In Memoriam

Like the stars may you shine

Be faithful and true

'Til death takes you from us

Or us from you

Water Rat Number 644 - initiated into the Order 22nd January 1967

Proposer: Cyril Dowler Seconder: Johnie Riscoe

Paul Raymond was born Geoffrey Anthony Quinn, the son of a Liverpool haulage contractor on 11th November 1925, he was raised by his mother in Glossop where he was educated by the Christian Brothers.

He left Glossop at the age of 17 determined to break into show business, and at the age of 22 changed his name when he had his first break, taking over a mind-reading act on Clacton pier.

He discovered that his real talent was as a producer and toured Britain with a vaudeville show featuring topless women standing still as statues. This was to comply with a ruling by the Lord Chancellor, who oversaw theatre licensing, forbidding any movement by nudes on stage.

His breakthrough came when he discovered that private clubs were not covered by the Lord Chancellor’s ruling, and in 1958 he opened his flagship members-only club, the Raymond Revuebar, with glamorous stage shows including female striptease. It was an instant success, attracting a clientele of the flash, the fashionable and the louche.

By now Raymond was married to Jean, a former dancer, and had two children, Howard and Debbie. He already had a son, Derry, by an earlier relationship, although he parted with Derry’s mother before the birth and it was many years before he met the boy.

He bought the Whitehall Theatre in the West End in the late 1960s and used it to stage a series of saucy farces including "Yes, We Have No Pyjamas". He invented the market for top shelf, glossy porn magazines with the launch of 'Men Only' magazine in 1971, followed by 'Club International' in 1972. Raymond always maintained that his publications had serious factual content and that he was a showman, not a pornographer.

His marriage ended in 1974 after his affair with Fiona Richmond, a swimmer and model who appeared in his stage shows and magazines, became public knowledge.

When the police cracked down on sex shops in Soho in 1977 and many were forced to close, Raymond took advantage of falling property prices to buy up the freeholds of whole streets. He is understood to own 60 of the 87 acres of Soho, including much of the north side of Old Compton Street, properties in Romilly and Greek streets, and part of Archer Street where his Paul Raymond Organisation is based. Raymond himself was a familiar sight in Soho, rolling up outside the club in a Rolls-Royce and fur coat.

Raymond groomed his daughter Debbie to take over the running of his businesses until her death from an apparently accidental drugs overdose in 1992, at the age of 36. Always reluctant to enter the limelight, after this he became a virtual recluse in his London penthouse flat behind the Ritz His business interests are now overseen by a nephew, Mark Quinn.

Water Rat Number 841- initiated into the Order 2nd November 2003

Proposer: Roy Hudd Seconder: Wyn Calvin

Jeremy Beadle was born in Hackney, east London, on 12th April 1948. The offspring of an extra-marital affair between his mother and a newspaper journalist father he never knew. He had Poland's syndrome at birth, which left him with a withered right hand, with the fingers joined to each other - and a future involving several operations. His background helped produce a brash, assertive personality, though with a very large measure of benevolence.

Having failed his 11-plus, Beadle went to Orpington secondary modern school, easing the boredom by joining CND marches, working for Oxfam and playing a pantomime dame for a youth club. In his report, a teacher declared that he had gifts, but not the self-discipline to use them. Eventually, he was expelled. He was then sacked from a series of menial jobs, including one as messenger for a magazine group whose leisure trips he boosted by once running into the sea with all his clothes on. Practical jokes on colleagues became a speciality, until workmates got their revenge by stealing his clothes and leaving him naked in front of 400 women arriving for their shift.

After pursuing a girlfriend to Germany, he got a job as a lavatory cleaner. He returned home to produce charity gigs in Orpington civic hall, then went to Brighton, where he set himself up as a street photographer before starting a listings magazine, What's on in Brighton, and writing its TV column. This led to him joining Time Out, and attempting unsuccessfully to set up a northern office.

