The Pearly Kings and Queens

Peter: 18th Apr 2005 - 16:14 GMT

wow... what a phenomenon! i recall seeing people in those sort of buttoned outfits on tv or something, but never knew the story. thanks for sharing this bit of london lore. its nice to read about obscure history!

elaine: 18th Apr 2005 - 19:48 GMT

did you ever read the victorian underworld by donald thomas? iss very good. loads on london working and underclass culture, reads like a how to in parts, its like a rough guide to the rookeries

Jean: 4th May 2005 - 14:31 GMT

Thank you grew up in Lambeth moved to Australia was asked about the history and how it began and couldn't tell, now I can go to work tomorrow and tell them about the history and how it began.Fasinating story thanks very much

Sylvia Womersley: 8th Jun 2005 - 22:51 GMT

Lovely to see these almost forgotten images of my childhood, I was born in East London and do not know nearly enough about the cultures at that time. I now live in Australia and love it but, my roots still belong where I grew-up, and to pass it on to those here who know nothing of it all but are interested.

margaret samuels: 4th Jul 2005 - 12:24 GMT

My mother and father were pearlies and I never knew the origin of how they came about. They never spoke a lot about the history so I am very pleased to find out how they originated is there anywhere else I can look to find out more about them?

DS: 26th Sep 2005 - 14:20 GMT

www.pearlysociety.co.uk - The London Pearly Kings and Queens Society

sally: 10th Oct 2005 - 15:33 GMT

i dnt thhink this is a very good site really because if children are ressearching this isnt a very chlid friendly website is it? WHO WITH ME?

kelsey: 10th Oct 2005 - 16:23 GMT

yes, woe to the child that happens across your terrible spelling and grammar, sally... that could- indeed- be quite a bad influence.

jamie: 10th Oct 2005 - 17:47 GMT

to be honest i can think of much more inapropriate websites a child might stumble upon when searching for pearly kings and queens. hey kids! would you like a nice pearl necklace? images.google.co.uk/images?q=pearl necklace

Jamie: 16th Nov 2005 - 16:13 GMT

east london?

loan-oei@wxs.nl: 13th Jan 2006 - 10:05 GMT

Could anyone give me the telephone number and/or email address of the Pearly Kings & Queens Association? Is Mrs. Pam Harman still the secretary of the Association? Thank you for your information.

Pearlykingjim: 29th Jan 2006 - 12:09 GMT

you can contact pearlykingjim for any information about the Genuine London Pearly kings and Queens
visit our site
www.genuinelondonpearlykingsandqueens.com

mia: 23rd Feb 2006 - 16:09 GMT

this is realy cool thanks 4 helping out with my homework

Lee Montague: 7th Mar 2006 - 10:39 GMT

I would like to know if there is any web site that I could look at to find pictures of my family, That are TRUE pearlys the Harmans...Pam, Charlie,and Dawn and the Montagues William(Dick) Montague and Kate Montague...Thank you

pearly king of brent: 21st Mar 2006 - 19:46 GMT

hi my names jack james i am replying to lee montagues comment i am dawn harmans son and i am also a pearly king of brent the orinal pearly association has got there new website run by dawn harman and the original pearlys the website is www.originalpearlys.org and it will be up and running in the next couple of weeks also me mum says hi and you killed her budgie (dawn james) if you would like to get in touch email me on jj_05me@hotmail.co.uk and we can keep in touch thanks jack james pearly king of brent Pam and charlie are ok aswell thanks

Dawn James: 3rd May 2006 - 10:11 GMT

Pam Harman can be contacted by e-mail pamharman@btinternet.com and yes se is still the secretary of the pearly kings and queens association

JACK PEARLY KING OF BRENT (host81-159-175-220.range81-159.btcentralplus.com): 10th May 2006 - 11:28 GMT

hi i am pearly king of brent after my garandad my nan is the secretary of the association which is Mrs pam harman pearly queen of brent our association is the real pearly association ORIGINAL as there are some associations out there who say there real and there not we are the original pearly kings and queens!!!! as for contacting pam u can e-mail me because all pearly stuff i get through i pass to Mrs pam harman as i am her grandson and she is the secretary you can e-mail me on jj_05me@hotmail.co.uk and as for pearly king jim he is also not a real pearly dont be fooled by him or over fake pearlys as it says in our title THE ORIGINAL PEARLY KINGS AND QUEENS ASSOCIATION you can find us also at st martins in the field in londan in the first sunday in october for our harvest festival hope to see you there so please e-mail me for information or even just to ask bout the original pearlys on jj_05me@hotmail.co.uk {we also have a website now on www.originalpearlys.org}

JACK PEARLY KING OF BRENT (host81-159-175-220.range81-159.btcentralplus.com): 10th May 2006 - 11:33 GMT

HELLO MY NAME IS JACK JAMES PEARLY KING OF BRENT HERE ARE A FEW PHOTOS OF OUR ASSOCIATION PLEASE CONTACT ME ON jj_05me@hotmail.co.uk to find out more and information thanks
JACK PEARLY KING

Gillian Turner: 26th Jun 2006 - 16:20 GMT

Trying to find out some information on my mother Ada Oakley of Canning Town apparently she was known as "The Queen of Canning Town" Now I was Wondering if this related to the fact she might have been a Pearly Queen
Would anyone be able to help me with this? would appreciate if able.
Gillian Turner

jamie: 30th Jul 2006 - 00:04 GMT

As Canning Town is in Newham, East London it's probably highly likely, yes.

