Before my time on the scene ,I'm told there were nighters held in Bletsoe (on the A6 in Bedfordshire).Ive been working near there of late & can't for the life of me think of a more unlikely village to cater for a soul do !

So,

1.Did they really happen ?

2.What year?

3.Where exactly in the village?

4.What were they like?

Just curious like ! Any stories ?

Thanks

Yeah, Smelly George (George Atkinson to give his proper name) was a well known face round Luton, where he lived, actually he came from Dunstable, he never made EB/Wilby etc but got well known at Market Harbourough.

There were me, Chiefy, John Harris, Dougy Howlett, Rocco, Noreen and Effna, Mark Woodfine and various others,

And SOULCARP, who lived in Luton at the time, AND we were best men at each others weddings

Edited February 7, 201015 yr by DanDare

This is the original membership card for Bletsoe.All the best to Paul Brennan and Mel.

I still have my Kelmarsh membership card as well.

Yeah, Smelly George (George Atkinson to give his proper name) was a well known face round Luton, where he lived, actually he came from Dunstable, he never made EB/Wilby etc but got well known at Market Harbourough.

There were me, Chiefy, John Harris, Dougy Howlett, Rocco, Noreen and Effna, Mark Woodfine and various others, who faces I can see but the names ellude me, drinking in the Pilgrims Bar in Bedford the night George drowned, we tended to socialis in Bedford 'cause you could'nt find anywherec in Luton that played soul, other than the James Brown variety, and this is before the Devils Den got off the ground at the Calais in Dunstable.

We were celebrating some football game(England) had won?????, if I remember correctly, George was well pissed, come out the Pilgrims and dived into the river, OK we did'nt take a lot of notice, but the water was shallow and he knocked himself out.

Theres a weir just along from the Pilgrims and they found his body jammed against it, I remember reading apiece Glen Bellamy had printed in Blues and Soul as an obituary to the man, George wasa lovely fellow, he got the name Smelly 'cause he was in two camps at the time and the Hippy one, plus the fact his old lady had thrown him out and he was living rough was winning out RIP George

Hi Paul.These photos should bring back a few memories.

Hi Paul.These photos should bring back a few memories.

Is the guy, centre of three in the top right photo, Chiefy from Luton?

My memory is crap now so I could be wrong, plus he had shorter hair when I knew him from his visits to Northampton.

Also, I thought Smelly George was a bit of a regular at Wilby for a while. I still remember the time he was outside collecting for the "Save The George" fund (i.e. he had no dosh but wanted to get to The Wheel).

- Kev.

Hi Paul.These photos should bring back a few memories.

Mark taken the liberty of adding some names

Below we have John Tappenden out of his face and on his left Blueten

Chiefy, in the middle, on the left of picture is Blueten and on the right Johnny Turner?

Mark Woodfine (Blueten) and Jhon Turner

3 REALLY dodgy geezers , at the bottom Blueten , more like Bluefifty in this picture, Douglas (Dougy) Howlett in the middle and at the top John 'Chopper' Harris - last time i saw John he had a totally grey barnet !!!!!

Johnny Turner with Bob Cosby bat back, this looks like it was taken at one of the Black Horse nights ?

Nice one Mark, got anymore????

Edited January 21, 201114 yr by DanDare

Mark taken the liberty of adding some names

Below we have John Tappenden out of his face and on his left Blueten

Chiefy, in the middle, on the left of picture is Blueten and on the right Johnny Turner?

Mark Woodfine (Blueten) and Jhon Turner

3 REALLY dodgy geezers , at the bottom Blueten , more like Bluefifty in this picture, Douglas (Dougy) Howlett in the middle and at the top John 'Chopper' Harris - last time i saw John he had a totally grey barnet !!!!!

Johnny Turner with Bob Cosby bat back, this looks like it was taken at one of the Black Horse nights ?

Nice one Mark, got anymore????

HI TO ALL YOU BEDFORD BOYS,, WHAT GREAT PHOTOS, AND ONCE YOU PUT THE NAMES ON WELL IT ALLCOMES FLOODING BACK I HAVE MET ALL IN PHOTOS AT CARLOS PILGRIMS BLACK HORSE LB OR ONE OF THE NIGHTERS THAT CHRIS GALLARD TOOK ME TOO IN 1971/2 I REMEMBER MEETING GEORGE WITH JOHN AND CAROLINE AFTER TILLY HAD OFF LOADED OF ALL THE CAPS, WHEN I HERD HE HAD DIED AFTER HOW MANY WENT IN THE RIVER THAT NIGHT, I WAS SHOCKED AND STILL REMEMBER HIM AND ALL OF YOU IN FACT, MORE PHOTOS DAVE KIL FROM LETCHWORTH,

Mark taken the liberty of adding some names

Below we have John Tappenden out of his face and on his left Blueten

Chiefy, in the middle, on the left of picture is Blueten and on the right Johnny Turner?

