I still regularly
play music and would
be happy to perform
at the re union, if
needed. There will
be no doubt be many
at the reunion who
played at the Monde
a lot more than I
did. I think only I
played at the
Monde once - or
perhaps twice. I
must admit that most
of my playing at
that time was across
the road at dare I
say it - the Chez
Paree . You probably
remember the Chez.
That was where the
Bob Dylan and the
Simon and Garfunkel
impersonators hung
out. The Monde was a
lot more pure folk.
But nevertheless the
music at the Monde
was a huge influence
on me and introduced
me to the whole wide
world of folk and
blues, which I still
listen too and
perform.
I look forward to
hearing more about
the reunion.
Fiona Blair
(Harrison)
Just to say that I
would love to attend
the celebration for
Mary, and Monde
Marie. Mary (Miss
Seddon) taught me at
Marsden in the 50s
and with her as a
form mistress (
terminology used in
the nicest possible
way) I did better at
school and was more
stimulated than I
had ever been. One
thing she taught me
has carried me
through the
remainder of my
life. There are many
uncertainties in the
life we are given,
but one thing stands
without question.
The reason the
dinosaurs died out?
Constipation!
Bob Waters:
zl2txe@xtra.co.nz
I am interested in
attending the
Reunion later in
June '10
Although I would
have to talk among
old friends to work
out when I first
visited Monde Marie,
it was probably on
1959 or shortly
after opening.
Bruce King was at
College and rode a
motor scooter and
probably had a
duffel coat hidden
away somewhere.
I played Ukulele as
accompaniment during
'61, '62 and Banjo
on occasions. I had
3 friends who often
came also with
mandolin and guitars
as we had our own
band.
Terry Bryant did his
thing on several
occasions and many
others.
I was there the
night Peter Paul and
Mary dropped in and
sang a few very
popular numbers.
The whole place was
in awe.
Mary was a great
host but a force to
be acknowledged. On
two occasions I
remember Many
closing up early
Sunday morning and
asked around those
she knew well "Who
is coming for a dip"
The routine was a
cooling swim at the
point passed
Oriental Bay. It
was dark and attire
optional - all in
good fun and high
spirits.
I had a few years
out of teaching
earning better money
and as a timber
contractor at the
Booths timber yard
in Constable Street
( Kauri Timer and
later Flechers)
One fine Saturday
morning a customer
appeared wanting
some 12 by 2 Jarrah
(Aust Hardwood)
planks to keep up a
bank. It was Mary
and when she spotted
me immediately her
mission became more
focussed.
She asked for design
advice, posts planks
of length described
in strides made on
the ground. Then
it was all too dear
so we negotiated
quantities and
lengths again and
got the purchase
finalised. When that
was done Mary
announced that it
was to be taken up
to Wadestown before
lunch ( then! ).
The boss said it
couldn't be done so
Mary walked outside
to the truck that
had just come in and
asked the driver
what he was doing.
His reply that he
was knocking off did
not deter Mary who
immediately asked if
he would help a lady
who is in trouble.
The Male in the
driver could not get
out a "No" so Mary
marched into the
office and told the
boss that the
driver would help
her out so all was
organised without a
problem. She
wasn't going to pay
all that money and
leave the wood
there. After much to
and fro discussion
the driver loaded
the loot and Mary
demanded I come
along too to help
with the unloading.
The pattern of
coercion continued
with the heavy
hardwood planks and
post being carried
up the long path
past the precious
trees ( one was
smuggled out of
Nepal) ad all put
into place beside
the bank. Mary had
meantime got out a
spade and shovel and
started digging,
then asked where the
holes should be for
the posts between
our trips up with the
every heavy wet
hardwood planks. I
could see what was
coming so the driver
and I dropped the
last post and
announced that we
were very late and
had to get back. ( I
had contract work
waiting)
Mary became quite
calm and
understanding taking
us off guard and
suggested that we
just dig a little
bit more while she
went and got us
something. It was a
glass of beer each
and the remainder of
the bottle. Her Dad
Tom disappeared and
I picked up he may
have felt a bit
awkward. Not so
Mary who made us
lunch and got the
post holes dug all
ready for the
gardener to finish
off building the
wooden retaining
wall. The scrambled
eggs were very
different to what
had come across
before as only a for
was used to scramble
them in the large
old kitchen. I was
called in from the
digging to "help".
