BRYAN HOLDEN (Global Bry)
Bryan was the drummer with Bill’s first band, Global Village. From the three tracks which went onto acetate in 1968 as the Mr Fantasy acetate, to the end of the band they recorded at Holyground. With the exception of one track, Bill recorded exclusively at Holyground, including his first LP, “Northern Dream”. Bryan helped out with other Holyground recordings, and is still involved today, recently recording cymbals for The Wires soon to be released In And Out Of Time.

Bryan writes : On 1st August 1968 I joined Bill Nelson and Alan Quinn after answering an advert in the local press. I turned up for the ‘audition’ with my drum kit piled on top of my 1951 MG 2-seater (I still have it – the MG, not the drum kit!) and we seemed to click.

Initially, ‘rehearsals’ took place in my parents’ flat above a shoe shop in the Bull Ring in Wakefield. After a lot of soul searching we decided to call ourselves ‘Global Village’. I recall we scoured the Racing Pages of the Daily Mail for inspiration, but I am sure that Bill and Marshall McLuhan influenced the final decision. Purple Tangerine Snowflake (that well known three year old filly!) was a close second!

Mike, Dave, and many other hangers-on appeared on the scene (where did they come from?), and our relationship with Holyground was born.

From the first Global Village Booking at Stanley Lane Ends Working Men’s Club (near Wakefield) on Friday 6th September 1968, to the last, booking number 49, on Saturday 25th July 1970 at the Builders Exchange Club in Huddersfield, Holyground always seemed to feature in one way or another.

We played several gigs at Bretton Hall Teacher Training College near Wakefield, no doubt assisted by the Holyground contacts therein. We seemed to spend a lot of time – day and night – at Cass Yard and and at Bretton.

The delights of the opposite sex drew some of us to Bretton on many occasions. I’m sure Chris Coombs remembers the scamper across Womens’ Back Landing and tiptoe across the Principal’s Study Roof at 2 am. Only to find someone had attempted to let down the tyres on Global Van - Alison - Sue - who were they - where are they?

At one studio session, we recorded the soundtrack for Wakefield Little Theatre’s production of The Killing of Sister George, namely the infamous car crash – dangling microphones out of the studio window at Cass Yard, revving up the engine of Global Van - a Ford Thames 15 cwt - throwing dustbin lids around, breaking milk bottles, great fun!

It worked, and also gave Mike the opportunity to play the ‘Mr Fantasy’ EP during the intervals, probably Global Village’s, and Bill Nelson’s, first recorded public broadcast.

I must mention Saturday 26th July 1969, the date of the first ‘happening’ in Wakefield’s Clarence Park. Jointly organised by Global Village and Holyground, we were amazed at the success of this event, despite the adverse weather towards the end. Much to the disdain of the local constabulary many of the audience joined us on stage for shelter! ‘Elf’n Safety’ Issues were around even then!

Food vans, ice cream vans, the Pontefract Chapter of Hell’s Angels (!), the local bobbies etc. etc. - many turned up, hundreds of people chilling out on the hillside. Dare I say we were the pioneers for the Clarence Park events which are still taking place?

Mike and company proudly proclaimed that they were ‘Recording Live’. Regrettably, the tapes were subsequently stolen, and, presumably, lost forever.