Family
Having traced the Charles Alford family tree back to our very own Charles I, the line continues to this day, no thanks to my late father who tried to buck the trend by refusing to name me Charles. In 2026 with limited time remaining, I changed my name by deed poll (legally) to continue the tradition. It is now up to my son, Jack to atone for my mistake in not insisting he be named accordingly; not that there was much choice in the matter in 1985. The original Alfords of 1758 showing Charles I (1758 - 1839) & his…
Rat Patrol & More
ALF THE GIGS According to records kept by manager Pip Hulme (R.I.P), Rat Patrol played their first gig on Tuesday 23rd November 1982 at The Mitre (soon to become the ill fated Mama Stone's) in Mary Arches Street, Exeter, Devon. Rat Patrol owe a debt of gratitude to both Pip and also to Mike, Don and Jonny, aka Rockin' Mike & The Thunderbirds for letting the Rats support them on their first two outings. We should also mention the inimitable John Bain (aka: Attila The Stockbroker) who gave the band a cracking write up in Sounds magazine and went on…
