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Parade Marshal Terry Birkinhead Retires Tributes from his daughter
Helen, and Peter Swensson Many of you will know my Dad, Terry Birkinhead. He has marshalled many, many bands times over the years, and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it, putting his all into jigging around with his decorated umbrellas. As he quotes from time to time: ‘It Don’t Mean a Thing, if it Ain’t Got That Swing’. He has even enjoyed marshalling when he was ‘caught short’ and fell over on the ice waiting for a band once, and when he tripped over an iron bar in a cemetery, nearly ending up in a freshly-dug grave. Sadly, as reported on this website recently, he has hung up his brolly, for health reasons (he’s not as young as he looks!).
Yesterday, I chauffeured my Dad and my Mum Barbara, to Childwall Abbey, to enjoy the annual jazz service. I think this was the first parade my Dad has been to, where he would usually be band marshal, but wasn’t, and it was difficult for the three of us, with my Mum and I knowing how much he loved doing it - particularly with the Savoy Jazzmen. As you can see from the photos, he still participated, in his jazz waistcoat and bow tie, by introducing the band and each song. I must confess, that whilst I have enjoyed watching jazz bands and always foot-tap along, I wouldn’t specifically call myself a jazz ‘fan’ (sorry everyone, and don’t tell Terry!), but I have been proud of my Dad marshalling for all these years - even if I do think his dancing (‘Ostrich Walk’) is funny… If you’re reading this, Dad, it won’t be the same without you up front (T’Aint What You Do’). And I’d like to say thank you to all the bands who he’s enjoyed performing with. It has been a huge part of his life and I know he’ll have many happy memories. We all know he’ll be regaling us from time to time… Helen 08/07/24
A Tribute from Peter Swensson
Terry has kept a diary detailing all the jazz events and funerals he’s attended and has shared some of the details with me. He’s clocked up 228 occasions, 116 of which were with the Savoy Jazzmen. 56 funerals, 36 Street parades and 59 appearances at the Sefton Park Palm House. The funerals have taken him to 19 different crematoriums and cemeteries. Terry says he should be awarded an Ordinary National Certificate in Funerals. His first event was with the Savoy Jazzmen in 1993 at the Widnes Rugby Union Football Club. His first outdoor event was at Springwood in 1995 for the funeral of Tommy Orrett a member of the band. Terry writes "There were some marvellous outings on RNLI day on Hoylake promenade, where thousands came to watch us parade, though some said that The Red Arrows might have been the attraction. Particularly memorable events for me were the Savoy Jazzmen 'wowing' the children and staff on 5 occasions at Lansbury Bridge 'Special' school, St. Helens. Well done the Savoy ! I owe heartfelt thanks to all the musicians who I have had the privilege of leading in parades, who gave so much enjoyment to so many, including me". Terry, your skills, and goodwill as a parade leader will be very sorely missed. You have always had a smile on your face, always been full of fun, and have unhesitatingly given so much to enhance the ambience of traditional jazz in the North West. I'm sure you will continue to be popping up and supporting local gigs, but in your new, more relaxed - and very well-earned - retirement role! On behalf of all North West jazzers - thank you so much Terry! Peter Swensson. (The Savoy
Jazzmen) Grand Marshal Memories Terry Birkinhead I have been fortunate in being Grand Marshal to many bands since 1993, clocking-up 228 appearances up to September 2023 - 116 with the Savoy Jazzmen. That represents funerals, 'street' and 'inside' parades. Sadly, from my point of view, I have decided to hang-up my brolly due to health considerations. My family say that I have been 'past it' for a long while ! There have been some marvellous times - RNLI Bank
holiday Mondays (8)) on Hoylake promenade with hundreds watching
- though some said that The Red Arrows may have been the
attraction ; The Famous Reds & Blues and Wirral Marching bands
around Birkenhead (they spell it wrong) - with one occasion
where an old lady on a motorised scooter zoomed around the band
with my brolly ; a police escort for the Savoy Jazzmen and a
huge cortege at a funeral in Knowsley ; fronting the
Milchkanchen Dixieland JB from Germany at Upton Jazz Festival
for 2 years ; our local Town Show parade at Newton Le Willows
with the Savoy Jazzmen on a low-loader and me precariously
trying not to fall off ; the Second Line young Swedish band at
the Calvert Trust (Keswick JF) , and after asking them if it was
OK to parade, they joined in ; with the Santa Fe Syncopators in
Ormskirk for switching-on the Christmas lights -my 7 year old
grandson At one funeral in Liverpool with the Savoy Jazzmen, they were playing as the mourners filed into the chapel when I realised that the hearse was maroon - not the one we saw at the home of the deceased ! Wrong funeral. At least the mourners in the limousines later gave their 'surprise' band the 'thumbs up' ! Many years ago at Whitley Bay jazz festival, for the Saturday morning parade, many second-liners were in 20's attire, ladies in 'flapper' dresses, me in 'Al Capone' gear complete with replica 'tommy-gun'. (I wasn't the marshal). Large crowds watched, and one of our 'flapper' ladies folded up laughing. Someone had asked her "what are you all protesting about ? " I have had a good run, and I owe my heartfelt thanks to all the musicians who I have had the privilege of leading in parades, who give so much enjoyment to so many, including myself. Terry Birkinhead 12/04/24 - I'm sad to hear Terry Birkinhead has retired from doing his magnificent job of Marshalling gigs. When we danced together Anne and I always enjoyed the lead he gave and his smiling welcoming face at so many gigs around, particularly Abersoch and Heswall British Legion. Thanks Terry, happy memories, and enjoy a long and happy retirement. Cheers to you and yours, - Martin and Anne Snow 18/04/24 - WJF ran 45 events from 1999 to October 2014
to raise money for Claire House Children's Hospice. When Roger
Planche went to live in Spain, Terry took over from him as our
compere and played a large part in us raising £39,223. Here are three photographs - Clive Edwards
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complaining to my wife "It's not fair those girls
laughing at my granddad - he's only doing his best !" ; funerals
- jazz musicians always rallied to pay tribute to departed
colleagues, on occasions there were 30 in the band. 
