Sadly it means we UK fans are facing a very dull few weeks, but then we are very well catered for here for the rest of the year, so we can’t really complain or resent others getting their share. If you’re going to one of the shows, do drop me a line afterwards to let me know how it went. But roll on March as far as I’m concerned!

We’ve just put on line today a new (February) issue of Frank Allen’s newsletter written on one of their days off in Sydney. He writes, amongst other things, of their flight out to Australia, some interesting past and future television and radio programmes, and the long-awaited 4-CD box set, which hopefully will be released in the next few months. As he says, as soon as we have definite news I will be letting you all know. At the end, as usual, he answers some more of your questions. Keep the questions coming in, especially if you have one that might not have been asked before - he will be keeping in regular touch with me by email from Australia.

In the past couple of weeks we’ve added several new things to the website. Firstly, after many of you asking me for some time when the 2000 interview with John McNally was going to be replaced by a new one, I spent a very pleasant time chatting with him at some length before Christmas and the transcription of the interview is now on line. He opened up quite considerably and I’m sure you’ll all enjoy reading it, and looking at the photos we’ve included.

Secondly, we’ve updated the Equipment pages - adding an extra paragraph to the Introduction page, updating Frank’s section, and completely re-doing the PA System section to include all the new PA equipment that the band acquired towards the end of last year, and with which they are very pleased. To get from the Introduction page to all the others, just click on NEXT at the bottom of each page. And finally, we’ve also added a couple of new paragraphs to the Guitars page.

After just a few days back on home soil, the boys start a three-month UK solo tour (all-evening theatre shows, just the Searchers and no support acts) from 9 March to 3 June - my favourite sort of show and an excellent way to mark a very special year – their 50th Anniversary as a professional group, such a tremendous achievement. All of these shows seem to be on sale, so now’s the time to be booking your tickets if you want good seats. We have recently added the dates for the rest of the summer - although we are still awaiting confirmation for some of the shows in July, the August dates are now all confirmed and on line.

Frank’s book The Searchers And Me is a very detailed biography of the Searchers and, running alongside the first few chapters, his own early life story including his time with Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers. The book is published and distributed exclusively by Aureus, and is ONLY available to purchase direct from them - it is not and will not be available via Amazon or other internet or High Street retailers. From the above-mentioned webpage, follow the link to the publisher’s site to place an order. His previous book – the lighter and very humorous “Travelling Man” - is still in print and similarly available direct from the same company. If you bring your copy of either book along to your next Searchers show, Frank will be very pleased to autograph it/them for you.

And finally, if you would like to be on my mailing list to be advised whenever this page is updated, when any other new items go on line, or when there is any important news to relay quickly, please email me (see below) including mentioning please which country you are in if your email address doesn’t show it, as I keep separate mailing lists for each continent.

Wendy Burton Website Editor/Co-ordinator 2nd February 2012 e-mail: wendy.burton@the-searchers.co.uk