Never Too Young To Rock

In the late 1970s rock 'n' roll was to be banned from television, but one young man, our Hero, led the battle against this ban and searched the country for the biggest rock bands to perform at a concert in support of his cause . . . . . Identified by Ann Downs back in 2020 as Coursers Road, Colney Heath, Herts, just before the bridge crossing the River Colne and confirmed now by Geoff Dodd who provides the supporting evidence. (RL)

Despite the trees having long dropped their leaves the buildings behind remain hidden but Denis Hoare assures us that they are there and particularly if we look closely! (RL)

After motorcycling through the countryside, members of the glam-rock band Mud arrive at the Kopp Cafe. Geoff Dodd advises that the "cafe" was known as Budgie’s Restaurant on the corner of what was Dixons Hill Road and the old A1 in Welham Green, Hertfordshire. It is said that it was so called because a brief scene from the television series featuring Adam Faith was shot there but in reality it was named the Corner Café prior to that. As well as 'Budgie', it also featured in other television series/ including episodes of 'The Return of The Saint' and 'The Diplomat’s Daughter', during which the Budgie sign can be seen. (RL)

Denis took a long and involved diversion as the property is no longer accessible from the A1 only to find that 'The Budgie Café' is now just No 1, Dixons Hill Close, Welham Green. The footprint of the new house he says, follows that of the old café with the A1 behind the hedge on the left. (RL)

Geoff provides this additional screen capture as the van continues on its way. Dixon's Hill Road passing Knolles Crescent in Welham Green, Hertfordshire. (RL)

A supporting Google Earth view from Geoff. (RL)

A further screen capture from Geoff of the van's journey along this road but the changes for the A1(M) mean that the café would now have been in Dixons Hill Close as the road was re-routed. (RL)

Geoff's Google Earth View to support. (RL)

Using the detection equipment in his Group Detector Van, our Hero (Peter Denyer) and his assistant Mr. Rockbottom (Freddie Jones) trace the band to the wayside cafe. Outside Budgie's Restaurant in Welham Green, Hertfordshire.

This deserves Denis's full explanation. "Here I am standing on the side of the new house, peeping over the new wall, with the A1 behind me. It looks across the front of the house, which was the car park of the old cafe, to the house next door, which seems to now have an extension to the back. There's now a tall hedge between the two properties. The entrance to the café would be on the left, where the two actors in the original screenshot are heading." We couldn't have asked for more, thank you. (RL)

The two enter the cafe where they enlist Mud to play at the concert . . . . after they finish playing 'The Cat Crept In' and 'Tiger Feet'. Facing Budgie's Restaurant in Welham Green.

Such are the changes, that Denis took this wider shot of the new house, the café's car park now a nice lawn. He has further provided us, for the record, with a general of the house as none of the comparative shots show the complete property as per the original captures. (RL)

Mr. Rockbottom, a silver band fan, grumbles as he drives the van onward. Geoff tells us that this is Deeves Hall Lane at the junction with Earls Lane, Ridge in Hertfordshire and that the building to the left is Deeves Hall Barn. (RL)

Antony Blair does his best as the winter sun was high in the sky.

In an effort to destroy the Group Detector Van, Mr. Rockbottom parks it on a level crossing but is shocked when an approaching trolley magically passes straight through the vehicle.

As our Hero tries to trace another group, Milligan and his silver band plot to prevent the rock bands from being found. Geoff Dodd, based on the following capture, places this as 'The Bell Roundabout', London Colney, Hertfordshire, here looking towards the A6(T), now replaced by the M25 that absorbed all the houses in the background. (RL)

Mr. Rockbottom is carried away by the sound of the silver band and drives continually around a roundabout. Following on from the previous capture, this aerial view of 'The Bell Roundabout' shows, Geoff says, the A1081 by pass going off the the top right of the capture. (RL)

Encountering a traction engine manned by Milligan's silver band, the van is diverted through a gateway. Eric Parsons advises that this is the front entrance of the Edgwarebury Hotel in Barnet Lane, Elstree, Hertfordshire.

The two get out of the van and search for the source of the signal. This is the Edgwarebury Hotel on Barnet Lane in Elstree.

The grass immediately outside has been cleared for a wider drive. SJ

As our Hero leaves the rear of the house, he turns to see Bob Kerr and His Whoopee Band playing on the balcony. The Edgwarebury Hotel was also seen in 'The Spider's Web', 'A Clockwork Orange', 'So Evil, So Young', 'Not Now Comrade', 'Stardust (1974)', 'The Devil Rides Out', 'Sons of the Sea', ‘The Rough and the Smooth’, ‘Endless Night’, ‘Stranger from Venus’, 'For Members Only' and 'My Lover My Son'.

A more accurate shot to replace my Nov '15 effort. SJ

With the tune over, Bob Kerr and His Whoopee Band disappear into thin air.

