Culcheth The Spirit Of Lowton Anniversary
Warrington Fri 14 Feb 2020

So, into 2020 and straight into what would have been the 24th Anniversary at LOWTON CIVIC HALL. Obviously, we would have been happy celebrating this event at the ‘Hallowed Halls’ but circumstances conspired to rob us of that opportunity. But, from adversity comes opportunity and a new venue was found just as close to Lowton as possible and about the same distance from the East Lancs Road, albeit in the other direction, again in a village but this time, Culcheth.

To our pleasant surprise though, Culcheth Sports Club was in fact, a slightly smaller version of LOWTON CIVIC HALL, two rooms, one with a large wooden dancefloor with seating all around, a high stage to the front and a bar to the side. The back room is a bit smaller than that at LOWTON but with the benefit of its own bar, so those enjoying the music in there don’t need to leave the room to get a drink which, in fairness was a bug bear in the latter years of the Civic.

Culcheth Sports Club or ‘The Daten’ as it’s known locally, is a well-run and well-kept building with many facilities and actually has three rooms and three bars, so there’s even more scope there. The club has been the home to ‘The Spirit of Lowton’ nights now for two years and in that time, a loyal crowd has supported the events and enjoyed a continuation of the music policy of LOWTON CIVIC, that has been evident with great nights in 2019 and some of the most prominent DJ’s on the scene, including Ginger Taylor, Ted Massey, Phil Threllfall, Joan Livesey  and Carl and Maria Willingham, to name a few, putting Culcheth ‘Spirit of Lowton’ at the top of their soul night, must do list.

I’m pleased to say that is to continue into 2020, myself, together with the resident DJ’s including LOWTON main man KEV MURPHY, LOWTON mainstays, BOB HINSLEY and IAN CUNLIFFE, as well as LES HARRISON, SIMON INGHAM and one of the scenes’ real characters ROBBO, all devoted to bringing the best music from their expansive collections to the CULCHETH/LOWTON crowd old and new.

So, what about the 2020 24th Anniversary Event? Well, first of all our Special Guest in the main room is probably the Northern scenes busiest and most in-demand DJ, GINGER TAYLOR. When GINGER comes to LOWTON he likes to play the kind of records he has in his box that he just can’t seem to get away with at other venues, a true testament to the open-mindedness of the LOWTON faithful! So expect the unexpected in the main room on the 14th

There’s a bit of a change in the back room as well for this event. We are giving the Back Room, which is normally, ‘Modern’ under the guide of the ‘Soul on the Edge’ team to a special ‘Rare and Underplayed’ session. John, Jem and Chris have stepped aside for this one night as we welcome special guest DJ’s Phil Wainwright and Alex Jones who ‘back in the day’, were mainstays of the North West and Manchester Rare, Northern Soul scene. Both these guys were highly respected, with superb collections and equally good taste in music, so bringing them into CULCHETH for the Anniversary is something we are looking forward to immensely. So, if you like going to soul nights or all-nighters to hear something different then CULCHETH on the 14th will be for you.

We will be posting more details nearer the date so please check back here for updates and feel free to share this post with like-minded soul folk. Let’s start 2020 with a BANG!

Edited January 12, 20205 yr by Bazm

As it's the Anniversary Special, paying homage to the great nights at the 'Hallowed Halls', we revert to the original format of the early sessions at Lowton, with the main room and the original, 'Rare and Underplayed' room. One of the original DJ's from those sessions, Ian Cunliffe, who along with Steve Connor and Bill Harrison, started the 'Back Room' at Lowton, will be kicking the proceedings off on Feb 14th. He will be joined by Special Guests Alex Jones and Phil Wainwright, who over the years have built a solid reputation of sourcing and spinning some of the creme of 60's and 70's rare soul at venues in Manchester and beyond. On the night they will be joined by Culcheth residents, Simon Ingham and Robbo, so a great night for those who like their soulful selections a little more 'Cutting Edge'  

A favourite spin in the back room from Phil W.

Edited February 3, 20205 yr by Bazm

19 hours ago, Agentsmith said:

Great pics, thanks for sharing, more to come 

Staying with the (in)famous LOWTON 'Back Room' and a record I first heard there, which became synonymous with not only Lowton but the Manchester rare soul scene in general. Championed by Phil and Alex and regular main room guests Carl and Maria Willingham, this never really made it through to the 'Soul Night' soul scene due to it's rarity, not a bad thing really 😉

One Phil promises to play on the 14th... Take a listen   

Excruciatingly hard to locate that one, Baz...and a fine tune it is too!😉👍

A great memory from, what was for me the best days (nights) at the Casino, it almost faded into obscurity albeit infrequent plays at some venues. This ditty from legendary Philly writer/producer Kenny Gamble is set to become one of the biggest re-activations on the scene courtesy of our main room guest Ginger Taylor...Join us on Friday 14th and share the love 

They say 'Cream always rises to the top' and that's definitely the case for this gem from one of the best vocal groups of all-time. Had the pleasure for seeing them in Bilbao and many saw them at Prestatyn, great memories and a track that's gonna get a spin from Alex on Feb 14th

Crossover classic, crossing over to the big room BIG TIME!

Qualidee Tuneage

Whatever you're doing have a great weekend and don't forget NEXT weekend starts with a cracker! Or have I mentioned that? 😆

Two rooms of pure soul pleasure in the true 'Spirit of Lowton' at Culcheth Sports Club (a mini Lowton Civic)

Don't Miss It!

As the weekend comes to a stormy close, time to look forward the the next one and some of the wonderful music that's goona grace the decks over two rooms from guests and residents celebrating 24years of LOWTON at Culcheth Sports Club

What about this one, just found it on the LOWTON 8th ANNIVERSARY cd and topical with recent spins from LOWTON resident BOB HINSLEY

There's not many places you'll have a chance of hearing this little gem this Friday but rest assured the 'Spirit of Lowton' Anniversary at Culcheth will definitely be one of them...

Stomper? No Quality? YES!

Edited February 10, 20205 yr by Bazm

Be our Valentine THIS FRIDAY 14th Feb

Looking forwards to another great soulful (and romantic) instalment at Culcheth and WOW great to see Phil & Alex behind the decks so very special

Had the pleasure of seeing them DJ at the Ukrainian Club in Ashton recently so I know the guys wont disappoint

See you all there - here's one of the spins

Maybe one for the night

A c/u for my friend Lenny Dopson (as Walter & The Admirations) Chooooon

A very recent release - always nice to see claas vinyl still being released (well I like it LOL)

A very nice man put me onto this - didn't know it but I think it's awesome

Thanks Mr Crampton

Last one for tonight - not the least ZZ

9 hours ago, eddiefoster said:

Last one for tonight - not the least ZZ

 

Great record, one that was pushed at the SAINTS Club many moons ago and has definitely had spins at LOWTON in the past. Sale backing as the very rare and sometime Andy Dyson spin 'I've Got Something of Value' by Eddie Rey 

Gotta feelin' this might get a spin on Friday 

BOOM!