Tommy Banner

Last updated
Tommy Banner
Wurzels Wychwood 2011.jpg
Banner (left) performing with The Wurzels in 2011
Background information
Born (1939-08-01) 1 August 1939 (age 85)
Edinburgh, Scotland
Genres Scrumpy and Western
Instrument(s)Accordion, piano
Years active1967-present
Member of The Wurzels

Tommy Banner (born 1 August 1939) is a British musician, known for being the longest-serving member of The Wurzels.

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Banner was raised in Penicuik, Midlothian. [1]

Banner joined the Wurzels in 1967 as an accordionist. [1] The Scrumpy and Western group are best known for their 1970s novelty songs such as The Combine Harvester and I Am A Cider Drinker. Banner still tours with the Wurzels after five decades.

Banner’s wife died on Valentine’s Day 2016, but Banner didn't publicly announce her death until October of that year. [2]

In 2020, Banner opened a restaurant in Highbridge, Somerset. [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sedgemoor</span> Former non-metropolitan district in England

Sedgemoor is a low-lying area of land in Somerset, England. It lies close to sea level south of the Polden Hills, historically largely marsh. The eastern part is known as King's Sedgemoor, and the western part West Sedgemoor. Sedgemoor is part of the area now known as the Somerset Levels and Moors. Historically the area was known as the site of the Battle of Sedgemoor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Wurzels</span> English Scrumpy and Western band

The Wurzels are an English Scrumpy and Western band from Somerset, England, best known for their number one hit "The Combine Harvester" and number three hit "I Am a Cider Drinker" in 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burnham-on-Sea</span> Town in Somerset, England

Burnham-on-Sea is a seaside town in Somerset, England, at the mouth of the River Parrett, upon Bridgwater Bay. Burnham was a small fishing village until the late 18th century when it began to grow because of its popularity as a seaside resort.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway</span> Disused railway line in England

The Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway, was an English railway line jointly owned by the Midland Railway (MR) and the London and South Western Railway (LSWR) that grew to connect Bath and Bournemouth, with a branch in Somerset from Evercreech Junction to Burnham-on-Sea and Bridgwater. Strictly speaking, its main line only ran from Bath Junction to Broadstone, as the Bath to Bath Junction section was wholly owned by the MR and the Broadstone to Bournemouth section was owned by the LSWR.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wells (UK Parliament constituency)</span> Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1885–2024

Wells was a constituency in Somerset in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament. Apart from between 2010–2015, Wells was represented by members of the Conservative Party since 1924.

Somerset is a county in the south-west of England. It is home to many types of music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Highbridge, Somerset</span> Human settlement in England

Highbridge is a market town on the edge of the Somerset Levels near the mouth of the River Brue. It is in the county of Somerset, and is about 20 miles (32 km) northeast of Taunton, the county town of Somerset. No longer a market town, the market site is now a housing estate. Highbridge is about 7 miles (11 km) north of Bridgwater, the district's administrative centre. Highbridge closely neighbours Burnham-on-Sea, forming part of the combined parish of Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge and shares a town council with the resort town. The 2001 Census recorded Highbridge's population as 5,986. In the 2011 Census the population of the town was included in the ward of Highbridge and Burnham Marine, which totalled 7,555.

Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge is a civil parish in Somerset, England. It has a population of 19,576. The parish contains the towns Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge, which share a town council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Highbridge and Burnham railway station</span> Railway station in Somerset, England

Highbridge and Burnham railway station is situated on the Bristol Temple Meads - Exeter St David's Line in the town of Highbridge, Somerset and also serves the neighbouring town of Burnham-on-Sea. It is 145 miles 25 chains from the zero point at London Paddington via Box. It is unstaffed but managed by Great Western Railway who operate all the regular services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Somerset Rebels</span> British speedway team

The Somerset Rebels were a British speedway team based in Highbridge, Somerset. Founded in 2000, the club competed in the British SGB Championship until 2019. Their home track was located at the Oak Tree Arena.

The TA postcode area, also known as the Taunton postcode area, is a group of 24 postcode districts in South West England, within 19 post towns. These cover western Somerset, plus very small parts of Dorset and Devon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burnham-on-Sea railway station</span> Disused railway station in England

Burnham-on-Sea railway station was located within the town of Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, and was the terminus of the Burnham branch of the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway. Opened as Burnham by the Somerset Central Railway on 3 May 1858, it was renamed in 1920.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oaktree Arena</span> British speedway venue

The Oaktree Arena was a speedway racing track located near Highbridge, Somerset, England. It is 300 metres (330 yd) in length, with banking around the edge for spectators and is built alongside the M5 motorway. There is also a restaurant used for weddings and events. It is also used for property auctions, car boot sales, a golf driving range and a boxing gym.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burnham Without</span>

Burnham Without is a civil parish in the main located to the east of Burnham-on-Sea and to the north and northeast of Highbridge in Somerset, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pete Budd</span> English lead singer of The Wurzels

Peter Budd is an English singer who has fronted the Scrumpy and Western band The Wurzels since 1974. He was the vocalist on the number-one hit "The Combine Harvester" and number three hit "I Am a Cider Drinker" in 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The King Alfred School, Highbridge</span> Academy in Highbridge, Somerset, England

The King Alfred School is a coeducational secondary school and sixth form located in Highbridge, Somerset, England. It is an academy and part of The Priory Learning Trust. It serves Brent Knoll, Highbridge, Burnham-on-Sea and the surrounding villages. In 2007, the school celebrated its 50th anniversary. In 2017 it had 1375 pupils.

<i>Scrumpy & Western EP</i> 1967 EP by Adge Cutler & the Wurzels

Scrumpy & Western EP was the second record released by Adge Cutler and The Wurzels, containing the two tracks from their original 1966 hit single, "Drink Up Thy Zider" and "Twice Daily", with two further tracks "Pill, Pill" and "Hark At 'Ee Jacko". The band's first single had reached number 45 in the UK Singles Chart, despite the B-side, "Twice Daily" being banned by the BBC for being too raunchy. The subsequent Scrumpy & Western EP, released the following year, did not achieve a chart placing, however it gave its name to whole new genre of music: Scrumpy and Western. All the tracks were recorded live by Bob Barratt at The Royal Oak Inn, Nailsea, on 2 November 1966.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sedgemoor District Council</span>

Sedgemoor District Council was a local government district in Somerset, England covering the Sedgemoor district. It was established in 1974 by the merger of Bridgwater and Burnham-On-Sea Urban District Councils. It was replaced on 1 April 2023 by Somerset Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apex Leisure and Wildlife Park</span>

Apex Leisure and Wildlife Park is an urban park and wildlife centre in Highbridge, Somerset, England. The park was created on the site of a former clay pit and brickwork manufacturing site and provides a link between Highbridge and Burnham-on-Sea. There are various facilities including an outdoor gym, a lake and birdlife.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sara-Jane Cox-Conklin</span>

Sara-Jane Cox-Conklin is a former British modern pentathlete and professional triathlete known for her significant achievements across twenty sports. She is the founder of the Burnham-on-Sea Swim & Sports Academy and has made substantial contributions to multi sport disciplines both in the United Kingdom and internationally.

References

  1. 1 2 "In the spotlight: Tommy Banner". Bridgwater Mercury. 2007-02-26. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
  2. PILDITCH, DAVID (2016-10-10). "Wurzels legend Tommy Banner reveals heartache over death of wife". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
  3. Burnham-On-Sea.com (2020-08-06). "Wurzels star Tommy Banner opens restaurant at Rich's Cider Farm near Highbridge". Burnham-On-Sea.com. Retrieved 2023-10-10.