The Fenlanders

Back in the 1960's, the Fenlanders, Metheringham's very own band had a brush with fame. At their height, they were one of Lincolnshire's top beat groups who opened the pop concert on Lincoln South Common in May 1966. The line up included The Who, The Kinks, The Small Faces ( and possibly Status Quo).

Band member, Brian Garill remembers:

The band was formed by Kenny Spencer and myself and we were joined by George Byers and Keith Rossington our early sessions took place in the Royal Cinema. Our biggest claim to fame was an appearance on a Radio program called "Down your way", who visited our new practice site (cowshed on my fathers farm) and recorded the “Cowshed Blues” which then went out on national radio, sadly the recording contracts didn’t exactly roll in !! so more practice needed. We operated for a short while as an instrumental band only, Keith left and was replaced by John Reeves (pictured) and Susan(Vocals) and Richard Byers (organ/keyboard) joined, we also had a singer by the name of Brian Mason for a while.

We were out in that format for possibly 18 months or so,George Byers left and was replaced by John Sweeny(Nth Hykeham) for a brief period until he was replaced by John Clarke (Sleaford).We played many venues in that format but not with anyone famous.

We re-named to “The Brotherhood” with myself (bass)John Clarke(drums) Chris Elkington (lead guitar)and John Clare vocals with Alan Garrill as manager and roadie.

The Brotherhood
Brian Garrill - Bass, John Clarke - Drums, Chris Elkington - Lead guitar

We went to greater heights with this format and worked with quite a few famous bands, still rehearsing in the “cowshed”.

We opened the first night at the then new village hall in Metheringham, it was absolutely packed to the roof!! We were into rock & Blues and no one had a better lead guitarist than Chris Elkington he was quite special and we had some great times together as a band.

We were entered in a competition run by lincolnshire standard group to find the best Lincolnshire band (which then included South Humberside) we beat 11 other bands at The drill Hall in Lincoln and I still have the trophy. Part of the prize was to open the pop concert which was held on Lincoln City's ground and not on the common. We were in the company of some very good bands and stayed to watch a few after us, in particular Georgie Fame, we were supporting a band that night at Cleethorpes called The Pretty Things. We played with The Yard Birds, Dave Dee & Co, Unit Four Plus Two. We played many venues throughout the midlands often sleeping in the van.

I left the band to join the Sleaford Band “Dawn & The Dee Jays and stayed with them for a couple of years and then stopped playing regularly.

The Brotherhood carried on for a couple of years before breaking up.

The Brotherhood members have played on in various bands around including Brass Roots and others and a couple of us turn out together on occasions and stand in for other bands etc.

Done some stupid things in my life but none worse than selling that bass!! (The bass was the same type as Paul McCartney used, hence the reference to the decision to sell it).

Brian Garrill

Thanks also to Alan Harding for use of the photos and help in triggering the memories.