The Processed Pea Label

The Processed Pea is one of the oldest folk clubs in Britain. Established [in the late 60's], the Processed Pea Club, whose unlikely name was inspired by tinned veg, is still based at the same venue: the Light Dragoon in Etton, near Beverley [county town of the East Riding of Yorkshire]. Booking acts was a learning curve but Stuart Bell excelled in marketing and artwork. He designed flyers, car stickers and a backcloth for the stage that is still in use. At the pinnacle of the Pea’s popularity in the 1970s, came its “pea’esse” de resistance – its own record label. It produced 10 records including the EP Etton Alive by Fourpenny Bridge from Selby and Hessle Road by Hull policeman and folk singer Pete Smith, who also wrote and recorded Yorkshire Born and Proud of It. “He was brilliant but passed away quite young,” says Stuart, whose favourite acts include the Happy Cats fronted by Lindisfarne’s Marty Craggs, Vin Garbutt, Mungo Jerry, Henry Priestman and Flossie Malavialle. Other well-known artists who have passed through the club include the Watersons, Martin Carthy, Jake Thackray, Ralph McTell, Richard Digance, Kate Rusby and Jasper Carrott, along with hundreds of local support acts. The Processed Pea ran weekly for 30 years but finding 52 decent artists was a challenge. Now the club operates on the first Monday of every month and Stuart is confident that it will continue long term. See URLs for a link to a page showing over 600 acts to have played at The Processed Pea.