Recently I have received quite a few queries about The Band, the Girls and many other interesting questions. Some I can answer but there are always many more I need help with. With this in mind, I have prepared this new section "Questions & Answers", which will enable me to put "On Line" the queries you send in by email, letters, phone call etc with a synopsis of the query.

Keep a look-out for new insertions, and if you can help in any way, please reply to me via the "Email" facility on the "Contents" page, the "Contact Us" feature, by phone or even "Snail Mail" - your bits of info are very important to the continuation of this Site
So to kick things off heres some from my emails.....

Please note - if you are replying to any of these queries, please include the "Query Ref:" number.

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Query Ref:: 002: Name of sender: Terry Atkinson

Would anyone know where Barbara Ellenor was married. Barbara played trombone with Ivy from 1955 to 1957.
Did any of the girls go to her Wedding?

Thank you in anticipation.
Best regards
Terry

Query Ref:: 003: Name of sender: Jeremy Parker
Hi,

I’m interested to find out how long my mom played with the Band? Ella Godwin became Ella Parker after she met my dad Jack Parker in Phil Parker Brass Instruments(My dad was one of the brothers). Does anyone remember Ella Godwin?

They have both gone to be with the Lord.

I was looking through some old photo’s and found some from the Ivy Benson band days. Maybe you would be interested to see some of them?

All the best,

Jeremy M Parker - Warehouse Supervisor

Reply Ref:: 003: Name of sender: Greta (Marshall) Willis

"re. the query from Jeremy Parker regarding his mother, Ella Godwin. She joined the band in 1952 at Butlins camp in Pwhelli, North Wales. I didn't know her long but she was a very good trumpet player and certainly the prettiest girl in the band. Also one of the nicest. I knew she had emigrated to Canada but couldn't find out where, so was never able to get in touch with her. We have lived here since 1957 and now reside in Guelph, Ontario. There is a photo of Ella in the "Photo Gallery" section - the last one of Album No. 22. From the left - Paula Pyke, (drums), Ella and Marilyn (both on trumpet)".

Hi Jeremy,
Thanks so much for your query in my "Questions & Answers ( Ref No:003 above) "- I hope this information is helpful . Greta Willis played Piano with Ivy from 1950 to 1952 and has been the source of many of the stories, facts and other info for this website; all my best wishes to you, Greta - look forward to hearing from you soon.

Brian Ravenhill
Webmaster
www.ivybenson-online.com

Query Ref:: 005: Name of sender: Sheila Pattison

I am looking to find out when a person with the surname of either Curren on Boon played
in the band and whether there is any details or photos of her..

Query Ref:: 006: Name of sender: Kelly Taylor

Hi My mother died last year at the age of 70. Her name was Margaret Mary Johnson and she played in the band. I believe she played lead tenor sax. I was born in 1958 which is when she gave up the band. I have looked through the photos and cant see any of her in the time frame. She would have been about 19 when she joined. Does any one remember her or have any record of her. Photos would be greatly appreciated.

Query Ref:: 007: Name of sender: Laura Sloper (nee Thomas)

I am researching my family history on my paternal side. My Aunt, Betty Thomas, was part of the Ivy Benson Band for many years, and the stories told down the years is that when Betty applied to be in the band she was an accomplished violinist, pianist and harpist. Ivy needed a trombone player - so 6 weeks later (so the story goes) Betty came back as a fully accomplished trombone then trumpet player. Unfortunately she died in March 1966. Her brother, my father died in 1998. I remember her as a very kind lady knowing her for only a short time. My mother has always held her in very high esteem as a talented and compassionate lady. I have some pictures of Betty but sadly none in her days with Ivy Benson. If there are any available that I may have missed I would dearly love to have a copy of them.

Query Ref:: 004: Name of sender: Kelly

Hi There

As promised hope it adds value to your collection. What year do you think this is? Any details - Where, When etc.

Kind regards - Kelly

"Is there anyone out there who recalls Bette Caddy? It is her 79th
birthday on September 10th and she lives alone in an old farm house in
Carmarthenshire".

