We have a photo similar to this at home. Dad really has some stories from those days. It's quite touching to see him in his group more than 50 years ago. I really appreicate seeing these pictures. Dad was quite startled, seeing the van picture too he drove brought a smile to his face”

“Hi Len Ward's son,
I'm the bass player who was with your dad in The Beatvendors. I remember the time with your dad very well, apart from his good drumming ability he was the quietest lad in the band - and you know what they say about the quiet ones - I do have one or two more photos and will try to find and put them on the site. After the band finished I lost contact with the lads, I did try to contact Len some years ago, calling at his mum's in Middleton. She said Len had moved up north, told me the town, but not his address or phone number.
Me? after the Beatvendors I played in one or two other bands, Buccaneers, Dave Plumb & The Stones, Klyx/Pyawacket - finished in '73 then started again in '83 with an Irish band until Xmas 2011 when I decided enough was enough.
The lads in the photo are left to right: Jim Hulme, Trev Randall, Len Ward, Norman Maher then me, We had some good times in those days.
Jeff”

“Len Ward the Drummer played with the Warriors and backed several names such as Johnny Dankworth and Clio Lane as well as Lulu and Tom Jones. At one time he played with the NDO and finished up at Bernard manning's Embassy Club in Manchester. He gave up playing professionally when he married my mother in 1965. Len still plays odd times and is a great drummer..never lost it..but then again i am biased as he is my dad.”

“My teenage local. My mum and dad first met at the back of there.”