Radcliffe District Soul Club Formally The Shirt Club
Manchester Sun 26 Oct 2025

It was a wet and dreary Sunday afternoon but when entering St Mary's Catholic Social Club in Radcliffe you were in a different world. A welcoming atmosphere with a smiling guy taking your money and music filling the room with the wonderful sounds of soul.

The club has a bar on the left as you enter; tables and chairs around three sides of the dance floor, with the stage with the speakers, decks, etc. Next to the door is a raided area with seating. The dance floor is a decent size and was easy to dance on, talc not really needed.

This was the second alldayer put on by the Radcliffe & District Soul Club and it continued with the good work started at the first one, great across the board soul music of all tempos.

There were several other soul events on, one which was very close but I doubt if you would have heard better music anywhere in the country. Attendance started off slowly but picked up rapidly after 2pm. I was one of the first in just after 1pm but Vanessa and Steve were there before me.

Pete Radcliffe opened the musical proceedings playing his usual mix of mainly Crossover. He was followed by Dave Cartlidge and Bob then it was on to the guests: Carol Gilboy, Dave Lucas, Dave Flint and Howard Bevan.

The music was top class mixing all genres of soul. Tracks played included Honey (Jesse Fisher); Do To Me (Lonette McKee); Center City (Fat Larry's Band); How Long Is Forever (Frank & James); While You Were Gone (Combinations); Just Another Dance (Marlina Mars); Keep Me Dancing (True Image); American Girl (Roscoe Thomas); She Could Love Me (Athens Rogues); Can I (Heaven & Earth); Breakaway (Linda Lloyd); Betcha Can't Guess (Newcomers); You, Me And Love (Clarence Thomson); Oh What A Day (Lovelites) and many more.

All in all an excellent afternoon, something for everyone. Good to see friends there plus new faces. Particularly nice to see Dave Rimmer and Wendy Jones there.

Thanks to the DJs and the bar staff. Now looking forward to the next St Mary's episode on Friday 7 November.