Cleethorpes Northern Rare Soul 6ts 25th Event

where else can you dance in your pants and not get kicked out? top banana.

I don't normally comment on the Cleethorpes weekender, not because I haven't enjoyed it, but it's over three days and usually I have lost track of who played what and when. But this one was different: it was to be the last one run by Ady Croasdell, who knows what will happen in the future. There was definitely a very special atmosphere, we were here to enjoy ourselves and to thank Ady for his sterling work on our behalf.

For me it was the best one I've attended, for so many reasons that I won't bore you to death with. Normally Paul and Helen McKay organise our caravan and Helen cooks lovely meals, but this year they're on holiday in Portugal so I stepped up to the plate, but made clear we'd have to make slightly different arrangements about food. Fortunately my caravan mates John Stubbs, Martin Thomson, and Dave Swift seemed happy with things. Thanks for giving me the room on my own, I'm sure you'd have loved me getting up in the night umpteen times to the loo, waking you up by my blundering about.

One thing that did surprise me was that on Friday night I thought there might be a queue to get in, but our party was almost the first in, but almost immediately Dave was out on the dance floor while Peter Hulat got things going. Each DJ seemed to bring something unique to the mix, oldies, R&B, stompers, medium tempo. Butch played some of his most popular tracks over the last few years in his sets plus some that were new to me at least.

I didn't go into the Modern room as much as I've done in the past, partly because I sat for quite a time with friends from my recent holiday in Zante, we continued the partying started there, with a big celebration of Debs' birthday.

Quite late nights for me really, I think it was about 3.10 am Saturday, 4.35 am Sunday, and gone 3 am Monday, don't know how I got up this morning after that. Must be all that practice at nighters that kept me going, but the body feels a bit battered now.

I've lost track of what was played, do remember jumping up when Butch played Don't Bring Back Memories and Joseph Webster, no surprise to those who know me. Pity we can't bring the dance floor from the Beachcomber to the 100 Club, I danced far more than usual and no real after effects so far on my legs, great!

Mick Smith played a very enjoyable set on Sunday afternoon, loved those beat ballads: The Drifter, The Panic Is On, and Walk With A Winner, soul heaven for me.

The Sunday night in the main room was a real party atmosphere. We were determined that it should go out with a bang. And it did. Some great oldies played, danced to some that I normally don't get up for, it was just right that night. Standing at the back I even managed to dance to You're Ready Now, but probably the alcohol intake helped. And the time had been increased by 30 minutes to a 3 am finish. Plenty of 100 Club favourites played ending with Don't by Marva Josey, Carla's I'll Never Stop Loving You and of course Baby I Need Your Loving by the Four Tops with every one dancing and singing along, just such a wonderful feeling of togetherness to quote a song. And finally Ady played the old Wigan ender I'm On My Way, so appropriate. Lights on, time to say farewell to friends and wend our way back to our accommodation.

As usual great to see so many of my friends on the scene like Lisa Hurley and Andy Brazil who I rarely see these days. In my opinion the people always make the weekend what it was combined with the music; a perfect mix. I just hope that whoever takes it on can keep this special atmosphere, and hopefully keep Ady on as a consultant.

I pray I didn't embarrass myself too much, especially belting up the dance floor whenever a record came on that I wanted to dance to; and of course singing along as well, good job the music's loud otherwise anyone near me might complain.

So finally, thanks to my caravan companions for their presence and forbearance; and to all the DJs for fine work entertaining us. To Sidney Barnes for an excellent live performance, and he's still got his voice, amazing. And to all who attended, you helped make my weekend brilliant. Special thanks to Ady and his assistants including Gary and Rolly. Thank you.

Sorry I've rambled on but it's hard to do justice to this weekender in a few words.When posting on here you are required to rate it by stars. Five is the max, but I'd give it 10 or 20 or more.