From the mid fifties on, in village halls, church halls, scout halls, in bedrooms, or anywhere we could go and not annoy our parents, a revolution was taking place (writes Raymond Dony).

This green and pleasant land was slowly shaking off the horrors of world war two, rationing was easing and we could see a future far removed from that experienced by our parents.

Skiffle was becoming the music for the young and in a few years it would mature in to the music we called pop music.

In Tenby, any form of musical entertainment was a muted affair, and in public houses, shut tap at ten thirty the thought of a sing-song was a no no.

Tenby was a resort of refinement, the premier Welsh resort. And was advertised as such.

In 1959, things, were stirring at the Fountains or café with William (Billy) Cole, Dave Richards, Brum Maker, and John (Digger) Brown.

Playing to the youngsters and some mesmerised mums and dads, Billy saw the future of the music for teenagers lay in his hands and six strings stretched across a wooden frame, a guitar.

So with the guitar groups The Shadows and the American group The Ventures the format for a three guitar and a drummer line up was established.

This fired up Billy to form a beat/pop group, but where would he find like minded youngsters with similar aspirations and willingness to invest a few pounds on equipment.

Billy is quick to mention the help given to him, and others, by Laurie Dale by providing guitars, and a purchase plan based on trust, and not hire purchase. Laurie provided a weekly card and Billy would pay on a weekly basis a few pounds.

The first group Billy formed in 1961 was The Tremolos with John Dougherty on drums and Dave Richards and Robin Dalton.

The Tremolos were probably the first established group in the Tenby area. It was always a problem keeping four or five like minded players together with girlfriends, career changes, further education etc. making inroads on a part time pursuit as a pop star.

So in 1965 Billy was now in a band called The Four Fathoms, Digger Brown, Chris Garrod, Ian (Melody) Harman, and Billy.

Ian was a talented guitarist and could grace any group as a lead guitarist. The Fathoms played in and around the Tenby area playing in hotels, youth clubs, dance halls, village halls, and they played at functions.

Billy was also in group called the Foot Tappers with Paul Bradforth and Chris Garrod, a three piece group much in demand, and holding the residency at Crackwell for two seasons.

Careers in the music industry, no matter at any level can be short or long. In the case of Billy it is a long, long non ending story, helped by players like Martin Richards, Pete Mitchel and Lloyd Coles.

In fact Billy is still strutting his stuff performing in hotels and playing at functions. So when we consider his background his parents Eileen and Dick Cole were accomplished musicians, and Billy’s son Richard was promising musician, and so we come to the next generation of the Cole dynasty Bill’s grandson Beck, still in his early teens and a great song writer, a very good guitarist.

Watch this space for further developments on Beck’s career.