Diane Dole: 10th Sep 2006 - 11:01 GMT

Hello all
very intresting to look at the comments about pearlies, why oh why all backbiting and arguements about who are original pearlies and who are not.
surely the way a person conducts themselves ie love for the fellow man and good honest values is the most important criteria for a pearly.My family who are original pearlies go about our work ie fundraising entertaining without all the fanfare that a few pearlies appear to need.
so come on pearlies work together for the sake of our history because otherwise all our good work could be remembered for our bickering and argueing. Please anyone who would like to challenge our right to be pearlies remember my great grandad was the first original pearly king of st Pancras and was a dear friend of Henry Croft.My great grandad George Dole was one of the founder members of our pearly guild we choose to not join groups as from our own personal experience we did not like all the bickering.
I send with this message
much love to one and all
because ONE NEVER KNOWS! Pearly princess of st Pancras Diane

ray : 21st Sep 2006 - 16:30 GMT

strange I thought the cooper family was the st pancras pearlie
never heard of the pearly princess above or her family

Jan: 25th Sep 2006 - 21:25 GMT

Were any Turner families in London Pearlies. How could I find out ?

cheryl: 29th Sep 2006 - 18:12 GMT

ive been told i have family way back that they where pearly kings and queens where could i find out about them would be grateful for the help

Martin: 10th Oct 2006 - 19:21 GMT

I met the Pearly Queens of Shorditch and Homerton last Saturday.
Lovely ladies and raising money for a very worthwhile cause.
http://www.richardhouse.org.uk/

kim: 7th Nov 2006 - 05:32 GMT

hi there was a turner family of pearlies they were pearly king and queen of edmonton there is a bit about them in pearl binders book called the pearlies a social history you can get a copy on ebay or amazon there is alos a photo of mrs turner ion there to hope this helps you

sharon : 8th Nov 2006 - 00:37 GMT

I relly enjoy reading all the history of the pearly king and queen
my girls school are doing a day where if every one pay 1 pound to a charaty they can come dressed in there coulers of there flag or a releguers or tradishanal cultral dress I guess for all the children that come in repersenting london will just have the union jack or st gorges flag so I am going to put some buttons on to some black clothing wont look as nice as the one in the pitchers and print of some of this page not the sick coment from jamies , then hopfull all the children in the school can learn about pearly king and queen . sorry about spelling have dyslixer

anon (cache-los-ac07.proxy.aol.com): 15th Nov 2006 - 17:06 GMT

I've Just gone through some of the comments about pearly kings and queens.
to the pearly king of Brent about your statement about PEARLYKINGJIM
get your facts right before you engadge your north and south. pearlykingjim was in buttons long before half of you
so called original pearlies even knew what pearly kings and queens was all about. half of the them are made up were they were given titles like sweet just to boost your group.
i remember years ago when opk&q started you caused alot of bad feelings
between genuine pearlies are are still doing so till this day
go on come back to me i've got nothing to hide about my my pearly family history. you can e-mail me or get me on the dog and bone the numbers on my website www.genuinelondonpearlykingsandqueens.co.uk

i know a lot more than you think
from pearlykingjim jimmy jukes genuine pearlyking of camberwell
son of Bob & Katie Jukes the genuine and original pearly king and queen of camberwell

anon (cache-los-ac07.proxy.aol.com): 17th Nov 2006 - 07:59 GMT

Jeff
it's not a throwdowm. it's to let you all know that Genuine pearly kings and queens dont have to be members of the opk&q all though it may seem like that.
A few years back a stament was made to the press from the pearly queen of brent saying that george Major pearly king of peckham and the Pearly guild were not real pearlies and had no right to wear the titles
and that the okp&q were the original pearlies.george was one of the first pearly to get the opk&q together running all over london finding were they were ang getting them together and got no thanks just stabbed in the back.
At the time of this statement
The Pearly guild members were
George major and family who have publicly been a target with claims that the major family are not pearlies' i dont get on with george nowdays
but to give the man is due he as done more for the pearlies in th past
than any other pearly i know and still till this day does.
then their was Alf & Mary Dole with Princess di st pancras pearlies their family history goes back to the start.
Alf grandfather was George Dole original Pearly king of st pancras
and close friend of henry croft'
Goerge Davidson pearly king of newham who's father was an original pearly
and were the motto comes from one never knows
and the pearly king of camberwell originala "sarf" london pearly family
may howard pearly queen of wapping old man davidson daughter
now can anyone tell me why these people are not original and genuine pearly kings and queens. i would like to know!
so what ever you have read about the above they have every right to wear the title of pearly king and queen.

