Post by pertie on Nov 10, 2021 19:40:55 GMT
I am so terribly sad to be bringing the news to this page that our wonderful friend, Simon Wells has passed away.
Aside from Simon's many books on popular culture, his music and his poetry, many of you will know how important his contributions have been to everything Catweazle.
My first encounter with Simon's work was an article in Dreamwatch magazine entitled, 'Magic Moments', published in May 2000 to coincide with the release of Catweazle on VHS by Network Video, which was at that time a media company in its infancy. Included on the release was the documentary, 'Brothers in Magic' featuring the reunion of Geoffrey Bayldon and Robin Davies after almost 30 years, filmed at Home Farm in East Clandon which as many of you will know was the filming location for the first series in the summer of 1969, better known as, 'Hexwood Farm'.
What I did not realise until some time later was that Simon was present at the filming of the documentary, having written to Network's MD, Tim Beddows, and initially suggested he consider Catweazle as part of the fledgling company's catalogue, and being delighted to find that they were most interested in doing so. Simon also suggested that they try to reunite Geoffrey and Robin at the farm in order to embellish the release with a documentary, which certainly began a trend for future Network releases, in respect of which, fans of cult TV have since become eternally grateful.
With the advent of DVD, Simon and I then assisted Network in 2005 with the series' production on this format in our own, unique ways - Simon with his magical, and lovingly put-together booklets for each series, entitled, 'The Story of Catweazle', and I with photos and ephemera for supplementary image galleries etc.
It was at this point that Simon and I, noticing the passion with which each other had compiled our respective contributions, finally got in touch to express mutual appreciation. How apt it was then, that subsequently, our first meeting was to be at the annual village fete at Home Farm in East Clandon. It was no surprise to find that we instantly clicked, almost like we already knew each other from somewhere, and we had remained in touch ever since.
In June 2008, a special Catweazle event was organised by the inimitable Carol Barnes to take place at the East Clandon fete, reuniting more original cast members than ever before. I went along with the intention of documenting the day, in the hope that I might find an outlet for an article about the event for the series' 40th anniversary in 2010. I arrived to find a slightly anxious Simon, having received a somewhat impromptu request to assist in hosting the Q&A. However, when the event began, it became instantly apparent that he was the consummate host, his knowledge of all things Catweazle being virtually encyclopedic; and of course, he was already known to the guests through his previous work, especially to Geoffrey, Robin and writer, Richard 'Kip' Carpenter, which instantly put the participants at ease, and gave the whole discussion a certain spontaneity.
When Network began to plan their 40th anniversary DVD set of Catweazle, I was delighted to have my photos from that day and resultant article included in a booklet to accompany the series entitled, 'The Magic Book', featuring a revised compilation of Simon's previous essays for Network. I remember what an absolute joy it was to have my work appearing alongside Simon's, focusing together upon one of our most cherished subjects.
I later discovered that Simon and I not only shared mutual friends (even from our teenage years), but also so many mutual interests as to beggar belief, such as music (both composition and appreciation, ranging from Ravel through to 1960s, '70s and '80s pop), classic TV and cinema, teenage pop culture, and even things a little more obscure like '70s skate culture, sharing films and memories of our sidewalk surfing days as young teenagers at the South Bank, Skate City and Meanwhile Gardens (if only we'd known each other back then). At one point we even discussed getting back on our skateboards together some day, and maybe breaking a few bones for old times' sake. What fun we thought!
I can honestly say that I never came across anyone that I shared more in common with in my entire life than I did with dear Simon. We truly were kindred spirits.
I deeply admired how Simon took his passions to the next level, with poetry, magazine articles, radio and TV appearances, and best-selling books about the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Mod culture (particularly his exemplary Quadrophenia books) and even Charles Manson.
More recently, I was privileged to be given the chance by Alan Hayes to write once again about the Catweazle phenomenon along with Simon, and to reflect upon my 40th anniversary piece with the perspective afforded us by its 50th, in the book, 'Tis Magic'. As always, Simon presented us with the most beautiful reflective piece, entitled, 'For the Love of Catweazle'. Needless to say that with his passing, this book has now gained even greater significance and sentimental value to me.
Simon contacted me out of the blue just a few days before he passed away. He began with an observation we'd made so many times before, beginning, "we are so alike...", and citing a Beach Boys' song I'd posted on Facebook back in September, stating that he too thought that the song, 'Summer's Gone' is up there with their finest. He concluded the message by sending me a link to another track from the same album entitled, 'Pacific Coast Highway', simply stating that it had brought him to tears the first time he heard it. With hindsight, its poignancy is clear, not least because the very last word of the song is, "goodbye".
This was the last message I received from my dear friend. Like many, I am still trying to process the thought that he is gone, and my heart goes out to his family, and all who loved him. One need only have witnessed the immediate outpouring of shock and sadness online from all the people whose lives he touched, to realise what a profoundly respected and deeply loved man he was.
I will miss our chats, and having someone around who understands my often obscure passions like no other. I will miss his knowledge, his enthusiasm, his intelligence, his wit, his kindness, and above all, his humanity.
