Jim Tipler and Josie Tipler (née Church) met at the age of 17 at art college in Hastings where they both studied graphic design. To raise extra cash they would go busking in Eastbourne town centre - often competing with the salvation army and pan pipes - Jim on piano accordion and Josie on clarinet.
Taking the name of a local patch of woodland and scrub, from the very start Milton Hide decided they were going to write and perform original material and set out playing floor spots at folk clubs and open mics. Jim reworked some of the material he had written for previous bands to make it suitable for an acoustic duo and Josie started to write highly idiosyncratic and witty lyrics to which Jim added the music.