He began supplying odd facts and questions to radio and television game shows such as Celebrity Squares. As a radio presenter he began on BBC Radio 3 and later on BBC Radio 4 becoming chairman of Animal, Vegetable, Mineral? On Capital Radio he presented Beadle's Odditarium, a music show concentrating on strange, bizarre and rare recordings all taken from the archives of producer Phil Swern. He also became renowned for his off-air pranks and intellectually challenging quizzes. He wrote, devised and presented many television pilots for the highly successful game show company Action Time. He wrote and became accidental presenter of The Deceivers a BBC2 television series recounting the history of swindlers and hoaxers. The success of this led to using the same format for Eureka which told the background behind everyday inventions. He then went on to become nationally famous as one of the presenters of LWT's Game for a Laugh (along with Matthew Kelly, Henry Kelly and Sarah Kennedy),a pivotal show in the history of British television since it was the first time ITV 'won' the Saturday night ratings battle. This was followed by a hidden-camera style practical joke show, Beadle's About (1987-1996) which became the world's longest continuously-running hidden camera show. From 1990 he wrote and presented You've Been Framed!, a family show featuring humorous clips from viewers' home video recordings. In total Beadle hit the UK Number One ratings slot four times. As well as his considerable television output as writer, presenter and producer he appeared in numerous pantomimes and acted as ring master for many circuses notably for Gerry Cottle. He also worked as a consultant for many television companies, wrote books and presented quizzes both commercially and for charity.

To his credit, Beadle never forgot his early difficulties, and put some of the memories to good use. He became a patron of Reach, the charity for children with missing fingers, hands and arms. He would tell sufferers that it was not the size of their hands that mattered "but the size of your heart"

In recent years he battled with poor health after being diagnosed with a mild form of leukaemia in 2005. He also had a cancerous kidney removed. However, he attracted funds for Children with Leukaemia throughout his life and is thought to have raised more than £100 million for all charities. He was a supporter of the Foundation for Children with Leukaemia, part of the reason he was awarded an MBE in 2001.

He is survived by his wife Sue, his daughters Cassie and Bonnie, and stepchildren Leo and Claire.

Water Rat Number 718 - initiated into the Order 28th January 1979.

Proposer: Len Lowe. Seconder: Don Ross

Barry's versatility provided him with many opportunities to appear with equal success in films, TV and the theatre. From the days of “Dixon of Dock Green” and the “Carry On” films to “Teahouse of the August Moon” on the West End stage.

Barry began his career at the age of 7 when he went to the Joan Morris School of Dancing, in his home town of Woking, where he excelled at Tap dancing and became known as “Twinkletoes Gosney” He won a scholarship to the Cone Ripman School of Acting.

In 1938 he got his first professional job at the Duke of York’s Theatre, London, in “The Boy Who Lost His Temper”. This was followed in 1939 when he appeared as Ivor Novello’s son in “The Dancing Years” – a part which he outgrew!

During the Second World War Barry joined the Royal Navy and was drafted to a destroyer based at Malta. Whilst on service he was engaged by Arthur Lane to appear in his Forces show “Tokyo Express”, which toured throughout Britain, Europe and Canada. After the war Barry continued to work for Arthur Lane in “Calypso” at the Playhouse Theatre, London. Then came a period in rep. It was whilst at the Amersham Rep that he met and married his first wife Jennifer Walton with whom he had two children, Jamie & Clare.

Many West End Shows followed – including “Harmony Close”, “For Amusement Only” and “Come Spy With Me” with brother Water Rat Danny La Rue.

Barry directed and acted for Peter Haddon and Arthur Lane at the Wimbledon Theatre and spent many years as regular Dame in the Theatre Royal, Windsor, pantomimes. He also worked as Dame for Paul Elliott.

Barrie’s career has lead him into countless film and television productions. It was whilst on a “Basil Brush” series that he met his second wife, Jacqueline Clarke, and a partnership in light entertainment, Music Hall, National and International tours and West End shows ensued … all thanks to Ray Cooney and Derek Nimmo. Barry also spent many happy productions at The Mill at Sonning.

His TV credits included four series of the Harry Hill Show and with Al Murray in “Time Gentlemen Please”. At the age of 80 he found himself playing Ken Ford, the joy of sex man, in the Harry Hill’s TV Burp. Barry’s last stage appearance was in a charity show at the Mill at Sonning in 2007, where “with the smell of greasepaint and the roar of the crowd” he made his final bow.

