Family tree charts town's rock heritage

By Chris Moss

THE Square, Harlow's favourite live music venue, celebrated its rich musical heritage on Saturday with the long-awaited unveiling of the town's Rock Family Tree.

The enormous piece of artwork - a four-month labour of love for Deviant Amps frontman Paul Woodwright, The Museum Of Harlow officer David Devine and Square staff Richard Holgarth, Adam Smith and Steve Harcourt - now dominates the venue's Galaxy Bar.

Featuring information on every band to have emerged from Harlow since 1961 and scores of photographs recalling the halcyon days of Town Ppark concerts and care-free summers of love, its proud creators claim it could well be the most detailed project of its kind in the entire country.

The comprehensive archive will soon be available on the venue's revamped website, allowing visitors to browse photo galleries and listen to songs recorded by some of the bands featured.

"We are all immensely proud of the finished project," said Mr Devine. "It's been hard work but also great fun to put together and I hope it will prove to be as fascinating for gig-goers to look at as it was for us to make."

Square promotions manager Adam Smith added: "The unveiling of the family tree was a great success.

We had live sets from some of the best-loved bands in Harlow's history and were close to full capacity.

"It's incredible to see the sheer amount of talent that has come out of the town's music scene over the years. Hopefully, someone will see fit to update the tree in 15 years time."