Now, with parasol. SJ

The electronic detection equipment is adjusted as Mr. Rockbottom drives on. Geoff places this as Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Hertfordshire. (RL)

47 years later, Antony Blair returned to Blanche Lane.

Our Hero detects that the next target band is somewhere on the River Thames. Geoff places this as Earls Lane, Welham Green, Herts heading towards Blanche Lane. (RL)

A Russian Soldier (Joe Lynch) bars the way.

The Soldier goes inside when "Tea's up" is called, allowing the Detector Van to be driven through the barrier.

When they come across a hovercraft, our Hero and his reluctant sidekick take to the water where they are pursued by helicopter, another hovercraft and a jet ski.

The Glitter Band disembark from their Thames Steamer after providing the soundtrack for the water chase. Raven's Ait, an island that lies in the River Thames between Surbiton and Hampton Court Park in the borough of Kingston upon Thames.

Carrying Sally James (Herself), our Hero escapes with help from The Glitter Band. Raven's Ait in the River Thames.

An awkward angle for John Harwood as it's only accessible by private ferry. (SJ)

As Mud frustrate the silver band's sabotage attempts, our Hero continues his quest.

Following another attempt to disable the van, our Hero tells Mr. Rockbottom to pull into a service station for repairs to be carried out. Richard Lovejoy identifies this as Portsmouth Road in Kingston upon Thames with Wight House in the right background.

John Harwood noted that the raised camber suggested a former forecourt. Little tricky to see. (SJ)

After consulting with the wizard in charge of the garage, our Hero comments that maybe he could do something about the rain. The service station on Portsmouth Road has been demolished and replaced by housing in the 1990s.

John H says the correct angle is impossible without standing right on the doorstep of one of the new flats but this looks like the original wall in the background. (SJ)

Mr. Merlin (Joe Dunne) provides the means to fix the detection equipment. The Kingston Self Service Station on Portsmouth Road located by RL.

John notes the same building outline. (SJ)

With repairs completed, the Group Detector Van is back on the road. Richard advises that this is facing north with Portsmouth Road to the left. The background building still stands.

JOhn observes added building but basic chimneys still there. (SJ)

The Rubettes provide entertainment on the back of a lorry. Just north of The Riding on Golders Green Road with Exchange Mansions to the right.

Without his personal flat-back lorry Denis Hoare was able to capture a much more inclusive shot of Golders Green Road. (RL)

Golders Green Road, passing under the Northern Line as it runs between Brent Cross and Golders Green.

Once again, Denis afforded himself a much clearer view. (RL)

Mr. Rockbottom continues to mumble as he drives along. Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Hertfordshire and a reverse POV of capture 13 Geoff Dodds tells us. (RL)

From low level, Antony Blair captured the scene now.

Playing 'Tonight', The Rubettes continue to be carried along Golders Green Road. This is approaching the corner of Golders Green Crescent on the left.

Denis was left wondering why that bank was still open. (RL)

Golders Green Road, this time back at the junction with Hoop Lane and Armitage Road as a continuity is lost.

A wide angle lens was used in the film, giving a bit of a fish-eye effect that Denis Hoare couldn’t replicate. Otherwise, like the rest of Golders Green, he found that nothing appears to have changed. (RL)

Golders Green Road at the junction with Finchley Road in NW11.

Denis clarifies that the windows in the original screenshot were on the London Transport Information Office, which is still there, as are the windows, although mainly hidden now behind a blue porta cabin and a small tree. Apart from that change, the roadway box has been replaced, maybe more than once going by the condition of the surface around it. (RL)

The sequence draws to a close facing north on Finchley Road in Golders Green.

Risking life and limb from the road Denis took 'another slant on life'. (RL)

Members of the silver band lie in wait to ambush the Group Detector Van.

The van passes through the woods but Mud's Rob Davis intervenes and the silver band's trap fails to work.

The Group Detector Van safely heads away. Geoff places this as Earls Lane, South Mimms, Herts heading towards Blanche Lane. (RL)

Milligan (John Clive) watches as the van disappears, along with his chance of taking the place of the rock bands at the concert.

Another attempt to halt our Hero sees Milligan create a road block to stop the Detector Van.

Failure again as the van is driven away when Mud thwart the silver band's efforts.

Geoff Dodd provides this additional capture with the location as High Street, Colney Heath, Herts......... (RL)

.........and provides this Google Earth view to support. (RL)

Humming a rousing tune, Mr. Rockbottom drives into a field. Geoff advises that this is Colney Heath, Herts. (RL)

The van enters a marquee, followed by a woman on horseback and an assortment of other people and vehicles. So this is also Colney Heath, Herts as advised by Geoff. (RL)

After negotiating an army assault course, our Hero and Mr. Rockbottom arrive in the centre of London for the concert. Piccadilly Circus in W1.

This night shot from Peter is of the same location now.