Water Rat Number 769. Initiated into the Order 19th November 1989

Proposer: Michael Robbins Seconder: Charlie Smithers

Terry’s career as a stage and club comedian allowed him to hone his comic timing, and no-one could rival him when it came to his comedic speciality- “The Drunk Act”. His routine as a drunk, returning home from a long night on the tiles was astonishing in its truthfulness and in the number of sight gags he could wring out of a battered suitcase of props. In fact, when I worked with Terry during a Music Hall at the Kenneth More Theatre, so convincing was his act that he almost didn’t get the opportunity to perform it! He would enter from the auditorium, rolling and staggering, engaging in banter with the audience before eventually making his way up on to the stage. An over zealous usherette spotted this trouble maker as he stumbled into the auditorium, and, enlisting help, attempted to eject him from the theatre!

Terry’s film and television work included the Terence Stamp and Carol White film “Poor Cow” in 1967, a year in which he also appeared in the prestigious “Wednesday Play” on television, “An Officer Of The Court” and in “Profile Of A Gentleman”. In 1969 he made an appearance in “Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)., and in the film “A Nice Girl Like Me”. Fans of “On The Buses” looked forward to spoting Terry appearing in various roles, often opposite his wife, the actress Anna Karen, playing “Olive”. In 1970 he appeared in the Hammer Film “The Horror Of Frankenstein”, followed in 1971 with the film “Family Life”. He also found time to appear in variety and clubs, as well as panto appearances. He appeared in BBC’s “Dixon Of Dock Green” in 1972 and again in 1974, and appeared with Anna again in the 1976 film “A Place To Hide”  followed by appearing with his wife in the 1977 film “What’s Up Nurse?”,” and the horror film “Schizo”.

Terry  arrived at Grace Brothers’ store in 1977 to play a cameo in “Are You Being Served” opposite John Inman and Trevor Bannister, and  continued to appear in theatre throughout the eighties, along with appearances on television in “Poirot” and “A Class Act”, as well as “Murder By Decree”.

He wrote the Shaw Theatre’s “Aladdin” in 1986 which starred Anna, along with Norman Beaton, Debbie Bishop and Martin Chamberlain, and over the years has been instrumental in providing material, gags and very sound comic advice to pantomime artistes.

Terry was married to Anna for 40 years; he was a member of the Grand Order Of Water Rats, and was a great support to Anna when she, as a member of the Grand Order of Lady Ratlings, was elected “Queen Ratling” in 1990.

I am proud to have had Terry as a friend, and deeply indebted to him for all the “fine tuning” and practical advice he gave when it came to writing or performing in a routine or a “scena”- He could be relied on for the perfect joke or bit of comic business that was missing from a routine, and would go to great lengths to ensure every last piece of comic potential could be extracted from a gag or even a word.

Nigel Ellacott

King Rat and all Terry’s Brother Water Rats thank Nigel for his notice and agree with him that Terry will be greatly missed by his many friends both in the profession and amongst his fans.

Companion Water Rat Number 684. Initiated into the Order 7th November 1971

William Frederick Cotton was born in London on 23rd April 1928 with show business in his blood. His father was the famous Band Leader Billy Cotton who kicked off his massively successful BBC show in the 1950’ with the cry of “Wakey, Wakey!”

Young Bill was educated at Ardingly College with his brother Ted –“it made Bleak House look like a holiday camp.” He turned down the chance to go to Cambridge. Instead he went to work for Noel Gay as a song plugger. Having learned the music trade he borrowed £1,000 from his father and set up Michael Riene Music with partner Johnny Johnston. In 1956 he joined the BBC as a producer.He worked initially on the Six-Five Special with Tommy Steele. Many other performers have been grateful for his faith in their talent; Russ Conway, Dave Allen, Des O’Connor and Cilla Black to name but a few.

In 1962 he was promoted to Assistant Head of Light Entertainment. One of his first signings was the Two Ronnie’s. Their contract was for 13 weeks. It continued for nearly 20 years! Sir Bill also spotted a reporter named Michael Parkinson and signed him as the chat show host of Parkinson which became an instant hit and ran until well after Sir Bill’s retirement.In 1968 after Morecambe & Wise had a disagreement with their boss Sir Lew Grade, Sir Bill signed them up. Much later he said he had paid far more for their act than they were worth but their success more than repaid his initial investment.

