South Yorkshire Times, May 30th, 1970
Prison Is Next ‘Gig’
Since they began playing together over five years ago, Brampton pop group, The Turnstyles have played at a wide variety of “gigs”, but their latest engagement is certainly the most unusual. This latest booking is for a charity concert at Wakefield prison in June, when they will entertain the prisoners with one and a half hours of first-class music – worthy of any top-of-the-bill groups.
The group’s manager, Mr. Bernard Firth of Cliffe Road, Brampton, said the concert is the first to be held at the prison. “The group have been visiting the prisoner officers’ club for two years, and their popularity has grown with each visit,” said Mr. Firth.
It was during one of these visits that one of the social club’s organisers, Mr. Shotton, suggested a concert for the prisoners, says Mr. Firth.
“The prison Governor was hesitant at first and negotiations for this concert have been going on for six months. Then the Governor finally agreed to a concert.
“Repairs to an old church which is to be used for the concert have been completed and I think it is this which has helped to persuade the Governor”. said Mr. Firth.
The church is inside the prison walls but the group does not yet know how many of the 800 prisoners will be in the audience.
“On previous visits to the social club,” “says Mr. Firth, “the group have used a prison cell as a changing room.”
The group which consists of four talented musicians Phil Firth, Stephen Parkin, Phil Drury and ‘Haz’ Haywood, and a vivacious blonde singer, Joan Vaughan, have an extensive repertoire.
“The group will also be ‘revisiting’ some of the songs they did when they first began” said Mr. Firth. “These are songs in the Woody Guthrie vein. They will probably bring them up to date and give them the “harmony type setting they do so well.”
Success in another sphere also came the group’s way a few weeks ago, when they travelled to Manchester to record some songs to be used on Radio One programme at a later date.