Rugby and I ain't talking balls - Allnighter Lookback

Image courtesy of Rugby Store  

RUGBY & I AIN'T TALKING BALLS.

Where to begin? It's been a while since I put pen to paper for a Venue review but this is different because there were people there I'd not seen or spent time with for some time, so thanks to them you get the tale of Rugby past.

Rugby's always a great night, why? Because the Dj's are given free rein to play what they want, therefore you get an eclectic mix, so as we've done for the past too many years we meet up at ours with Kev & Pauline and raise a glass to Gail's once again teen birthday (How many years are these teen years?), Gail's all giddy because she hasn't seen her mate Dynamite Donna since November and there won't be enough hours or words in the night to catch up, and it'll give Dave a break from the constant chatter. So it's down the A1 to Blideth for the Big Fella Paul and we spend an hour toasting Gail's health etc again (No not me I'm designated Driver as usual) and Gail leaves Cath a homemade fruit loaf, giving her a head start on Mr Greedy Guts who would demolish it in 2 sittings given the chance. Anyway off we charge with Paul acting as Sat-Nav Sam whilst poor Kev is tethered in the back with the 2 Tommy Gun Talkers and their none stop rattling, as it's on the way there it's very light hearted but by morning the mood will have changed to Death by a thousand Insults but that's another story, Paul says we'll be there by 9:40pm Yeh providing the Slip Roads at every junction aren't closed, as happens or seems to everytime Rugby's on, now it's nice Countryside there in daylight but doesn't quite have the same endearing quality at night when catching doggers in full beam on Country lanes when all you want to do is get to the Bloody Venue!!!!!!!!!!! So we arrived at 9:09pm having throttled down from warp speed to Reginald Molehusband legal speed limit, there's a Cop shop next door you know.

All parked up and the scrummage in the boot finished, it's off to the Dance, we round the corner and I spot Non-Stop Donna which means I've lost Gail as usual for at least 30 minutes or until I get annoyed and growl at her to come in as I'm sick of carrying around her bloody drink like Jeeves & Wooster. Ken's in Mrs Wood mode as usual collecting door tax and Dean can be seen peering back through the glass double doors like a child locked outside whilst your Mum makes you finish your tea but not a Sian in sight (Try saying that when your p*ssed), usual suspects in the Bar, Donny's top Dj Dick Krop (Get him booked) but no Mary, Roger the Dodger Banks, Long suffering Dave Raistrick, Lou & Woody (Who doesn't look a day over 59, amazing), Man in a Man Bag Killa, John Wayout Weston and Dave Rimmer looking very happy as Jessica is on a sponsored silence. More of the gang about Town arrive through the night, Vic & Gail, Steve & Brigitte, Gilly & Nicola and more but some missing like Nesta & that Kev H, anyway look who's here Rich finally forced out by Cat so we can grouse about everything and everyone, Bev for first time in I don't know how long and Col Wood with Shirl as he has now finished his Community Service work with This Little Piggy & Co. Seems it's Birthday week also, it was Gails on Wednesday her Sister Kerry's on 9th, Matt Sneath on the night of Rugby and Ian Mick McManus's around that time, he arrived fashionably late with Slimline Mick, Mandy, Wendy, Mike Cog and “This is our once a year day” Jan Cog, low and behold part way through the night I spot an apparition or is it an Angel from the past? No it's Hannah H but Fireman Sam's not along for the ride, he's too busy starring in London's Burning, been a few years and it was so good to see her but how dare she not look a day older.

Tried the Little room but for some reason couldn't get into it but had a chat to Dale & Andy Hudson, so into the main room and the place is buzzing and getting busier as people arrive throughout the night from other Venues and Detours around closed exits off the M1. Coop's is about with his Camera and as usual he's hidden Nettie away in the dark corner by the stage, there's lots of new faces I don't know and some I don't wanna know,specially those who take the p*ss out of people dancing or seem to want to dance you off the floor, grow up you planks. Seems we have the Justin Biebers & Miley Cyrus's of Northern with us dancing the night away also, they stay down the front in the soft glow of stardom, I remember when we did the same, oh the joys of youth, I notice Billy joined em down there to try and rekindle his “This England” glory years. Anyway enough, the music as ever was varied and I particularly enjoyed Daz Dakin's set of Oldies with the superb Alice Clarke — You hit me, being the high light, Someone, I'm unsure who, played Connie — Servicemen, a fav of mine, Woody was another highlight for me along with Carl “Max Bygraves” Fortnum and John Weston, there was some nice Cleethorpes/70's also played early in the night but my eyesight and standing at the rear of the room, well it could have been anyone but it don't matter, it was just good.

Round about 4 it started to thin out and not long after Dave corralled Donna and shepherded her away, the bar was bereft of records and dealers and there was enough room on the dancefloor for me to swing my pants but once Thelma Lindsey closely followed by (or vica versa) by JoAnn Courcy hit the airways I know it's time to say my Goodbyes and go start up, de-ice and warm up the battle bus, as it will take until Mr Rimmers finished plus an extra 30 minutes or so before the crew realise they have to leave, I spend this time productively by watching Kit and Adam Topping race and jump remote controlled cars around the carpark. Till next time.

Take care, be safe and remember

”Happy, I'm so happy, I'm happy, I'm happy”,

Spot.