I was thinking that the original Whitchurch alldayers never seem to get much love around here.  Went to many of them back in the day and you couldn't meet a more friendly crowd.  And with tunage from all the top jocks of the day plus an awesome fish and chip shop too.

Anyone else have fond memories of the 1970's Civic Centre events?

Whitchurch August 73 was my first real northern event. I was 15, and me and John Orritt got a lift there and thumbed it back to Burscough. In fact we walked most of the way to Chester overnight. a great day, and I bought Jeanette White Music, and John bought The Superlatives I Still Love You. I don't know how I remember that fact, when I can't remember what I did this morning!

I started to go to Vavas and then Wigan very soon after, but still used to attend Whitchurch every bank holiday. A great alldayer.

 

Paul

Edited July 25, 20168 yr by Paul r

First time I went my mate Terry Podmore organized a 52 seat coach from Stockport. A good day enjoyed by all, only downside was it was a blistering hot day. Sweated some that day.

went to a couple cant remember too much about them 

Loved Whitchurch dayers. run by Tony Petherbridge. R.I.P.  Then the occasional nighter,s . Still get down there now and again. Great venue

Steve

4 hours ago, Dayo said:

I was thinking that the original Whitchurch alldayers never seem to get much love around here.  Went to many of them back in the day and you couldn't meet a more friendly crowd.  And with tunage from all the top jocks of the day plus an awesome fish and chip shop too.

Anyone else have fond memories of the 1970's Civic Centre events?

No. 

And eating fish and chips - well eating anything, back in the day would not have gone down too well with me. 

Peter

Ah yes, Whitchurch all dayers, Sam used to DJ that's about all I can remember as they usually followed a Friday and Saturday Nighter, that and trying to remember how the f*ck to get back to the M6 (usually ended up near Wales) happy daze. As for fish & chips, do me a favour !!!!!!!!!!!.

Edited July 25, 20168 yr by Kegsy

Always well attended with people coming from across the country. Seem to remember the main room was quite light until later on , especially in summer. Great dance floor as it was one of those council buildings that would have ballroom dance sessions. I think there was a smaller room for record dealing and plenty of space for sitting about. 

Like Kegsy, I especially remember Sam's DJ spots at Whitchurch as it was one of the only places I saw him. He had some great discoveries such as Patti Young ,Epitome of Sound, Moses Smith and Pookie Hudson.

Never any trouble and always a friendly crowd, not as divided as the Ritz became later in the 70s.

Rick

Loved the place....did a few all-dayers mid 70's, and recall several of us sleeping in the car overnight afterwards.....Great times. 

Great days, there was the small room upstairs by the bar and another room across the alley from the main room some sort of basketball court if I remember correctly.

Tony Petherbridge was a great guy traveled miles with him to different gigs. 

I have very many happy memories of the Whitchurch Civic Centre in the early 70s. I went virtually every Saturday night from sometime in 1971 to late 1975. We went on the free bus from Wrexham at 7.00pm on the Beast Market, there were also buses from Chester and Deeside. Tony Petherbridge did a great job for what was probably the height of Northern Soul for many young teenagers. The Bank Holidays were extremely well attended and I remember seeing people from all over, wearing fashions of the day. From leather trench coats to Levi's and Brutus Shirts etc. etc. Always remember the burger and hot dog stall outside the main entrance, it smelt and looked revolting.

On a Saturday night it was Soul Sam upstairs and Brian Ellis and a host of other DJ's downstairs. Many of the great and popular soul performers appeared at the Whitchurch Civic. Here are just a few, Edwin Starr, Jimmy Ruffin, Ben E. King, George McRae, The Drifters, the Real Thing. Also saw Freda Payne with Earl Van Dyke as the musical director. First Choice, The Stylistics, The Tymes and the list goes on. You could also see Jimmy Ruffin along with Slade or Alvin Stardust, The Real Thing along with Showaddywaddy and yes even Mud. No limits for us soulies back in those days.

I would spend all day on a Saturday cleaning windows to earn enough money to go to Whitchurch on a Saturday night. When I think back I just wonder how you were allowed to go as a 14 year old. Trusting parents and probably just the way it was in those days.

Made lasting friendships from them very early days, Soul Sam (who was advertised as Soul Sam and His American Sounds), Brian Ellis, Joe Dunlop, Ritchie Andrews.

It was Tartan Bitter and Newcastle Brown ale along with Harp lager and for the ladies Babycham. Then came along Wigan Casino etc. and as they say the rest is history.

It was great music and great times. I never thought I would still be doing it 40 years plus.

Kev Jones

Oh yes, usually the Bank  Holidays if I remember rightly, and usually with Kev Smith and his white Jag..

 

Here's a few photos from Whitchurch 74

Remember seeing a stabbing there one time, some local knob attacking a soulie

we used to hitch hike there from Colwyn Bay on a regular basis, train or a lift home if we was lucky

Went once, but I'm sure it was a 'dayer. It was OK,  a bit youth clubby though, I think we bunked the trains there and back, My fuzzy mind remembers it as being a weekend job, better than cracking up...home alone after a 'nighter.

 

On 25/07/2016 at 15:22, Paul R said:

Whitchurch August 73 was my first real northern event. I was 15, and me and John Orritt got a lift there and thumbed it back to Burscough. In fact we walked most of the way to Chester overnight. a great day, and I bought Jeanette White Music, and John bought The Superlatives I Still Love You. I don't know how I remember that fact, when I can't remember what I did this morning!

I started to go to Vavas and then Wigan very soon after, but still used to attend Whitchurch every bank holiday. A great alldayer.

Bit of a late reply but -

I remember it well Paul. Except I think I had Jeannette White stuffed up my shirt...

Either way great times.

On 25/07/2016 at 15:12, Dayo said:

I was thinking that the original Whitchurch alldayers never seem to get much love around here.  Went to many of them back in the day and you couldn't meet a more friendly crowd.  And with tunage from all the top jocks of the day plus an awesome fish and chip shop too.

Anyone else have fond memories of the 1970's Civic Centre events?

Yes I went to at least two probably in 77/78. It was straight down the A49 from me so gave it a go a couple of times. TBH I can't remember many DJ's except Brian Rae or anything else except a good dance floor. Did it have another room upstairs? I have a feeling it may have been Bank Holiday Monday dayers? BTW I remember coming to your gaff many years ago to buy some white label Motown stuff.

Dave Harris