News

February 2nd 2006

We travelled down to London to meet up with Liam Galvin from Gangster Videos to record an interview with Eric Mason, Billy Frost and Lennie Hamilton. Unfortunately due to a lot of noise in the pub at the the time of recording the filming was almost unusable. We did manage to have a good day and night as per usual and it was good to catch up with our old friends Outlaw Phil, Christian, Andy H, Shaun and the South African Connection. Here are some of our photos from the day.

Chris Sansom is working hard on Eric's DVD that we filmed last year. There is a hell of a lot of stuff to go on this DVD and i'm sure it will be a huge success. We are hoping for an Autumn release. We will keep you posted on our progress.

Wednesday November 2nd 2005 Droylesden

Steve Wraith and Eric Mason performed an audience with in Droylesden in November. Here are a few pictures of the nights whic went down really well and will be included in Eric's DVD later in the year.

19th October 2005

We had a great day on Wednesday June 29th 2005 as we took Eric Mason back to his roots and recorded his memories of the Krays old stamping ground. We followed Eric around the East End and we stopped off at all of the old haunts and filmed Eric as he chatted about his involvement with the brothers and got his views on the twins and there associates. I scripted and planned the walk and Chris Samson filmed the events. We were accompanied by Ben Walsh, Dave McKay, Matt Leech, Rick Senley,Andy Gravenor, Grant and Caz Nesbitt, Jeff Mason, and Paul Lytton. We later met up with Flannagan, Billy Frost, Lennie Hamilton, Wish and Oulaw Phil at the Blind Beggar. Dave the landlord was as always the perfect host. We then took our party to the clubhouse where we stayed till the early hours….what we do without Status Quo folks? Many thanks to Phil and the boys for his hospitality as always. As for the DVD , it is in the process of being edited. We are hoping for a release some time next year. We will of course keep you posted. Below are a selection of photographs from the day, evening, and early morning! Thanks to Rick Senley for the photographs (www.ricksenley.com)

05/06/05

Eric is finally getting his life back on track after his unjust sentence and has found a partner in the shape of a wonderful lady called Trish in Manchester. I’ve met Trish once and spoken to her on the phone on numerous occasions and can say that this lady is good for him. I’ve been in touch with Eric every week and have had a few days here and there with him. Joe Pyle held his last boxing show in honour of Eric and there was a good turn out in Streatham. A good night was had by all and the party went on until the early hours.

I then journeyed to Manchester to meet up with Eric and introduce him to Rick Senley who wanted to write a piece on him for ‘Front’ magazine. They hit it off immediately and we visited one of Eric’s locals, ‘The Ugly Duckling’ in Salford. Dawn and I had a date with Kylie Minogue later that night so left the two of them together and the resulting interview can be found in the July edition out mid-June, so order your copy now!

The following day I journeyed to Edinburgh with Eric to meet up with his publisher Bill Campbell of Mainstream Publishing. Bill is very keen to get cracking on Eric’s new epic and Stu Wheatman will be working on this with him. I have agreed to write the foreword for the book and I’m very honoured to do so. There is a lot of work to do on his book, but we will update you on the progress as and when.

At the end of the month I’ll be working with Eric and Chris Sansom on Eric’s DVD which we hope to have out just in time for Christmas. There will also be a couple of live shows forthcoming, so please keep checking the website for any future dates.

Eric, as always, thanks you for your continuing support.

Thanks to Grant Nesbitt, Rick Senley & Dawn for the photos below

16/01/05

Thanks to Nalina for the 5 photos below from Eric's homecoming party. Further updates on Eric will follow shortly including the new postal address. He hopes you are all well and thanks you for your continuous support.

02/01/05

Eric Mason Homecoming Party
Wednesday 17th November 2004
The Hat & Feathers, Manchester
By Matt Leech

A cold and rainy Wednesday morning in Manchester. Nothing new there, the trains and trams slipped in and out of Victoria Station, the workers wearily made their way to the office, umbrellas up, heads down, contemplating another long day. To them, it was another ordinary Manchester day. The train, the rain, the ritual.

But in a pub on Mason Street, just a short walk from the bustling City Centre, this was not an ordinary day. There was an edge to this particular Wednesday. It was a Wednesday that had been circled on the pub calendar for many a long week, and a Wednesday that the staff and customers had been counting the days to.

This Wednesday was the day that Eric Mason was coming home.

It had been three long years since one of Manchester’s most popular figures had sat at the bar in the Hat and Feathers. Three long years since the famous cockney accent had been heard, and three long years since a glass of gin and tonic had sat in the hand that could tell a million and one stories.

As I approached the pub, there was a sense of excitement in the air. The workmen on the building site across the road looked on in amazement as the huge “Welcome Home Eric” banner was hung from the windows, and knock after knock was heard on the Hat and Feathers front door.