JACK JAMES PEARLY KING : 20th Nov 2006 - 18:09 GMT

A comment made about jimmy jukes was not made by me jack james pearly king of borough he is also a pearly king as i am and do not no who put that comment from me but he is also a genuine pearly as myself thank you jack

lisa: 18th Jan 2007 - 21:12 GMT

could you help i work in a residental home in bermondsey and i wonder if there is anyway i could arrange for anyone to come to the home to have a sing song could you let me know if there is anyway of getting in touch with anyone to find out if it could be possible we have arange of residents that always talk about the pearly kings and queens there is a lady who is 105 years old and another
lady of 100years old it would make there day please could you send me any info on this thank you for your time email address is lisagreen4@btinternet.com

Janet: 1st Feb 2007 - 21:56 GMT

I work in the pearl department of a big store in Cannnes France. we are organising an English culture week and I remembered my dad (who was born in the old Kent road in 1928) telling me about the pearly kings and queens so finding your site was perfect I am sure you are going to make a hit down here the costumes are fab and the history of it all very touching.

thank you

Janet

Brian : 5th Feb 2007 - 18:52 GMT

Hi,
As a London boy I am ashamed to say that I did not know where the Pearlys came from until I came across the story of Henry Croft today.
I've followed up a number of sites and been impressed with the values that created the Pearlys. An extreemly impressive history. However, I am saddened by the debate about who is 'original'.

It might be an idea to take a step backwards and consider who Henry Croft would think was an original Pearly. Surely he would want those to be called Pearlys, not by just birthright or family line alone but by the nature of what's in their hearts and their attitude towards their fellow man. For him it was one of support and inclusion and not of putting others down and exclusion which brought you into being.

In saying that I can understand how irritating it would be to see people 'wearing the uniform' but not doing anything for it.

The important thing is that you, yourselves know if you are in Henry's image or not and that will tell you and the world if you are original.
Keep this great tradition going - Never let it die- Don't become divided.

harmans: 14th Mar 2007 - 23:26 GMT

hello im after lee montague it is his family the harmans and he sent jack an email but we have lost his email adress so if any one can get lee montagues email adrees plz let me no

wayne adams: 15th Mar 2007 - 09:11 GMT

all organisations have bickering...i,m hoping that as a london boy of Cockney decent (and proud of it) All the pearlys can stay united in the cause..it,s a shame that i detect a bit of conflict between a few members

wayne montague: 22nd Mar 2007 - 19:32 GMT

hi, my grandfather & grandmother were original pearlies doing charity work all over the country, my grandfather wore pearlies for over 40 odd years and even when i was younger there was back biting among pearlies in the 70's

lops: 9th Apr 2007 - 07:59 GMT

i have a pearly king jacket and on the back it says : pearly king of cavemdish school and i saw ian dury wearing one

tisha: 20th Jul 2007 - 16:55 GMT

uncle jim or jamie if you still go on this site can you get intouch wit me love tish x

Worked with the Pearly king of Peckham: 6th Sep 2007 - 08:52 GMT

Up until yesterday, i hadn't heard about this long tradition but i had the luck of being cast in a small film along with Geroge Major pearly King of Pecham and i must say he is a lovely chap with many interesting stories, was lovely to meet him and he did look really good in his suit.

j smith: 1st Oct 2007 - 12:41 GMT

so you met a pearly by the name of george major its a shame you were hoodwinked by this man. mr major is not a real pearly king and never as been, sure he can spin a yarn and tell porkies all day he is very good at that. you should have asked him were the money goes that he collects on behalf of so called charities in his pockets thats were.
by the way was the film called billy liar im sure mr major would make a good leading man

anon (host86-156-88-225.range86-156.btcentralplus.com): 2nd Nov 2007 - 17:29 GMT

I have known George Major as The Pearly King of Peckham for many years, so I can write with true knowledge of this good man.
I am writing in full defence of him as I know many who know him would.
It appears from a terrible and scandalous "write up" on this website that you do not know this man as many do.
George is still recovering from a quadruple heart bypass at the moment and I would hate to think how he would feel if he knew of what has been written about him. I do know, however, that he would be very saddened at seeing the Pearly history destroyed by the few.
George in his life time has worked hard for the Pearlies and their history. In fact, he has a book being released by his publishers early 2008 about his life and the Pearly tradition.
Anyone interested in the true Pearly History should buy/borrow and read this book about Georges life, The Pearly history and what it takes to be a REAL Pearly King!
Anyone who feels they need to leave defamatory remarks (which other than on a website would be deemed libellous) should be ashamed of themselves.
This on a website that surely was intended to promote Pearlies and their history......What a shame.....

A LIST OF PEARLIES BY BOROUGH?: 2nd Nov 2007 - 17:34 GMT

Does anyone have a list of current Pearlies by Borough? and their contact details?
Surely this would be helpful to event organisers/schools etc wanting a Pearly King or Queen in attendance.....

Diane Dole: 5th Nov 2007 - 09:47 GMT

Hello in answer to the question of the current list of pearlies, i agree it would be very useful but unfortuatly from my knowledge i have not found a list with a full genuine list of pearlies.
Some families are either left out completly or the incorrect family given titles which are not theirs.
So sadly you may have some success finding a few sites which have a list but they probably will not be fully loaded.
best wishes and happy hunting
Diane Dole pearly Princess of st Pancras
our website address is www.pearlykingandqueenentertainers.co.uk

