• How long have you been a Pearly King?
I have been a Pearly King for nearly 30 years now, though I'm not a member of any of the official organisations. I'm friendly with Doreen Golding who is the Chair of the Pearly Guild so do feel 'proper' in a way... She is the Pearly Queen of the Old Kent Road.
• Did you design your costume yourself? What does it represent or mean to you?
No, I was given my uniform by Beryl, a Pearly Queen with 5 children, none of whom wanted to carry on the tradition. She knew I could play music and liked the look of the uniform, so she asked me to wear it - and I have ever since. Each symbol has a meaning but there are diverse interpretations... The horseshoe is, of course, for luck - or perhaps someone in the family was a farrier? The 8 spoked wheels could represent time, the wheel of the year as a cycle, of a clock, of motion or maybe a wheel of fortune? 'Cockney Pride' on my trousers is my favourite part, as I am very proud to be a Londoner!
• Do Pearly Kings and Queens tend to make their own clothing?
Traditionally they did back in the day but now they are handed down through families, friends and societies to carry on the tradition.
• Do you know how many buttons are on your outfit?
Including my hat and shoes, I think there must be around 6,000 on my full suit.
• Did you design your costume yourself? What does it represent or mean to you?
No, I was given my uniform by Beryl, a Pearly Queen with 5 children, none of whom wanted to carry on the tradition. She knew I could play music and liked the look of the uniform, so she asked me to wear it - and I have ever since. Each symbol has a meaning but there are diverse interpretations... The horseshoe is, of course, for luck - or perhaps someone in the family was a farrier? The 8 spoked wheels could represent time, the wheel of the year as a cycle, of a clock, of motion or maybe a wheel of fortune? 'Cockney Pride' on my trousers is my favourite part, as I am very proud to be a Londoner!
• Do Pearly Kings and Queens tend to make their own clothing?
Traditionally they did back in the day but now they are handed down through families, friends and societies to carry on the tradition.
• Do you know how many buttons are on your outfit?
Including my hat and shoes, I think there must be around 6,000 on my full suit.
• What interested you in becoming a Pearly King?
I was working at the Cockney Pride pub in Piccadilly as a musician in the early '80s, and back in those days the Pearly Kings and Queens used to come in entirely clothed in their uniform! This would not happen today, I dare say. I was amazed straight away. I am a world expert is Cockney rhyming slang so got to know some of the Pearlies very well.
• Do you do a lot for charity? As well as being in a band what else do you do to raise money?
I'm very proud to do my bit and do what I can when I can. Whenever I have free time I volunteer... I play a lot of gigs, visit care homes and do presentations at local schools. I teach the children Cockney Rhyming slang, the history of the Pearlies and a play called 'Henry and His Friends' about Henry Croft. I occasionally collect on the street for MSF the international medical charity. The Pearly way is to always help others. I've been in my band 'Pearly King & Queen' for 25 years and perform solo, with the Pearly Queen Terri as a duo, or with my full band. What you see is what you get - real music!
• Have you ever come across people with a fear of buttons who are frightened of your dress?
I have met one chap who was absolutely terrified at a gig I was playing when I was collecting for a charity. He had to leave! I felt terrible and apologised to him when I was out of my outfit but he said it was something he had had all of his life.
• Why do you think the tradition of Pearly Kings and Queens is important?
It is part of our British heritage, ingrained in our history, and has a rightful place in a multicultural Britain. We are professional entertainers who make money to give to charity, and our living, from our appearances. I love our work and how it brings people together from all walks of life. No two days are the same and I get to meet all kinds of different people because of my outfit.
• Do you find the heritage and history of Pearlies is being forgotten in a modern world?
Few Londoners know the history nowadays but some have a vague idea of what it's about. People used to know a lot more about who we were back in the day but as they have aged along with us it is slowly fading in the minds of the population. I do like to give presentations and meet with schools to teach the children about our history and while the tradition is diminishing it is far from forgotten.
• Do you do a lot for charity? As well as being in a band what else do you do to raise money?
I'm very proud to do my bit and do what I can when I can. Whenever I have free time I volunteer... I play a lot of gigs, visit care homes and do presentations at local schools. I teach the children Cockney Rhyming slang, the history of the Pearlies and a play called 'Henry and His Friends' about Henry Croft. I occasionally collect on the street for MSF the international medical charity. The Pearly way is to always help others. I've been in my band 'Pearly King & Queen' for 25 years and perform solo, with the Pearly Queen Terri as a duo, or with my full band. What you see is what you get - real music!
• Have you ever come across people with a fear of buttons who are frightened of your dress?
I have met one chap who was absolutely terrified at a gig I was playing when I was collecting for a charity. He had to leave! I felt terrible and apologised to him when I was out of my outfit but he said it was something he had had all of his life.
• Why do you think the tradition of Pearly Kings and Queens is important?
It is part of our British heritage, ingrained in our history, and has a rightful place in a multicultural Britain. We are professional entertainers who make money to give to charity, and our living, from our appearances. I love our work and how it brings people together from all walks of life. No two days are the same and I get to meet all kinds of different people because of my outfit.
• Do you find the heritage and history of Pearlies is being forgotten in a modern world?
Few Londoners know the history nowadays but some have a vague idea of what it's about. People used to know a lot more about who we were back in the day but as they have aged along with us it is slowly fading in the minds of the population. I do like to give presentations and meet with schools to teach the children about our history and while the tradition is diminishing it is far from forgotten.
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