Since shortly after dawn they had been arriving, from up and down the country, to welcome him home. An air of expectancy greeted me as I walked into the pub just before eleven o’clock. Balloons were being blown up; suits and ties were being donned by the men, makeup and best frocks by the ladies. The press were out in force, cameramen, reporters, and TV crews. All to welcome Eric back onto his home turf. Somewhere which all agreed he should never have been taken away from.

Much of the pub had been redecorated since Eric had last been home, but his picture still hung overlooking the bar. It had been a constant reminder of him in the days, weeks, months and years that he had been away. But today, the man himself would stand at the bar, and how he had been missed.

As the last of the balloons was blown up, and the press took their places with cameras at the ready, the phone rang. It was the call we had been waiting for. Eric was just two minutes away. As we gathered around the small doorway, it felt like waiting at a surprise party for the guest to arrive, and moments later, he did.

A broad grin spread across Eric’s face as he strode through the door, which was quickly replaced by a look of surprise as he realised how many people were there. Hands were stretched out to warmly shake his, and he did so gladly. Only one hand was free though, and not this time as a result of the handcuffs that were clamped upon him over three years ago. An unscheduled café stop on the way to the Hat and Feathers had been made, and the man himself returned to his stomping ground clutching a bacon sandwich!

The shutters on the cameras whirled as Eric took his place in the small snug to talk to the assembled media. Meanwhile, his good friend and chief campaigner Steve Wraith looked on proudly. I sat in the snug at the next table to Eric with Steve and our good friend Andy Gravenor who had travelled from Birmingham to join the party, and we listened as Eric regaled the Manchester Evening News reporter with tale after tale of his days as a close friend and confident of the Kray twins in the 1960’s, as well as the injustice at his recent imprisonment. The three of us sat silently and felt privileged to be there to hear it.

With the round of interviews and photo calls completed, Eric went to change into his suit and get ready for the biggest party the Hat and Feathers had seen. As Andy and I settled down to start the festivities, Steve Wraith sprang his surprise on us. The car was waiting outside, ready to whisk us across Manchester.

We jumped in and Eric’s good friend and business partner Tom negotiated his way through the rain and the never-ending traffic jams of central Manchester. Some twenty minutes later, we pulled up outside a warehouse. We were directed to the very top floor and worked our way up the old wooden staircase and through and small door, into a gym. We were directed again, through the gym to yet another small door. As this door opened, we were greeted with a full size boxing ring. In the ring, shadow boxing in front of the huge mirror that took up one wall of the room, was Steve’s surprise. The W.B.U. Light Welterweight Champion Of The World, Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton.

Steve had arranged, through Eric, for us to spend a few hours with Ricky and his team at his gym and watch him train in preparation for his upcoming fight in London on 11th December. Something which is rarely seen by eyes outside the intimate training camp, and especially rare so close to a World Championship fight.

We watched in awe as Ricky pounded a four feet thick body belt worn by his trainer for four three minute rounds. To look at him, the first question you ask yourself is where does the power come from? He is not a muscle ripped man mountain, he is quiet and unassuming, but once that bell rang, he rained down punch after punch. To see this at such close quarters was simply breathtaking. Our resident cameraman Chris filmed the session and went walkabout to get footage of Ricky’s “stable mates.” Michael Gomez the W.B.U. Super Featherweight Champion decided to test Chris’s agility and sent the speedball flying towards the camera, prompting poor Chris to take evasive action!

As Ricky finished his four rounds on the body belt, he moved onto a circuit of hurdle vaulting and punchbag rounds with young Mancunian prospect Stephen Bell. Again, the work rate was relentless, as was the heat generated in the room. Steve, Andy and I decided to take a breather in the café and had some photographs taken with Michael Gomez. As we returned, the session had finished and Ricky posed for endless photos with ourselves and the Hatton fans from Sunderland who had travelled down for the day as winners of an auction prize at the recent Charity Night held in Gateshead by Steve Wraith for the Newcastle based Bubble Appeal.
Eric’s friend Tom then duly arrived to whisk us back across Manchester, once we had said our thanks and goodbyes to Ricky and his trainer Billy Graham and his team, and as we walked back into the Hat and Feathers, the party was by now in full swing!

The main man, Eric Mason, was by now suited and booted and working his way around the hundreds of friends and supporters who had gathered to celebrate his homecoming. Clutching a gin and tonic and sporting a huge smile, he was in his element. The karaoke machine was put to maximum use by young and old alike, and the songs ranged from Frank Sinatra to Robbie Williams and back again.

Steve Wraith, who had been toning his vocal chords in the sunshine of Tenerife in the week prior to Eric’s release, set the standard, and plenty followed his lead!