J.Smith: 20th Nov 2007 - 16:09 GMT

22 October 2002

"Pearly King" Jailed for Fraud - George Major, 64, the self proclaimed Pearly King of Peckham was jailed after he was convicted of eleven counts of defrauding benefits. Major was caught after a tip-off led to investigators from Epsom and Ewell discovering that he had failed to declare a house which he owned and was renting out under a false name. He had not mentioned the property on any claims for Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Income Support although it had been bought in 1987. He had admitted the eleven charges that resulted in a total of over £75,000 worth of benefit being paid. Major was sentenced to 11 terms of six months to run concurrently. He was also ordered to pay £18,862 in compensation and £3,000 costs within 28 days.
_____

pearlykingjim: 22nd Nov 2007 - 09:44 GMT

j smith have you a problem with pearly kings and queens

pearlykingjim: 22nd Nov 2007 - 09:57 GMT

having just read some comments on this page it seems some people have a problem with londons pearly kings and queens
did your mother hit you over the head with a bag of buttons when you were a dustbin lid.
come on give us a all break, London pearlies do a lot of good
ok there as been some bad press about pearly kings and queens
and some of this is in-house with the back stabbing from over egoed
plastic pearlies,
but on the hole we are good people, you the public will know who is genuine or not in the pearly world,your not stupid.
all i can say is get a lfe who ever you are
and all the best of cockney luck
pearlykingjim genuine pearly king of camberwell
if to would like to comment send me a E-mail
at pearlykingjim@yahoo.co.uk
www.genuinelondonpearlykingsandqueens.co.uk
www.thebarrowboys.co.uk
genuine cockney entertainment

coastagirl66: 24th Nov 2007 - 07:58 GMT

i have an herritage to be a princess but have not put a suit on for years.
i have met many many pearlies but one pearly stay's in my mind george pearly king of peckham; i rememeber i was a little girl and we all met at the funeral of marriot.
since the first meeting i was fortunate to be asked with my family to attend some charity functions with george and his family. how that man would walked into a room full of sadness and lost hope and fill it with an over whelming ray of sunshine in there lives i will never forget this man who did so much for people, than he even knows.
so georgie you have not seen me for some time you used to call me your princess so if you happen to read this i know you would know who i am yes i still have my market stall
so georgie the very best of cockney luck x
jsmith are you a pearly as i have never heard of the name?
is so the history is definatley dying with you, what is your problem i have read all these articals and you seem a very jealous man leaves me feeling sad for you.
we are all our own person's and you need to find peace within my dear friend otherwise
you wont go the them pearly gates now will you.

pearlykingjim: 27th Nov 2007 - 12:16 GMT

pearlykingjim: 27th Nov 2007 - 12:23 GMT

In this photo which was taken in 1963 at Hampton court palace
are uncle fred and aunt mary tinsley
katie jukes genuine pearly queen of camberwell
and a young pearlykingjim
for more photos please log on to the website
www.genuinelondonpearlykingsandqueens.co.uk

pearlykingjim: 27th Nov 2007 - 12:41 GMT

ALF & MARY DOLE GENUINE PEARLY KING & QUEEN OF ST PANCRAS
QUEEN MAY DAVIDSON GENUINE PEARLY QUEEN OF WAPPING
PEARLYKINGJIM GENUINE PEARLY KING OF CAMBERWELL & CHELSEA FOOTBALL CLUB

ALL ORIGINAL NO PLASTICS

Student1UCL: 1st Dec 2007 - 20:40 GMT

They look proper, the original pearlies! Keep up the good work!

tracey cornwell-boylan-jukes: 14th Dec 2007 - 22:43 GMT

keep up the good work uncle jim !!! proud of our family say hi to debs!!!!

anon (79-75-205-114.dynamic.dsl.as9105.com): 29th Dec 2007 - 15:27 GMT

HI to all you good people alf and mary diane george major and may davidson. The list of names go on and on good people all of them .ME AND MY MATE have had some good times with you all. DAZ N CHAVE. TRIBUTE CHAS N DAVE. See you all soon x PS good luck GEORGE. hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhHAPPY new year lets go down ta MARGIT from KEITH chas.

marriott: 1st Jan 2008 - 23:16 GMT

To coastagirl66, I have a little information regarding pearly marriott's: Beatrice Marriott - Festival Queen, Edward (Wiggy) Marriott - King, Jessie Marriott - Queen.
I am interested in any history you (or others) can add or if you can point me in the best direction to do a bit of research. Ta!

marriott: 1st Jan 2008 - 23:30 GMT

Got the info from the society list page - sorted it out myself ta.

coastagirl66: 9th Jan 2008 - 15:26 GMT

MARRIOT I AM GLAD YOU HAVE FOUND WHAT YOU WAS LOOKING FOR MARRIOT AND WIGGY WERE LOVELY
AND NEVER FORGOTTEN IN MY THOUGHTS.
IF THERE IS ANY HELP YOU NEED JUST ASK MY PETAL X X X
BEST OF COCKNEY LUCK

pearly princess peckham {tammy}: 17th Jan 2008 - 18:56 GMT

hi to everyone that knows me. its very sad the way people talk about pearlies. my mum rest her soul was one of the greatest pearly Queens Ann Major my dad Has always been a good pearly. he puts on his suit and thinks nothing of him self. If pearlies earned money for doing charity work then i would be sitting in a perfect house but instead i sit in a council property without the luxury items that that sort of money would buy. i want to say dad i am proud of you and love you with all my pearly heart. thanks for all the great comments about my dad. people in glass houses should not throw stones we all make mistakes i know i have.