Biography:
Lista Bette Caddy joined Ivy Benson at the age of 14 in 1944. she was too young to travel abroad so Ivy had her play with a band in Manchester until she was 16 and then she was able to tour with the rest of the band. She was known as the baby of the band as she was so young. She played tenor Sax, accordian, piano and clarinet.
She played with a number of bands over the years. Whilst playing with a band in Gibralter she met her 1st husband Seargent Fox and had two daughters, Lesely and Audrey. Later she divorced and remarried a Mike Griffith, bass player with the Terry Davis Sound and had two more children, Nicola and Paul. She lives on her own in Camarthenshire.

If anyone remembers her it would be fantastic if they could either e-mail me so that I could
pass them on to her or write to me at GWAL Y BLAIDD, STAR CLDEY,
LLANFYRNACH PEMBROKESHIRE SA35 0AW.
Can anyone help Helen give Bette a birthday to remember?

Query Ref:: 009: Name of sender: Don & Sylvia Hampson (Nee England).........

Recently had a great lunch meeting with Sylvia and Don at one of the local hotels - spent about three hours catching up on various bits of news and info for the website; both looking 110% - heres to the next time.

Don would love to make contact with Dennis Sykes, who played Saxophone with his Band (the Ambassadors) in the Huddersfield area during the early 1940's.

Please let me know your email or postal address, Dennis, and I will pass them on.

Hi Brian,

I was looking through the site and noticed your Q & A section, it sparked a conversation between Robey (Buckley - Trumpet) and myself; the outcome was she would also like information regarding Ella Godwin.

Robey joined the band in 1952 and Ella was already there then. She had taken over from June Robinson (Trumpet). Apparently Robey, Ella and Dot England (Trombone) were the young ones (18 year olds!) with the sax section a bit older (20 year olds!). Robey and Ella used to share together, and were great pals.

Robey knew that Ella and her husband both got teaching jobs in Canada, but thats it. She would love any news or information on what happened to Ella.

Looking forward to hearing any news.
Great site, keep up your excellent work.

Thanks.

Now then, Ladies - I'm sure there must be several of you out there who remember these names, and have some stories, photos, or clippings etc to share. As usual, all help with the content of this website would be most welcome.

Brian
Webmaster.

Query Ref:: 011: Name of sender: Ron & Mavis McVey

My wife Mavis and I are ex pat Brits living in London, Ontario and remember seeing the Ivy Benson orchestra in the late 1940's early 50's in either Liverpool or New Brighton.

For the past 10 years we have wintered in Destin, Florida and have been entertained at both the Destin Snowbird Club and this past year at the Walton County Snowbird Club by a local group called Tall Cotton and the leader played trombone who played with the orchestra. I thought her name was Hazel..............? but I do not see her listed in the biographies unless her name was Pam Hubbard.

Can you enlighten us please?

Thank you

Hello Ron & Mavis
Thanks for the query. It's quite possible that the persons name you are looking for has not asked me to put up her Biography from those Dance Band Days - but - it is possible that the name might be Hazel Cooper who played Trombone 1957 to 1962. The last I heard (some time ago) was that she lived somewhere in Florida - could this be coincidence??? If you find any further info please let me know.

Brian Ravenhill
Webmaster.

PS: Just received this email as further confirmation:

Name of sender: Pauline Bingham Ref 011(Played Trumpet) - Information for Ron and Mavis:
My pal Hazel Cooper, Trombone player, is the one who has band TALL COTTON. Hazel lives near Destin FL. and plays a lot in that area.

Query Ref:: 012:

Name of sender: Greta (Marshall) Willis (Piano - 1950 to 1952)

I am wondering if anyone knows the whereabouts of Iris Trayner? For some reason she was known as "Mac", probably to differentiate her from the other Iris in the band, Iris Long, guitar (also known as "Fagin"). Mac was a photographer's model,a beautiful girl who played clarinet for 6 weeks at the Tabaris nightclub in Dusseldorf in 1951 or 1952. She said she wanted to find out what playing in a girls' band was like! I heard many years ago that she was a psychiatrist in Scotland, but the story was not confirmed.

Sorry, Greta - I have checked my records but don't have an reference for the names above. Perhaps there is someone reading this who can help; - Brian

PS: Just received your last email ( 28 June) regarding Iris - very sorry but no further infomation as yet. Kindest regards - Brian.