Allen Smethurst :The Singing Postman

[@TA-ix7dx]

A blue plaque does now exist in the High St at Sherringham on the was of the Robin Hood Public House 🏠 👌 😎

[@alittlebitofhistory]

Brilliant thank you for letting me know, I have pinned your comment so others can see as well.

[@siouxhartley4323]

Wow! Thanks for posting really was just confirming I remembered correctly but got totally absorbed and we both stayed to the end which is unusual. Thanks, nicely done!😊

[@nevillesisson3205]

Note: Cleethorpes is in Lincolnshire, not Lancashire.

[@TheAx504]

I picked up one of his vinyl records recently here in the US. A great addition to my collection. I grew up in the UK and remember his songs and watching him on TV.

[@DubzCo]

This documentary will have millions of plays one day

[@alittlebitofhistory]

I'm not quite shore about that but thank you for the vote of confidence, I'm glad you liked it.

[@bradleyholland4881]

I spent my teenage summer holidays from 1957 to 63 in the Sheringham area and every day walked over Beeston Bump, from where your photo of Sheringham was taken. At the promenade end of the High St was an amusement arcade with a duke box with Lonnie Donagan’s “Robert E Lee”and “ Seven Golden Daffodils” that took thru’penny bits. I found your well researched and sympathetic documentary on the life and career of Allen Smethurst fascinating and moving. Who could forget his sound coming over the radio! My cousins sounded just like him. Thank you for reviving foundational memories.

[@ckcuddihy]

I still find my self sing this bloody song from time to time. It became a standard shout out in my local Pub the engineers arms in Leiston. Thanks for sharing

[@Agathanagatha]

I lived in sheringham and now London I make my friends laugh sing his songs

[@adrianrutterford762]

I remember seeing The Singing Postman at a fete in Lakenheath in the early 60s. Thank you for your video.

[@TaLesOfTheDoXie]

Drinking can really mess you up if you don’t have control over your life. Thank you for sharing his story.😊

[@alittlebitofhistory]

I'm glad you enjoyed. Its nice to know he has now been viewed at least once so far away.

[@DubzCo]

Loved this thanks

[@flashtheoriginal]

Hold yoooo harrrd An East Anglian Legend. And Ralph Tuck was a visionary, think there was a commercial link-up to John Wells of Lowestoft too? Really enjoyed this documentary tribute. And Im going to order the CD Cheeeerio

[@alittlebitofhistory]

There very well might of been a link. Thank you I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@markjinks2598]

They should make a film of his life it would be a lesson to us all , wonderful piece well done 👍🏻 Alan Carr would be ideal to play him, keep em coming

[@greenbank234]

Thank you for making this video. I found it while looking for a British rail advert that featured Allen singing - " When you're travelling on the pay train on the good old British Rail". I couldn't find it and perhaps I've got it completely wrong - it was a very long time ago! Does anyone else remember it?

[@alittlebitofhistory]

Thank you, I'm glad you liked it, I never saw it when making the video or I would of put it in but I just took a look I didn't find what the song was but he did an advert for Eastern rail in 1967. He does have a song called "Railway Song" possibly it was some thing to do with that, maybe slightly re written for the advert.

[@heathstjohn6775]

Almost too sad to remember, but I've always wanted to know more. Thanks very much.

[@charlyrussell539]

Haha I love this! My great grandad grew up with him!

[@paulmahy]

My Nan' was from March and loved The Singing Postman. I remember it (Hev Ew) being played in the house!

[@markjinks2598]

They should do a film of his life , Alan Carr could play him , enjoyed your film well done 👍🏻

[@menelise]

Very interesting, thank you. At about 1:48, however, you say that Jimmie Rogers recorded a number called The Singing Bakerman. This is not so. Rogers was known as The Singing Brakeman (not “bakerman”) and recorded a number called The Brakeman's Blues.

[@steve_k3801]

Could he have been the inspiration for Benny Hill's Fred Scuttle

[@alittlebitofhistory]

Can't say I'm that familiar with the character but have just watched a couple clips, its possible he may of been among the inspirations.

[@chrissythornhill]

Wouldn’t be surprised at all ! Remember the fastest milkman song ?

[@siouxhartley4323]

I can see him now blinking and hands on hips! Disturbing I remember it so clearly😂😂

[@Adge115]

He lived in Peterborough for a short time in the early seventies.

[@electraruby4078]

He was a one off. Unique.

[@xrayjosh]

I think my folks have a few of his singles somewhere! As an aside it's also probably worth a mention that his hero George Formby had a house locally as well, off the Avenues in Wroxham. It was due for demolition for the never started Wroxham bypass and thus was compulsorily purchased, and the terrace and garden were squatted for a short while the following summer whilst its fate was in the balance. Not sure what happened to it, but I'm guessing the council sold it for residential use once again.

[@maria_in_shropshire]

I went on the Belle of the Broads boat trip yesterday and George Formby house was mentioned, it looks lived in….I understand he got in a bit of bother when building it…

[@xrayjosh]

@@maria_in_shropshire Nice way to spend a day! I’m glad to hear it’s being lived in, it looked a lovely house and, as with most of the houses down there, it’s got a lovely garden. I wonder why he got bother though, will have to look into that!

[@DavidKininmonth-g9g]

48, cliff lane now appears to have been demolished and rebuilt as maybe a children's home? I'd love to know where the houses 'I dunno' and ' nor dew I ' where though.

[@TervenQueen]

Alan was called affectionately called Smelly by those that drank with him in the Globe pub in Wisbech

[@andrewstorey3395]

"Paraphone Records"????