Diane Dole: 18th Jan 2008 - 09:32 GMT

Hi Tammy, it has been a while since we have seen each other we have had some great times together in the past. When we all got together especially at our guild meetings we thourougly enjoyed the comraderie, dad and mary send their love to you and the children. I beleive when a person is pointing the finger of blame at another person how many fingers are pointing back? but lets focus on the positive because as we know there has and still is fantastic work being done by pearlies so the good thing about the past is that it is over and i know dad has not had the best of times with his health but
he has the bulldog spirit as del boy would say onwards and upwards we really look forward to seeing you all soon.
much love best wishes and the best of cockney luck to you
Di Alf and Mary the pearlies of st Pancras x

pearly princess peckham {tammy}: 19th Jan 2008 - 09:08 GMT

Hi Diane. Its great to hear from you. Please send my love to all your family. I miss our pearly jobs together as we used to have the most laughs. it would be great if we could all meet up again and chat about the old times. let me know how i can get hold of you and maybe we can sort something out. love tammy x

Diane Dole: 21st Jan 2008 - 09:04 GMT

That would be great Tammy, your dad has my telephone number so give me a call and we can catch up.

love and best wishes
Di x

BUGS: 21st Jan 2008 - 20:50 GMT

On Sat 19th Jan 2008
I held my 40th birthday bash at Chapples bar penton street near the Angel
North of the river. it was a cockney theme, being a good old cockney boy i thought it would be the dogs bollocks and it was.
The Barrow boys entertained the guest's and what a kness up we had.
best night ever. Pearlykingjim was brilliant and on top form.
the old songs really got the bar rocking if you are having a party i highly recommend them. Well done pearlyking and Wayne you can be sure i will be booking you again.
cheers

kim: 30th Jan 2008 - 01:35 GMT

i noticed there is someone looking for the pearlies marriott i have alot of information regarding them if you need any help at all let me know

pearlykingjim: 30th Jan 2008 - 09:02 GMT

Wotch ya Tammy
Long time no see as you can tell by the post on this forum
someone got the hump with pearly kings and queens
your not alone in your comments
i have in the past been acused of loads of things and not just by the public from pearlies who i thought was my friends some friends
i must be cake-o with all that money i collect a lot off people wont pass wind without trying to sell you it. let alone give you money for charity.
and i have found this out with my donkey project
me and debbie have put thousands of pound in to this and with no surport from pearlies or the public. so i dont give two monkeys what people write anymore i can hold my head up with pride, try loking at the plastic pearlies you may come up with somthing there if you want to put us down.
i work hard to keep my donkey centre open and have put all our money in to it.
and like you i live in a run down council Estate in Bemondsey
rented may i add if anyone out there thinks we the genuine pearly kings and queens of london think we are at it!
come and have a look at the bills maybe you can help me out to pay them
I dont think so

Tammy please get in touch me E-mail is pearlykingjim@yahoo.co.uk

Thank you bugs for you nice comment we enjoyed ourself as well

ALL THE BEST OF COCKNEY LUCK
FROM PEARLYKINGJIM
GENUINE PEARLY KING OF CAMBERWELL
& CHELSEA FOOTBALL CLUB

Diane Dole: 4th Feb 2008 - 10:59 GMT

Hi Tony

I have passed your e.mail address on to Daz and Chave.

Diane

tony dj blue: 7th Feb 2008 - 07:43 GMT

hi diane

thanks very much,i got an email the other day,we are now getting in touch,about some bookings.

once again A BIG THANKYOU

j.smith: 21st Feb 2008 - 08:08 GMT

Shiny unhappy people

All is not well in the world of pearly royalty. Beneath the peacock feathers and rhinestone finery is stirring a nasty battle for the soul of the kingdom. In Guildford county court this week, two parties of pearly kings and queens have been scrapping over a collection considered the crown jewels of the order: 14 jackets owned by the founders of the 150-year-old tradition.

Proceedings were adjourned earlier this week, with the court yet to rule on whether the coats belong to George Davison, whose father was once the pearly king of Newham, or George Major, who in 1995 happened upon the costumes in the attic of the Dickens Inn in Lambeth.

One might imagine that the pearly community was one big happy family of benevolent gorblimey chirpiness - but according to Pam Harman, of the London Pearly Kings and Queens Association, pearly world is riven by schisms and populated by imposters. Harman, 61, is the pearly queen of Brent and insists that neither Major nor Davison has "the right to wear the buttons".

"I have an authentic right to wear that title on my back, stretching back to the founding days of the order," she says, speaking from her home in Stevenage. (An odd place, perhaps, to find a spokesperson for all things cockernee, but she insists that the Hertfordshire town was, after all, founded on London overspill.) Harman's parents were both pearly royalty (one of the disputed coats even once belonged to her dad).

Simply wearing buttons is not enough to make you pearly: the proper ones, Harman insists, are those who turn up to the harvest festival in St Martin-in-the-Fields church in London, the bona fide gathering of the clans every October. "There are three pearly organisations, but we are the only one that is legitimate," she says. "There's the Guild of Pearlies, but they don't come from pearly families, and they've given theirselves titles within our members' boroughs. And that's wrong. Then there's London's Pearly Kings and Queens' Society, but none of them have pearly heritage."

Harman made her own pearly suit herself - but refuses to say how many buttons are sewn on it. "That's my party piece," she says, "getting people to guess how many is on it. I do it all for charity. That's what wearing the buttons is all about."

Diane Dole: 21st Feb 2008 - 09:06 GMT

In the words of Chas and Dave.