In the Netherlands he paid the princely sum of £25 for the rights of a game-show called One Out Of Eight. Sir Bill persuaded an initially reluctant Bruce Forsyth to front the re-named show – The Generation Game. Bruce said the show “changed my life, Bill was responsible for what I think was the golden age of the business. He knew about Television and he knew what the public wanted and he gave them what they wanted. He also knew how to treat performers – and even how to get them to do things even if they didn’t want to. He talked them into it because he knew it would be good for them and the show.” Bill championed a show which many said it might cause offence – Dad’s Army. David Croft and Jimmy Perry who created the show said it was only Bill’s belief in the show and his “nose for a hit” that won through..

During his period as Head of Satellite Broadcasting the BBC entered the ‘soap ear’ and Sir Bill oversaw the production of “East Enders” and daytime TV. In 1982 he was finally appointed Managing Director of BBC TV. However, he found his time in management frustrating. He did not like the bureaucracy and endless meetings.

He was a programme maker and that was his great ability. Sir Bill left the BBC in 1988 but continued to work in various roles including Chairman of the ITV company Meridian and, in 1992, President of the Royal Television Society. In 1998 Sir Bill was awarded The Academy Fellowship the highest accolade given by the British Film and Television Academy. Mark Thompson, the currant Director General of the BBC, said that “Bill Cotton was one of the giants of BBC Television who for nearly three decades brought countless programmes to the screen which themselves became legends. He was both a great impresario and also a passionate believer in public service broadcasting.”

Sir Bill was a Vice President of the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity, a charity for which his wife Kate works tirelessly. He was made a Knight Bachelor in 2001.

Sir Bill was married three time and had three daughters and a step-daughter.

Water Rat Number: 827. Initiated into the Order on 23 September 2001

Proposer: Past King Rat Wyn Calvin. Seconder: Past King Rat Roy Hudd

The following Eulogy was written by and spoken, at Will’s funeral, by Past King Rat Roy Hudd:

When I first heard the sad news about Will I just couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe Will’s age. He never seemed old. Every time we bumped into each other he looked exactly the same. He never aged. Perhaps it was because he never really grew up. That was why I liked him - I liked his piano playing, his musical arrangements, his ideas, his love of the music hall and his sense of humour. Apparently that was something he’d always had - His mother used to tell a story about Will, as a little lad, wanting a set of drums. She told him, “Sorry – you know Daddy doesn’t like a lot of noise when he’s at home.” Young Will replied, “But I’ll only play them when he’s asleep.” He got the drum kit.

He never intended to be a musician though he was good at it . His father, wisely, advised him, “Always stick with the piano playing son. You never know when it might come in handy.” Indeed he began by giving Sunday concerts at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh during the War as well as playing for the great Will senior to the front line troops in North Africa and Italy. He wanted to be a film cameraman and he became one till 1949 when the the recession in the movie industry meant he had to go back to his piano playing. It certainly did come in handy then and for the next well over fifty years.

During the golden years of variety he became, without doubt, the musical director everyone wanted. The list of his satisfied clients is a who’s who of show business. Allan Jones, Evelyn Laye, Frankie Vaughan, Petula Clark and, perhaps most specially, the eccentric, and magnificent, Josef Locke – what a team they were. So much so that when the story of Jo Locke’s life, Hear My Song was chosen for the Royal Film Performance Will was there to play when Jo Locke sang to Princess Diana.

Will and I really got to know each other in panto, Dick Whittington in Richmond. What a cast that was. Richard Murdoch, Hugh Lloyd, The great Jack Tripp as Dame, Honor Blackman as Queen Rat, June Whitfield as the Fairy, John Hanson as the Sultan of Morocco, Anthea as the Cat and Will as musical director. I think, possibly, the best pantomime team ever. It was then, I realised, that he had something special that most musical directors don’t have. Of course he accompanied like a dream but after about six weeks of twice a day pantomime, you do become rather jaded – you start to forget wether it’s a matinee or an evening and you start to hate not only kids but their Mums and Dads as well. You look at the conductor who, ninety nine times out of a hundred, looks as bored as you are and it becomes hard hard work. When you walked on and looked at Will you got a beaming smile back, an expression that said, “Come on kid. This lot have never seen it before. Give it all you’ve got.” And you did!

