1964
On the banks of the Avon River, three friends decided to go skinny dipping early one summer evening. The spot they chose was known as the Rec, short for recreation ground. The time was quiet, the sun still shone, and the air was warm. The Avon River was a popular gathering place for locals and tourists alike.
While the boys swam naked in the river, three girls arrived at the grassy area on the riverbank. They sat down and unpacked what appeared to be a picnic lunch, only a few yards from where the boys’ clothes lay. The friends watched in mild panic, realising too late that they had not considered how they would retrieve their clothing.
Tommy Cooper was the first to make a dash for the clothes, using his hands to shield his manhood as he crouched low and ran toward the pile.
When the boys had left their clothing on the grass beside the bank of the Avon River, they had never considered a hurried collection of these items. Tommy had to stoop over and scurry in his naked state to retrieve his blue jeans, underwear, and socks. The three lads’ entire clothing had been unthinkingly left in a single pile of jumbled clothing. The girls were obviously enjoying the situation. Tommy was cheered as he took off running with a single pair of blue jeans, no shirt, no shoes, and socks.
Watching this scene was sheer hell for the remaining boys, simply knowing that each of them would need to make the same run.
Next came Peter, hunched and awkward, hands flailing in a futile attempt to cover himself. The girls shrieked and giggled, their laughter ringing out over the water.
For five long minutes, the last boy waited, wrestling with his pride and terror. But then, a stubborn thought took hold: I will not cower. No more scurrying or shielding—I will walk tall, head held high, dignity intact.
Steeling himself, the last boy stood upright; he strode from the river, eyes fixed ahead, refusing to meet the girls’ gazes. Their laughter swelled into a triumphant “WHOOOOOOOOoooooo” that followed him all the way to his clothes.
Making this decision was not hard. The girls had screamed with laughter as Tommy and Peter made their runs. But as the last boy stood up, a triumphant “WHOOOOOOOOoooooo” rang out, following him from the moment he left the water until he picked up his clothes and turned his back on the girls.
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It just happened that a few miles north of the Avon River crossing, where the boys were swimming, was a small town. There was not a lot in this tiny Hamlet except a pub, and opposite the pub was a large village hall. This was very convenient. Because some enterprising person regularly arranged for a small band to perform there on the occasional weekend. The Weekend I mentioned, the Pop Group “The Dave Clark Five” had just topped the hit parade with a New hit “BITS AND PIECES.” Prior to this lucky break, the unheard-of pop group had their newly released single hit the record shops.
The word got around that the dance hall would be featuring The Top Ten record-selling DAVE CLARK FIVE.
“Bits and Pieces” is a song by British beat group The Dave Clark Five. The single hit number 2 in 1964
These previously unheard-of Popstars had already been booked for the dance night.
It did not take long for the local youth to catch wind that a Super-Star Pop Group was performing. This was for the local teenagers a DO NOT MISS EVENT.
It was the night of the Dance. The Old Hall was filled to the brim with local teenagers, even from as far away as Ringwood. Amongst them were three lads, Tommy Cooper, Peter Cook, and Henry.
Henry started the conversation. “That girl keeps looking at me?”
“Is she smiling ?” asked Tommy.
Peter added, “I think she wants you to take your trousers off so she can recognise you.