RABBIT, RABBIT, RABBIT

I do not wish to fuel this unpleasant tittle tattle but give it a rest mate.

The people who i assume read this site are genuinly interested in pearlies and a great London tradition.So out of respect as the old saying goes "IF YOU HAVE NOT GOT ANYTHING NICE TO SAY DO NOT SAY NOTHING AT ALL!!!!!!!!

Eric and Ernie said it all in their song. Bring me Sunshine

all the best of cockney luck

Diane Dole Pearly Princess of st Pancras!

j.smith: 22nd Feb 2008 - 17:20 GMT

pages on the internet are set up for members of the public to share their feeling with others.
if the truth hurts then there must be some truth in it
not everthing in this world is nice
but somtimes you have to face it, so to the lady diane one think one can say what one likes.

student1UCL: 23rd Feb 2008 - 15:39 GMT

RE: j.smith 22/02/08.

Mr Smith, Freedom of speech is one thing, however, when your thoughtless drivel is aimed at good honest people who have done nothing but work tirelessly for many years to raise money for charity. I think people need to look closely at your motives for posting these comments, jealousy maybe? Jealous that the true pearlies are finally gaining the recognition they deserve for their relentless endeavour aimed at helping some of those less fortunate, not that these proud people of tradition would ever ask or expect it from anyone.
So one must conclude......
that one........
is a PLONKER!

Anna: 28th Feb 2008 - 11:31 GMT

Dear Pearly Kings and Queens,
I am a photographer doing my MA at the London College of Communication. I would like to do a photo project on a Pearly family in London. It would be great to start this project as soon as possible in March. Anybody I would photograph will recieve some copies of photos.
This is my email: anna_s30 @ hotmail.com
I would be grateful if anybody interested would contact me via email - or if you know whom i can contact to get in touch with a pearly family.
Many thanks!
anna

Peggy: 1st Mar 2008 - 09:50 GMT

Does anyone have any information about John & Rose Marriot pearly king & queen of Finsbury park, They had children Jean & John.

Keith : 11th Mar 2008 - 19:58 GMT

I would just like to say congratulations to george major- Pearly king of peckham for writing such a fantastic book! The book is called ' The hidden whistle and flute' You should all go and buy one. Its a very good read and a percentage of proceeds from the book is going to 'Help a london child' And to mr John Smith i suggest you read this book and thenyou would soon realise that MR. Major does not give way to bullies! He has genuine history in the pearly's You can go to any library and look at a book with his grandfather listed and on the cover. Thank you Keith from DAZ AND CHAVE.

j.smith: 12th Mar 2008 - 14:06 GMT

Thank you for your comment keith to ward me,
mr Major is not and was never from pearly blood
mr major made himself a Pearly king in the mid 1970
that is not mr majors grandfather on the front cover
the book is full of lies from the start to the finish
i have been involved with the pearlies for the 70 years
and i know what iam talking about
you only know about mr major through what he as told you
did he also tell you that only fools and horse's was based on him
what a load of tripe,just aother cock & bull story made up in the mind of Major
you can take my comments what ever way you like i speek the truth
and if the truth hurts than their must be some truth in it

Peter: 12th Mar 2008 - 14:28 GMT

this thread has taught me that pearlies, above all else, like to argue about their lineage...

Keith : 12th Mar 2008 - 21:31 GMT

Re j smith. I first met you john at the dominoin theatre tottemham court road on chas n daves 25th aneversary. you had a book out on pie and mash shops and soon after that with your family was working with mr major for a pie and mash shop. your famaliy then was dressed in pearls for the first time that was 15 years ago strange for one that has been involved for 70 years. Your dad i remember was the treasurer for george and the guild. Do you remember? I do. So if mr major tells porkys i suggest you look back at the treasurers books for that time and tell us all.

Keith : 12th Mar 2008 - 21:55 GMT

I fear i could be opening a can of worms dont you?

j.smith: 13th Mar 2008 - 17:15 GMT

I do not think we have met, i have never been to the Dominion theatre
i think you have the wrong Mr Smith. if you met my father some 15 years ago, you must be a medium,he died in 1963
also i have never been involved with the Pearly guild.
my knowledge of Pearly history lays with my family who were pearlies,
long before the like of george Major & Co

just a footnote
if Mr Major is such a great Pearly King why is it that other Pearly Kings and Queens have turned their backs on him and will not give him the time of day

j.smith: 14th Mar 2008 - 08:28 GMT

i have no sons, keith i think you are barking up the wrong tree
i must remind you that the name Smith is one of the most common names in the world

Keith : 15th Mar 2008 - 18:35 GMT

HI Mr j smith im sorry if your not the same j smith. So who are you then ? you speak ill of mr major on this site all the time why? What are you in the pearly world? you must tell us all if you have been part of the pearlys for 70 years you would not speak about mr major like this for what reason? You can ring me if you like to talk about it. 02392 645453

Keith : 17th Mar 2008 - 20:09 GMT

IT SEEMS MR SMITH has stopped reading this blog. If he is he as no comment? no phone call nothing. Can any one tell us who he is or his whereabouts? There must be one pearly that can shine a bit of light on him? But i think mr smith will come back on to this blog slaging mr major down again and forgetting to say any thing about his self.I THINK HE MUST BE A BIT SHY DONT YOU? from mr k newman of daz n chave 02392645453 from portsmouth THANK YOU.