Apart from his time with Josef Locke Will had two other great show business partnerships. First - hIs years with Ronnie Hilton. He loved these and told me Ronnie was a lovely bloke but a real sucker when it came to charities. He told me how he, Ronnie, was talked into presenting some prizes at a Red Cross meeting. They were greeted by the President of the Red Cross, the Countess of Malmsebury. Shaking Ronnie by the hand she said, “I’ve so enjoyed listening to your gramophone recordings many times Mr. Hilton.” And turning to Will said, “And of course I saw, and admired your father, Will Fyffe, whenever I saw him at the London Palladium.” They had a couple of glasses of sherry and her Ladyship introduced them to the audience: “Ladies and gentlemen here is that famous star of radio and television – Mr. Roland Hill.” Ronnie, as was his wont, accepted this without a word. Will, as was his wont, just about suppressed a huge laugh but shut up when she carried on, “and with him is his friend and pianist, the son of the very famous Scottish comedian – Harry Lauder junior!)

I don’t think, like so many other offspring of famous people, he resented his Dad. All I remember him saying was what a wonderful actor Will senior was. He was always so anxious to show everyone just how far ahead of his contemporaries his father was when it came to real film acting. He was always interested in film and he got together a terrific print of Owd Bob – (he thought one of his dad’s greatest roles and he was so happy to show it to anyone he thought would appreciate it. I saw it, with his admiring running commentary, about half a dozen times. Will junior was right – his Dad, like him, was a one off.

The only other person I knew who had similar great affection for their Dad was Anthea Askey. Will must have spotted a like soul because their relationship turned into his third great partnership. Anthea and Will paired up and brought great joy to each other and everyone who saw them - on and off stage. Their joint Presidency of the Somerset & West Music Hall Society was a great period for music hall in this country and lasted till Anthea’s sad exit nine years ago.

A couple of years back I had to go to Gleneagles Hotel to be part of a firms “do” for Dulux paint and I thought perhaps that Will might like to come and play for me. Back to Scotland and all that. He, myself and my wife arrived and I registered at the desk. The man behind the desk, who I swear played Fraser in Dad’s Army, looked at me as if I should have used the tradesmans entrance and commented “Ah you’ll be the turn.” I said “Yes” and, although he didn’t quite say, “We’re all doomed!” I knew that’s what he meant. He registered us two and then said , “Anyone else?” I said, “Yes,” and gave him Will’s card. It stopped him dead in his tracks. He looked at the name and said “Will Fyffe? Will Fyffe? Is he here?” I said, “He’s over there.” It was as if the clouds had scudded away and the sun beamed down. That craggy old disapproving face broke into the broadest of smiles. “Well, well, well, “ he said. “Will Fyffe.” I said, “Well it’s not Will Fyffe the singer of “I Belong To Glasgow” you know.” “I know that mon” he said. “Will Fyffe senior was the finest music hall minstrel and film actor of them all but Will Fyffe junior was the best musical director the Gaiety Ayr ever had.” And with that the whole atmosphere changed. Debbie and I were immediately upgraded – but Will got a suite!

The hotel put on a fabulous firework display that night- for Dulux paint-and Debbie, Will and I watched it from armchairs on the balcony of Will’s suite. We then spent the next wonderful few hours talking, laughing and swopping gossip – and boy did he know some! It was where I learned so many stories, repeatable and unrepeatable, from Wills vast collection. It was an evening that I wish had gone on forever. And Will’s life was one that I wish had gone on forever too.

Thank you Will, sleep well.

Past King Rat Roy Hudd

Register Number: 668. Initiated into the Order 6 June 1968

As the son of Sir Billy Butlin, Bobby was groomed for the family business. As a child he spent numerous holidays at all the holiday camps and even worked as a Redcoat in 1951.

