Julius Thurgood. Cars, Guitars, Ned Callan, Peter Cook, Peter green, Tom Newman and a whole load more!!

 Well, this is indeed a bumper packed post!!

I know of Julius Thurgood from a classic car perspective and on the racetrack, as well as his involvement with The Historic Racing Drivers Club.

Historic Racing Drivers Club

I had a contact from him regarding a Ned Callan and the following email contained some very interesting content and details. Well written and entertaining, I got a second one with even more info and images.

I asked if I could post it up on the blog, as I knew there would be interest in his  story and images. . . . so here we go. . . . take it away, Julius! 👌

Hello Eric.

 Good to make contact with you.

Have always enjoyed your blog!

 NED CALLAN

I was brought up in West London and consequently hung around with the likes of Ted McDowell who occasionally played with Tom Newman and the Tomcats (Ealing Town Hall gigs) and worked for Peter Cook.

Tempo Music in West Ealing was a regular haunt and that’s where I saw the early Ned Callan guitars (including a green Les Paul that Peter Cook had made). Hence my interest in ‘Ealing’ guitars.

I always wanted to add to my small Fenton Weill collection (I bought my first Fenton Weill guitar as a schoolboy from Henry Weill in ‘kit’ form for £5.00. Fenton Weill’s emporium was close to my school), as Peter Cook has always been a bit of a guitar hero.

I later went to work for Sid Watkins at Watkins Electrical Music (a short-lived employment!).

I’ve owned the Ned Callans for a quite few years and the SG-shaped version has just been restored by Brian Eastwood, having previously been modified with twin humbuckers and a horrendous Perspex custom scratch plate. We took a lot of care to restore it correctly and Brian has made a lovely job of it.

The Salisbury has survived in original condition. However, it is currently in storage and I do not have better photos of it to hand.

 I used to run the ‘COYS ROCK’ guitar sales.

Notable guitars were one of the John Entwistle Fender Jazz basses and the ex-Duster Bennet / Peter Green / Eric Clapton / BB King / Muddy Waters 1952 Gold Top Les Paul, which I think is now in a French Collection.

 My collection has been considerably thinned down as my son swapped quite a few in a deal to obtain his stunning 1963 Gibson 335. But I drew the line at my Ned Callan and Fenton Weill guitars going in that deal!

All the best,

Julius.

Well, that will do for part one - Part two will be posted as soon as I can.

Cheers. 😊