Simon Wells: Brother in Magic. Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.
Aside from Simon's many books on popular culture, his music and his poetry, many of you will know how important his contributions have been to everything Catweazle.
My first encounter with Simon's work was an article in Dreamwatch magazine entitled, 'Magic Moments', published in May 2000 to coincide with the release of Catweazle on VHS by Network Video, which was at that time a media company in its infancy. Included on the release was the documentary, 'Brothers in Magic' featuring the reunion of Geoffrey Bayldon and Robin Davies after almost 30 years, filmed at Home Farm in East Clandon which as many of you will know was the filming location for the first series in the summer of 1969, better known as, 'Hexwood Farm'.
What I did not realise until some time later was that Simon was present at the filming of the documentary, having written to Network's MD, Tim Beddows, and initially suggested he consider Catweazle as part of the fledgling company's catalogue, and being delighted to find that they were most interested in doing so. Simon also suggested that they try to reunite Geoffrey and Robin at the farm in order to embellish the release with a documentary, which certainly began a trend for future Network releases, in respect of which, fans of cult TV have since become eternally grateful.
With the advent of DVD, Simon and I then assisted Network in 2005 with the series' production on this format in our own, unique ways - Simon with his magical, and lovingly put-together booklets for each series, entitled, 'The Story of Catweazle', and I with photos and ephemera for supplementary image galleries etc.
It was at this point that Simon and I, noticing the passion with which each other had compiled our respective contributions, finally got in touch to express mutual appreciation. How apt it was then, that subsequently, our first meeting was to be at the annual village fete at Home Farm in East Clandon. It was no surprise to find that we instantly clicked, almost like we already knew each other from somewhere, and we had remained in touch ever since.
In June 2008, a special Catweazle event was organised by the inimitable Carol Barnes to take place at the East Clandon fete, reuniting more original cast members than ever before. I went along with the intention of documenting the day, in the hope that I might find an outlet for an article about the event for the series' 40th anniversary in 2010. I arrived to find a slightly anxious Simon, having received a somewhat impromptu request to assist in hosting the Q&A. However, when the event began, it became instantly apparent that he was the consummate host, his knowledge of all things Catweazle being virtually encyclopedic; and of course, he was already known to the guests through his previous work, especially to Geoffrey, Robin and writer, Richard 'Kip' Carpenter, which instantly put the participants at ease, and gave the whole discussion a certain spontaneity.
When Network began to plan their 40th anniversary DVD set of Catweazle, I was delighted to have my photos from that day and resultant article included in a booklet to accompany the series entitled, 'The Magic Book', featuring a revised compilation of Simon's previous essays for Network. I remember what an absolute joy it was to have my work appearing alongside Simon's, focusing together upon one of our most cherished subjects.
I later discovered that Simon and I not only shared mutual friends (even from our teenage years), but also so many mutual interests as to beggar belief, such as music (both composition and appreciation, ranging from Ravel through to 1960s, '70s and '80s pop), classic TV and cinema, teenage pop culture, and even things a little more obscure like '70s skate culture, sharing films and memories of our sidewalk surfing days as young teenagers at the South Bank, Skate City and Meanwhile Gardens (if only we'd known each other back then). At one point we even discussed getting back on our skateboards together some day, and maybe breaking a few bones for old times' sake. What fun we thought!
I can honestly say that I never came across anyone that I shared more in common with in my entire life than I did with dear Simon. We truly were kindred spirits.
I deeply admired how Simon took his passions to the next level, with poetry, magazine articles, radio and TV appearances, and best-selling books about the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Mod culture (particularly his exemplary Quadrophenia books) and even Charles Manson.
More recently, I was privileged to be given the chance by Alan Hayes to write once again about the Catweazle phenomenon along with Simon, and to reflect upon my 40th anniversary piece with the perspective afforded us by its 50th, in the book, 'Tis Magic'. As always, Simon presented us with the most beautiful reflective piece, entitled, 'For the Love of Catweazle'. Needless to say that with his passing, this book has now gained even greater significance and sentimental value to me.
Simon contacted me out of the blue just a few days before he passed away. He began with an observation we'd made so many times before, beginning, "we are so alike...", and citing a Beach Boys' song I'd posted on Facebook back in September, stating that he too thought that the song, 'Summer's Gone' is up there with their finest. He concluded the message by sending me a link to another track from the same album entitled, 'Pacific Coast Highway', simply stating that it had brought him to tears the first time he heard it. With hindsight, its poignancy is clear, not least because the very last word of the song is, "goodbye".
This was the last message I received from my dear friend. Like many, I am still trying to process the thought that he is gone, and my heart goes out to his family, and all who loved him. One need only have witnessed the immediate outpouring of shock and sadness online from all the people whose lives he touched, to realise what a profoundly respected and deeply loved man he was.
I will miss our chats, and having someone around who understands my often obscure passions like no other. I will miss his knowledge, his enthusiasm, his intelligence, his wit, his kindness, and above all, his humanity.
Simon Wells: Brother in Magic. Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.