Sir Billy was a hard taskmaster, but Bobby had a natural ability and worked hard in all branches of the business. When his father retired in 1968 Bobby was the obvious choice to take over as head of the organisation. At that time Bobby saw the threat from the new cheap flights to Spain and Greece and realised that the traditional holiday camps needed updating; with his hands-on attitude, a charismatic personality and shrewd business sense he was ready for the challenge. With his good looks and boyish charm it was not unusual to find him visiting various camps unannounced and chatting with the holiday makers whilst eating fish and chips from a newspaper. On the more formal occasions an entourage of staff would follow him around giving an almost regal atmosphere.

One of his first major changes was to get rid of the dreaded early morning “Wakey, Wakey Campers” call. He also engaged first rate entertainers such as Bob Monkhouse, Ted Rogers and Ken Dodd, to entertain at the late-night cabarets. He also instigated an aggressive advertising campaign to lure new and old holiday makers to Butlins’ nine camps. He also introduced self-catering – much to the horror of his father, who believed that families did not want to cook on holiday. In 1969 Bobby banned single-sex bookings at all the camps to prevent groups of youngsters from upsetting the family atmosphere, but five years later the organisation attracted unwanted publicity when an over zealous Personnel Manager at the Barry Island camp enclosed a note in the staff wage packets accusing them of “promiscuity particularly with the campers” [one can’t help but remember Gladys Pugh in “Hi Di Hi”]. An overzealous kitchen porter leaked the note to a Sunday tabloid newspaper and within hours crowds gathered outside the camp to peer though the fence in the hope of seeing an orgy. Recalling the incident later, Bobby sighed “I suppose sex and holiday camps are destined for one another”.

In 1972 he oversaw the sale of the Butlin camps to the Rank organisation for £43 million. However, the company continued to expand with many of the camps being refurbished and new hotels purchased.

Sir Billy died in 1980. Four years later Bobby retired; by which time many of the camps had closed down. Bobby spent the rest of his life actively involved with the charitable work not only of the Butlin Charitable Trust but also of the Variety Club, the Vaudeville Golfing Society and the Grand Order of Water Rats of which he was a Companion.

Water Rat Number: 572. Initiated into the Order 21 January 1979

Proposer: Albie Keen. Seconder: Johnnie Riscoe

Pat Mooney, whose real name was Thomas Smith, was born in Stockman’s Lane, Belfast. When Pat became a professional entertainer there was already an established performer called Tom Smith. Hence the change of name; but Pat told his wife that he always regretted having to change his name because a Tom Smith was the inventor of the Christmas Cracker in the late 1830’s.

Pat came to England in 1952 and settled in Liverpool where he worked with a firm of Shipping Brokers. However, during evenings and week-ends he honed his skills as an entertainer in clubs and hotels around the area. His first performance listed in The Stage newspaper was at the Dove and Olive Hotel in Speke, in July 1958.

From that time until 2002, when he was forced to retire due to ill health the name of Pat Mooney, or “Blarney From Killarney” as he was known, was rarely missing from that newspapers listings.

Pat gained general public recognition in the iconic TV show ‘The Comedians’ together with other Water Rats - Frank Carson, Roy Walker, Tom O’Connor and Ken Goodwin. He also made many appearances on ‘The Good Old Days’. Most entertainers like to have a recognisable ‘gimmick’; Pat’s was a wonderful Irish green suit.

Dick Ray engaged Pat on numerous occasions at many venues in Jersey especially at Caesar’s Palace and often working with Stuart Gillies and Diana Cousins. In fact he began the popular The Monday Club’, which enabled entertainers on the island to meet on a social basis.

For the last twenty five years of his career he worked extensively on cruise liners especially the Canberra (where he met his wife Jean), the QE 2, the Queen Mary 2 and the Coronia. Colin Parker from Parker Entertainments said “Pat was a consummate professional and a true family entertainer who never offended and always judged his audience to perfection leaving them in fits of laughter”

People loved talking to Pat and hearing his numerous stories of working around the world. He claimed to have travelled around the globe 25 times. This was a fact rather than a boast.

Jean will be taking Pat’s ashes back to Ireland to place them with his parents.