Keith : 20th Mar 2008 - 13:28 GMT

Mr Smith if you do read this blog again can we ring you or right to you about your problem with mr major? And can we put your home. works. and mob phone number on this site so you can talk about it? Putting peoples dirty washing out to the public is not always the best thing to do THANKS. ps we all have dirty washing

Keith : 22nd Mar 2008 - 11:53 GMT

Now for a bit of good news. Coming Soon Book a good old nees up with the DAZ N CHAVE Cockney show . entertainment from six pearlys plus chas n daves tribute act DAZ N CHAVE a fantastic cockney eve.

kim shea: 28th Mar 2008 - 16:36 GMT

hi peggy my nan is rose marriott and my mum is jean marriott both are still here and thriving if you would like to email me i would answer any questions re the marriotts or forward mums email on to you thankyou kim shea psychicmichael@tiscali.co.uk

anon (88-108-86-23.dynamic.dsl.as9105.com): 28th Mar 2008 - 18:28 GMT

anon (88-108-86-23.dynamic.dsl.as9105.com): 28th Mar 2008 - 18:29 GMT

Pearlykingjim: 3rd Apr 2008 - 08:46 GMT

Wotch ya all
not been on this site for a couple of months, just thought i would catch up on things that are going on in the Pearly world
i see mr smith is still about wotch ya cock and all the best of genuine cockney luck (i'll do a swerve on mr smith)
after surfing the web i found a list of all known pearlies
strange that on this list that some old genuine pearly families are left out,for one reason or another, yet plastic pearlies with no history are named, and i know from diane the pearly princess of st pancras as posted the question on various website's is to why a full list of pearly kings and queens is not updated.
now im sure the pearly king of peckham and he's family well are known
and from the amount of charity work Alf mary & diane Dole do (and please remember Alf Granddad was one of the first pearly kings) are well known
and you could not miss the pearly queen of wapping but not on any list,
yet her brother is! and their is my family the camberwell branch
and you can not say im not known, for enough of you have talked about me in the past which i dont give a monkey about.
i know it might be like the dole family that i now do not belong to any pearly mafia opps sorry group,is part of it but some of them plastics get right on my thrupnenys so i do what i have to on my own because i would find it hard to stab myself in the back,but at the end of the day we are pearlies and genuine ones at that we do a lot of work for charity
even if you dont want to add me to your list, i think the others deserve to be added.
enough now all the best of cockney luck
from pearlykingjim
genuine pearly king of camberwell
www.genuinelondonpearlykingsandqueens.co.uk
www.pearlykingjim.co.uk
www.thebarrowboys.co.uk
pearlykingjim@yahoo.co.uk

Diane Dole: 5th Apr 2008 - 13:09 GMT

Hi All, I have just finished reading the (hidden whistle and flute) stitch one by the pearly king of Peckham George Major.
Fantastic read cant wait for stitch two the stolen whistle and flute.

best of Cockney Luck

Di

Pearlykingjim: 6th Apr 2008 - 00:04 GMT

ammende script
this is how it should read

like the dole family i now do not belong to any pearly mafia opps sorry group,is part of it but some of them plastics get right on my thrupnenys so i do what i have to on my own because i would find it hard to stab myself in the back,but at the end of the day we are pearlies and genuine ones at that we do a lot of work for charity
even if you dont want to add me to your list, i think the others deserve to be added.
enough now all the best of cockney luck
from pearlykingjim
genuine pearly king of camberwell
www.genuinelondonpearlykingsandqueens.co.uk
www.pearlykingjim.co.uk
www.thebarrowboys.co.uk
pearlykingjim@yahoo.co.uk

Pearlykingjim: 6th Apr 2008 - 09:20 GMT

i would like to thank the person or persons for the vile and nasty E-mail that was sent to my address, it is someone on this forum
form what was said
i only hope we bump it each other one day and that your BUPA cover is up to date
you can slag me of all day,water of a duck back to me i heard it all before
but to have a pop at my family thats when the B*LL*cks stops
all the best of cockney luck because you will need it my son

With the closure of the charity donkey care centre due to the lack of support for the public.colleting for charity is the last thing on my mind. for nearly 2 years me & Debbie have struggled to keep our long eared friends home open,with little help from anyone. we have now lost all our life savings in this project to the sum of £18.000.and now the donkeys have gone to good homes.we can get on rebuilding our lives
the only sad thing is that we miss our long eared friends like mad
they gave us fond memories which will stay in our hearts forever.
because of the lack of funds/donations we had to close the doors to the stables on March 1st 2008, not even the pearlies offerd to help
to those pearlies who in the past pointed the finger at me of taking a dip in the charity box, all i can say is, Kiss my fat pearly arse!
and put your money where your mouth is

CANCER RESEARCH U.K
being really busy with the barrow boys
i have not had the time to do my charity work
as normal.
last year i met a young man who wanted to do a short film on londons pearlies for current tv, we done the short and it came over really well
the man is called Wesley Lipman and he is doing a tri-athlon at brighton in September 2008 for Cancer reasearch u.k
Please back him i have put this web address so you can see for yourselfs
http://www.justgiving.com/wesleylipmantriathlon
good luck wes me and debbie will be backing you all the way

