To Have & To Hold Records celebrates six years
6 Church Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5PA
When the avuncular proprietor Mel Hardy opened the doors to his record shop in 2020, knowing full well the nation’s high streets were in a precarious place, such was his business acumen, Mel also timed his venture to coincide with the Covid lock-down…
Since then, To Have & To Hold Records has become as much a fixture on Tewkesbury’s high street as the towering Abbey, clanking medieval knights, Tewkesbury mustard and, of course, ubiquitous parking fines.
Over the last 6 years many have parked themselves in front of the racks of vinyl, both new and pre-loved and delved into a trove of musical treasure. Furthermore, the shop can also offer literature, compact discs, coasters, cassettes, badges, artwork and more than a handful of gig going anecdotes.
We have to concur that Mel has achieved a great deal in his 6 years at the helm. Sure, there has been some fluff on the needle and there has been some skips and jumps along the way. Coincidently, even a nervous Rod Stewart sang from behind the speakers at the first few Faces gigs (sic).
Anecdotally, Mel is also instrumental in bringing music events to his home town of Theoc. Whether that be in the form of cinematic nights at the Roses, band nights at the Watson Hall or Gothic extravaganzas at the Guppy to celebrate Halloween. Mel is always looking to offer Tewkesbury a good night out!
It’s sobering to realise that singing Happy Birthday on screen would have cost a great deal of money pre-2016, as Warner/Chappell music covetously owned the rights to the song. This is the reason most films insisted on employing a substitute song or interrupted the song before the intro (sic). What I’m trying to say is, it costs nothing to call in and wish Mel Happy Birthday at his shop…for he’s a jolly good fellow.
By: Kid Gonzo