Chantel’s Memorial Soul Nite
Saturday 27th April 2013 from 8pm until 2am
@ Bedford Athletic Club, Wentworth Drive, BEDFORD, MK41 8QA
Chantel was a spring baby, born on April 22nd 1958 in London, later moving to Watford and then Hitchin when she was in her teens. She grew up to be a bright and attractive young woman, with a warm lively personality and a way with people. This stood her in good stead in the various retail jobs she did throughout her life. All of them involved managerial responsibility, but more importantly, she had the gift of being able to bring out the best in the other people.
In 1978 she met her future husband Kevin at a Northern Soul gig and discovered the love of her life. They married in 1980 and in the fullness of time their two sons were born, Barry and Neil. It’s probably fair to say that nothing meant more to Cha than the three men in her life, then along came Barry’s two sons and she took great delight in becoming the devoted grandmother.
Chantel unfortunately lost her fight for life on the 11th December 2011 and a group of her friends along with Kev decided that it would be a fitting tribute to put on a Memorial night in her honour and at the same time raise some money for the Sue Ryder Trust.
So the Memorial Soul Nite has been arranged for the 27th April 2013. DJ on the night include Andy Rix, Kevin Bateman, Andy Felts, Hammie, Taff, Panch, Pete Hulatt and Geoff.
I have been asked to write a few words about my wife Chantel Batemen.... After much deliberation I decided not to bore you all by saying what a wonderful, loving, kind and fun loving person she was because everybody who met her would already know this. You would also know how much she loved her music and to dance and this love started at a very young age when she went to soul nights with the Letchworth crowd and then at the age of 18 to her first allnighter at St.Ives. This love stayed with her for the rest of her life.... I would like to recall a couple of stories for you.
I remember Chantel telling me about a dance competition she entered many years ago, I think it was Norwich. Anyway she won first prise and it was a grand prize of £50.00, which was and still is a lot of money. She went up to collect her winnings and they paid it to her in 50pence pieces, as you can imagine she wasn’t happy about all the change but took it all the same. Needless to say I don’t think she entered anymore competitions after that....that is until Cleethorpes 2003.
On the Sunday night at the weekender they had a fancy dress competition and Chantel decided that we should enter. When I say “we” I mean Chantel, myself, Panch and Winston. Great now all we needed was a theme and some outfits. Of course it wasn’t just a case of going to the shop and hiring one, no Chantel wanted to make one!
Now at the same time the Kentucky Fried Chicken advert had just come out, the one with the backing track Bobby Garrett — I Can’t Get Away. Well as you can imagine the light bulb lit with Chantel and the plan began to come together in her mind... I wasn’t too sure about it to begin with but after a while I could see it coming together. So we went about making the buckets and with the help of Panch and Ann they were ready in time for Cleethorpes and all we had to do was keep them under wraps until Sunday night.... It was worth all the hard work as we had such a laugh and won the competition.
It wasn’t easy doing anything in them buckets, you only have to ask Panch because he found out when he dropped his moustache....
Another good story is about a friend’s wedding. Chantel had been asked to be Dean’s best man when he married Marion and of course she was honoured and accepted. Well Chantel wanted to do something special that was funny and memorable and so the thinking cap came out.... The plan came together at the services after we had been to Stoke or Keele alnighter, there was a few of us and the conversation turned to what would we get Dean and Marion for a wedding present. After a few silly suggestions someone said I know why don’t we get everyone to buy them a toaster. Chantel then said I know what would be funny getting everyone to buy them a toaster, of course we fell about with laughter at the thought of them opening numerous toasters but the plan was made and as many guests were asked if they minded buying a toaster (putting the receipt with the gift) for the newlyweds. Chantel and I made a poster and everything was set. And so the to the wedding reception and in the evening just before the soul night was to start, Chantel took her place to do her presentation. Yes as you may have guessed Dean and Marion received over 20 new toasters and a loaf of bread!
Yet another plan that Chantel had been a big part in putting together and it was received with the response that she always wanted to achieve, yes everybody was in fits of laughter, even Dean and Marion. Would you believe that this story was told on the local radio, the Sun Newspaper and also Anglia News.
Well there are a couple of funny stories about Chantel.
I expect she is up there on that big old dance floor smiling down.
In her words “Look up into the starry night and you will see her dancing wild and free”.
I hope to see some of you on the 27th April.
Kev Bateman
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