It was unbelievable
but that was Mary,
all in good spirit
and fellowship. I
had a good laugh
when the driver
retold the tale for
many months about "
My mate Mary the
coffee lady."
The next time Mary
came into the timber
yard the driver hid.
A force to be
reckoned with but
often with little
effect in changing
the determined path
set in her mind.
She had the wiles of
wisdom about people
and those tools
brought many ideas
to fruition against
many odds.
We remained great
good friend and
shared a chuckle
about the garden
project many times.
I missed Mary's send
off sadly but look
forward to another
chance to see the
faces from those
times, and remember
that wonderful Lady.
I can probably
arrange for a past
band member of the
era to join with me
for a Ukulele
mandolin duet/
medley.
I look forward to
any further news.
The singer mentioned
in two blogs ( one
being Bruce King's
was a friend of
mine.
Ronnie Tofts was the
eldest of a family
of 15. He was fairly
short, had black
hair combed back and
a fine Tenor voice.
Ronnie sang around
several spots in
Wellington but was a
welcome entertainer
on the Island Bay
foreshore where he
sang to the Italian
community gathered
at the foreshore on
some Saturday and
Sunday evenings.
Ronnie had a
collection of fine
of Italian classics
among his extensive
repertoire. He was
affectionately known
as Ronaldo. Ronnie
Brother Ray still
lives in Island Bay.
Jean-Claude
Rochecouste:
j-corsaire@hotmail.com
I was one of Mary's
regular singers , as
you already know. My
brother Francois put
me on your to your
website , so here I
am!!!! Wanting all
the information you
can send me , as I
will do my best to
be there and to
perform also;
I virtually lived at
the MONDE , was
there just about
every night.
I Went out with Lynn
Howie a few time ,
loved it when she
sang MOSCOW NIGHT &
CORINNA, CORINNA .
I also remember Val
Murphy , Rod
MacKinnon , Max
Winnie and a lot of
the others. I would
like it if you could
put me down on the
list of singers that
will be there and
perform.
I reside in
Australia in WA. to
be precise. My
address is 11 TUDOR
COURT PARMELIA WA
6167 Phone No.
+61-9-439 4954
Mobile +61-417 439
495 You may pass my
address & phone
number to anybody
from the MONDE who
would like to
contact me. I'll say
Cheers for now .
hope to hear from
you very soon.
Mike Burch:
m.burch@ihug.co.nz
Mary's World it
indeed was! I used to sing there regularly
in the mid 1960s - solo on Tuesday nights from
ten till midnight, and with Arthur Toms (vocals,
guitars, banjo) and Bill Cater (double bass) on
the Saturday night slot. Both of them were very
fine musicians. Arthur was an excellent
instrumentalist, and Bill could happily pluck in
almost any key - though when he got too grumpy
Arthur and I would shut him up by modulating to
C sharp, a key with seven sharps which is dead
easy on a guitar with a capo, but bloody
difficult on a bass. Bill had to concentrate!
My voice was
classically trained, which meant that most
afficionados thought I sounded too posh to be a
real folk singer. Indeed, I subsequently
abandoned folk music and became a classical
tenor. I remember Mary most fondly - she was a
great character, a generous spirit, and a
pioneer in many ways.
Nice to come across the website. Good luck with
the reunion.
Alexandra Skaff:
(nee Alex Tosswill)
alexandraskaff@gmail.com
I used to sing at
the Monde Marie from time to time when I was a
teenager attending New Plymouth Girls High (a
Scotlands boarder)...and absolutely hero
worshipped Mary ..what a character!!!! I was
then Alex Tosswill...and yes I do have stories
which I remember well. But Mary Seddon was also
well known in her own right to my Mother (Lola
Benge) and my Uncle Michael Benge (I believe he
and Mary attended University together) - and
both of whom were friends also with Harry
Seresin. They were GGRRRRRRREAT days!!!! And to
think how wicked we all were with our mug of
coffee with a dollop of thick cream (real cream)
and a snort of rum to keep us warm those wintry
evenings!!
Josh White came to the Monde Marie, as did Judy
Collins. Then we had the Russian Corps de Ballet
one night.
I personally
recall -- Dave Whaley, Jon Woolf, Dave
Jordan, Dave Hollis, Steve Robinson