Pearlykingjim: 9th Apr 2008 - 09:30 GMT

COR bLIMEY
It been 3 days since i posted my comments on this page
what and no comebacks
having read the E-mail that was sent to me a few times
iam now convinced that it came from another pearly family or a so called pearly family
if that is the case,i think its about time i wrote a book on the subject of pearly kings and queens.
it will interesting reading about Pearly demi-gods,theft and corruption in the pearly world, where i will speak the truth and no porky pies
because this pearly family as nothing to hide
now the title of this book is split at the momment
we dont know if it will be called my fathers stolen hat or the pearly mafia.yet to agrre

i will keep you all posted on when it will come out
and who knows the people who wrote the E-mail may be in it
ONE NEVER KNOWS

all the best of cockney luck from pearlykingjim

kim : 9th Apr 2008 - 16:32 GMT

he he jim if you do write that book maybe i will join you and air my views about stolen titles too. still find it funny when i look on the different web pages that not one me4ntion of my family has been made my great grandfather set up the pearly kings and queens association and also the lord mayors balls and many other things but hey the marriots just slipped off the face of the pearly generations and don't seem to have existed.
i have also noticed other family members coming to light that want their titles back
they can't be given away to any tom dick and harry a title in inherited like dukes duchessess and barons and baronesses mmmmm maybe i should call my self lady spencer now she is deceased.
anyway jim keep up the good work and don't let the phoneys get you down the truth will come out in the end
kim

Pearlykingjim: 10th Apr 2008 - 08:07 GMT

Wotch ya Kim
I know what you are saying and i agree 100%
the problem is that we have a wave of new pearlies with little or no cockney pearly history,and they seem to forget that a lot of pearlies now passed on to the otherside did exsist
we need new blood in our cockney culture, but all i can say is to the Pearly kings and Queens is when you select new pearlies make sure you make the right choice, in the past i have known pearly kings and queens that have been made up with full titles turn out to be wrong uns
when they were first interviewed, it was yes sir no sir 3 bags full sir,
just to get voted in, and then after a short time "bang" they thought they were the king pins and started to look down on the rest of us
a few YEARS ago i attened the harvest festival at bow bells and one of the new wave plastic pearlies called another Pearly queen SCUM for what reason only she knows
mind you she picked her match, the pearly queen abused is the pearly queen of st Pancras Mary Dole
well i can say from my heart MARY is a straight laced person
who calls the kettle black and i admire her for that, shame their was not more of her about
i have a lot of respect for mary she is a good un and a heart of gold
and to call her SCUM is well out of order
but thats what we have to deal with its because new pearlies dont have the history,just the gob,
and thats why old pearly families are now forgotten,for the likes of the marriots-montague-matthews-tinsley and my mum & dad god bless em
the only good thing we have got Kim is memories of the good uns, and the plastics will never have that
i fully understand we need new blood in the pearly movement or our history will die out, please let the new ones do it from the heart and not for what they can put in their sky
ALL THE BEST OF COCKNEY LUCK FROM PEARLYKINGJIM

kim : 10th Apr 2008 - 10:50 GMT

jim i am shocked never realised things had got that bad, blimey what a carry on. i know the oldens used to have their disagreements but it was never bought into any of the festivals ect it stayed outside of them.
i have no problem with new blood but i feel that they should make sure that the titles have been expired and that the lineage is deceased before passing those titles on to new ones. i also feel that the new blood should not pretend to have long histories and make one up which some have done. i notice there is alot of bad mouthing on here about the Majors and i feel saddened by that i spent alot of my youth with tammy and her sisters at these events and really found the girls to be great i wondered if any of them have continued in the pearlies.

Pearly Princess of Peckham [Tammy]: 13th Apr 2008 - 19:05 GMT

Hi Jim. Thank you for all the nice things you have said about my family. We had many great jobs together. always had a laugh. sorry for the long reply but i don't really go on this site to much bad mouthing. I hope all your family are well and give them all my love.

Hi Kim my name is tammy the pearly princess of peckham. Could you please let me know who you are. I still wear my pearly suit with my dad and my two daughters Charmaine and Channelle also my grand daughter alicia. Please feel free to contact me at tnmajor@yahoo.co.uk.

valerie: 20th Apr 2008 - 11:43 GMT

Hi I was wondering if anybody knows of the millward family that were pearlies in the first quarter of the 1900.I remember my grandmother talking about them when I was young

Sheila Preston: 16th May 2008 - 10:31 GMT

Hi to Di, Pearly Princess of St Pancras - I was so saddened to read all these comments when I came across this webpage. I had such a great day with you, your Dad Alf, Mary, Chamaine and George Major yesterday, taking all the photos - It was an honour and a privelege to be with you all and I thank you for all the fun and laughs. I know you won't be wasting time letting this rubbish get you down as, being full of heart and love, you've got better and more important things to do. I'll be in touch as soon as I get the pics done - should be some greats!!! Big hug to a great Pearly - Sheil xx

Haha: 16th May 2008 - 14:42 GMT

Listen to all you Pearlies arguing and making a fuss about nothing. You're cultural relics, and worth something in that sense, but all your squabbling and contention in this thread is laughable. you'd think you were royalty or something. You're just a group of people who have buttons on your clothes and a dubious provenance. Get over it.

Paddy O'Furniture: 16th May 2008 - 23:23 GMT

I'M the original pearly KING of OLDE LONDON TOWN!