Camera’s flashed and video cameras rolled as people were anxious to keep a permanent record of this momentous occasion. Dave Courtney was represented by his cousin Kev, and Steve Wraith’s website www.thegeordieconnection.com which has played a huge part in giving Eric’s campaign maximum exposure, as well as keeping him inundated with letters from supporters up and down the country, was well represented by Steve himself, Dave Mackay from Tranmere (who was asked by one Hat and Feathers regular if he was Steve Wraith’s dad!!), Ronnie Wilson from Newcastle, Tony from Cheshire and Matt from Leeds. The drinks flowed well into the night and Eric went from table to table thanking everyone for sharing the night with him. The sense of occasion was overwhelming.

Perhaps the most poignant moment of the night was the arrival of Winnie Johnson, mother of Keith Bennett, who still campaigns as vociferously today as she did 40 years ago to bring her son home to be buried by his loved ones. Winnie is a close friend of Eric’s and has been a huge supporter of him during his imprisonment. I considered it an honour to spend a few moments with her, and have some photographs taken with her to put on various websites in support of her campaign.

As the night wore on, Steve Wraith conducted a collection for Eric, which raised over £150. As he stepped onto the stage to receive this, Eric appeared genuinely moved at this gesture, and thanked all those present for supporting him over the last three years and coming to welcome him home.

The buffet was then opened and the singing was put on hold for a short while, but the people continued to arrive to show their support for Eric. The partying continued well into the night, but I was one of the unfortunate few who had to leave early to catch a train back to Leeds that night.

All in all, the whole day was a huge success and demonstrated the huge amount of respect, affection and support afforded to Eric by his friends and supporters from all over the country.

05/12/04

First of all thanks to you all for your support whilst Eric was at her majesteys pleasure. You got him through his miscarriage of justice, and i know how grateful he is. His release party was a huge success but unfortunately Eric has fallen out with the charlatans posing as friends and is currently living with a close friend.Anyone wishing to contact him please email me at the usual address thegeordieconnection@hotmail.com and i'll get back in touch with you. Any further new or events will be advertised on here or on his official site www.ericmason.co.uk. Thanks again for your support.

20/09/04

I visited Eric on the 23rd August with Andy Wales. I had a hangover from hell, but it lifted as i arrived at HMP Garth. Eric was buzzing. He was careful what he said but i could tell he had been given some good news. The visit as usual passed over to quickly. As we said our goodbyes Eric said he would phone me the next day. I was awoken at 8-00am. I recognised the voice immediately. It was Eric. The reason he had been son happy the previous day was because he had at last been granted his parole. Eric Mason will be released on November 19th 2004. He is determined to get back on with his life and is looking forward to meeting all his friends that he has written to whilst at her majestys pleasure. Details will be revealed in due course of where and when the party of the year will be. You lot will be the first to know. From Eric and myself. Thanks for your support.

01/02/04

Ok ok we are lazy! We know. We are now proud to present the photos from Charlie Masons special day with Steve present as the Godfather. Eric is fit and well and still residing in HMP Garth. He is working hard on his new book and is being ably assisted by all of his close friends and family. He wants us to say a big big thankyou to all of you have written to him and supported him over recent months. That includes, macca,ronnie,sonic, andy, tony,wolfie, and last but not least Tel. Tel has played a huge role recently in trying to resolve the fallout between Eric and various factions. His work and actions throughout the last few months have pleased Eric immensley. Although there is still a lot of work to do there is certainly life at the end of the tunnel. Eric does say however that the title of peacemaker still remains with Johnny Nash his close friend. As far as Erics incarceration goes we are coming to the end of this futile sentence. If all goes according to plan Eric will be decategorised in April and will be shipped out to an open prison. Kirkham has been mentioned. This will allow Eric home visits and eventual release. We are hoping that by xmas 2004 we will all have cause to celebrate. Eric has a lot of plans for the future. If anything good has come out of this sentence it is that he has had the chance to become friends with a whole new set of people. Yes ....YOU! He is looking forward to meeting you all in due course.

04/09/03

At last the photograph that you have all been waiting for. Ladies and Gentlemen let me introduce to you....Charlie Mason. I'm proud to say that i will be Charlies Godfather sometime in October. A date for the christening has yet to be set.Eric is doing well and Aileen has just got back from a two week break in Ireland with her family. I will be visiting Eric in the next couple of weeks.

28/06/03

I'm off to see Eric this week. He is still buzzing after the birth of Charlie and wants to say a big thankyou for all your cards and best wishes. He has a goal to aim for now folks....release. He will hopefully be decategorised on July 28th and then he's on the home straight. He doesn't want any campaigns or letters to the Home Office, he just wants to do his time and then come out to fatherhood once more. Aileen is fine and so is Charlie. The double of Eric by all accounts. We will post a photo as soon as we get one.Please keep writing to Eric,as he loves his mail. He will write back so don't panic if you don't get an immediate reply. He is busy typing away as i type working on his new book. It will be a warts and all version, no holds barred. I'm sure we all wait with baited breath. I'll let you all know how the visit went next week.

22/06/03

Congratulations to Eric and Aileen on the birth of their beautiful daughter Charlie Mason. We will be posting a photograph here as soon as we get it. Mother and baby are both doing well and the father is of course on cloud nine. We will be updating the phone line in the next few days with Erics answers to your questions. I've heard the tape and Eric gives you good insight into his life with the Krays. Anymore questions please email me at my usual address.

21/03/03

Not much to report on Eric at the moment. He is finding solace in his radio and in the many letters he is still recieving. The good news is that he has been granted a move closer to home and should be moved within the next six weeks. We will let you know first on the site, so please keep checking here and the message board for updates.I haven't spoken to Eric for a while but Aileen says that he sounds well. He is obviously dissapointed with Arsenals demise, they will just have to do the double again mate! He has asked me to put the following quote on the board today.

'The only thing i'd like to go on the site this week is my LOVE for Aileen for being there for me, and , to thank everyone that has written to me or sent their good wishes and support for the belief in me when i said not guilty. Thank you all. You can put a special mention to Tel as he has been very supportive.Take care. Eric Mason'

As i keep saying. Please keep writing to Eric,as it keeps him going folks. Don't forget the talk the talk party at Erics' pub on April 12th. And if you can get along to 'Union Jaques' pub next wednesday to support Ronnie and Mick Biggs, you will get a chance to meet Aileen and charlie!

28/02/03

It's been all quiet on the Eric front this week. I missed his call on Monday and as yet he hasn't called again. He is ok though and i recieved a letter from him at the weekend. There has been confusion over Erics current cat status. He is convinced that he is cat B , but as we all thought of Parkhurst as a cat A , hence the confusion! Eric was meeting with officials this week to clarify the matter. Aileen is teaming up with Angel on April 12th to host another talk the talk do at Erics pub 'The Hat And Feathers' in Manchester. When we have more details we will post them on here and on the message board.

14/02/03

Just a quick note to let you all know that Eric got knocked back on a move back North meaning he will have to serve 6 months in Parkhurst. He is in good spirits. Let's hope the law is equal. An asian gentleman from Erics neck of the woods recieved a five year sentence for luring a 16 year old girl to the flat above his shop. Drugged her and raped her. He is back out now after serving just 12 months. Eric should be out by xmas then....no....that would be too much like common sense.The law is quite frankly an ass!

06/02/03

I recieved a letter from Eric today. He has had a meeting with prison officials to see wether he has to serve six months at Parkhurst before requesting a move to a prison nearer Manchester and his friends and family. He should be given his answer by friday so we will let you know. He has once again asked me to thank you all for your letters of support.On the film front Eric has signed an aggrement over to myself and Stuart Wheatman to develop a screen play of his book the 'Brutal Truth'. We await similar letters of agreement from Bill Campbell (who is currently on holiday) and Fred, Eric's solicitor. Once we have those in our possesion we will get cracking. It will not be so much a Krays 2 as an accurate account of Erics life and those he was associated with. We know that it will get called the Krays 2 though! And my interpretation of events and characters will help Stu to write an exciting accurate film. I'm looking forward to it. We have a few other projects with Eric on the back burner. So watch this space.

30/01/03
Eric was shanghied to Parkhurst on the 28th January 2003 against his wishes. He had asked to be transferred to a prison nearer his friends and family in Manchester, and was assured that he was on his way back up North. He now finds himself as a Category B con in an Category A prison. He is now in segragation. Why? They won't tell us.As soon as we know then we will post a bulletin on here. The isle of wight is million miles from the visiting room in Pentonville that we shared together on Friday 24th.Eric was in good spirits. He wasn't happy there.But he had decided to keep his head down and wait for a good move. He will be gutted. But he is made of strong stuff Eric. He has been here before. He told me that he was back in the old routine and that prison hadn't changed much in 30 years. He is counting the days till his parole. We chatted about the film we intend to make of his life over a coffee and snickers in a packed visiting room between 2 and 4. He wants me to thank you all for your support and i will ask you now to keep writing. Even if you think your life is tedious and boring, its a lifeline to Eric. Keep him up to date on you and your life. It's important. Apart from letter writing Eric derives a lot of pleasure from his radio. He loves Talk Radio, Talk Sport. James Whale imparticular. If you are brave enough get yourself on there and give him a shout...he will be listening. There is no doubt in my mind that Eric has been set up in an elaborate Police sting. He will have the last laugh. He has a lot of people on his side. Justice will prevail.

Jeff Mason