Mark Woodfine (Blueten) and Jhon Turner

3 REALLY dodgy geezers , at the bottom Blueten , more like Bluefifty in this picture, Douglas (Dougy) Howlett in the middle and at the top John 'Chopper' Harris - last time i saw John he had a totally grey barnet !!!!!

Johnny Turner with Bob Cosby bat back, this looks like it was taken at one of the Black Horse nights ?

Nice one Mark, got anymore????

Few more

Below we have on the left John Harris and Rocco on extreme right, now delivering mail to a house near you in Dunstable, I think the young lady might be Shirley from Markyate?

• 
• 

Above are Blueten (Mark Woodfine) and dougy Howlett, while below are Mark and and it looks like Neil Cowley, my son worked with neil a at Fords of luton as an apprentice 10 years ago, while he was their Neil passed away suddenly of a heart attack, RIP Neil.

• 

Chiefy in screwing mode, he's not looking happy.

• 

Edited January 21, 201114 yr by DanDare

HI ALL MY TOP 3 ALL TIME 45s PLAYED ARE BLACK HORSE (LB), SOUND,#3 THE HESITATION, I'M NOT CUILT THAT WAY - KAPP,

SOUND #2 MEL WILLIAMS, CAN IT BE ME - MODERN & MY #1 IS NOLAN CHANCE JUST LIKW THE WEATHER - CONSTALATION, AND THE WORST WAS FLOYED CRAMER ON THE REBOUND RCA, DAVE KIL

To anyone interested,this is an original membership card from Kelmarsh!!

HI ALL MY TOP 3 ALL TIME 45s PLAYED ARE BLACK HORSE (LB), SOUND,#3 THE HESITATION, I'M NOT CUILT THAT WAY - KAPP,

SOUND #2 MEL WILLIAMS, CAN IT BE ME - MODERN & MY #1 IS NOLAN CHANCE JUST LIKW THE WEATHER - CONSTALATION, AND THE WORST WAS FLOYED CRAMER ON THE REBOUND RCA, DAVE KIL

Absolutley, although I first heard Just Like the Weather at The Birds Nest in Hampstead, dont know the Mel Williams one so mine would be our Love is in the Pocket, funnily enough only managed to get hold of copies both the Hesitations and Nolan Chance singles at a reasonable price off Ebay last year.....nearly 40 years after first hearing them !!!!!!!!!!!

Edited January 22, 201114 yr by DanDare

Mark tells me Noreen and Effner are in this picture along with Messrs Howlet, Blueten and ??????

Absolutely, although I first heard Just Like the Weather at The Birds Nest in Hampstead, don't know the Mel Williams one so mine would be our Love is in the Pocket, funnily enough only managed to get hold of copies both the Hesitations and Nolan Chance singles at a reasonable price off Ebay last year.....nearly 40 years after first hearing them !!!!!!!!!!!

I NEVER GOT TO GO TO THE BIRDS NEST, BUT MY MATES FROM HITCHIN LETCHWORTH & STEVENAGE DID, THEY ALL WENT TO THE BLACK HORSE, BIG CLIVE & MICK SMITH FOUND SOME TOP SOUND IN THE STATES AT THIS TIME AND TOO THEM TO TONY JEBB AT THE MECCA BLACKPOOL, BUT THEY WERE PLAYED FIRST IN THE DIVE BAR IN HITCHIN, WHERE MYSELF BILLY MAC AND MICK DJ ed EVERY FRI SAT NIGHT IN 1972, I DON'T BELIEVE YOU DON'T NO MEL WILLIAMS? GET A COPY YOU WONT REGRET IT. DAVE

Absolutley, although I first heard Just Like the Weather at The Birds Nest in Hampstead, dont know the Mel Williams one so mine would be our Love is in the Pocket, funnily enough only managed to get hold of copies both the Hesitations and Nolan Chance singles at a reasonable price off Ebay last year.....nearly 40 years after first hearing them !!!!!!!!!

I think we all went to the Birds Nest on a thursday if I remember (all used to pile into the back of John Harris"s Thames van)

Mark

HI ALL...I ASSUME THAT YOU HAVE ALL GOT A COPY OF "THAT BEATN RHYTHM' 1962 - 1975. BY PADDY GRADY, IF NOT GET A COPY, IT IS ESSENTIAL READING, FOR SO ULSTERS FROM NOTHHAMPTONSHIRE BUCKS BEDS CAMBS & HERTS, NOT QUITE COMPREHENSIVE, BUT THERES ENOUGH TO WANT AND GO ON A PILGRIMAGE (APT JOHN BUNYAN)

ON A DIFFERENT SUBJECT, I HAVE NOT SEEN GLEN BELLAMY FOR ABOUT 1 YEAR HOPE HE IS OK, AND I WAS LUCK ENOUGH TO MEET ALAN DAY AT TORCH 9 AFTER 30+ YEARS WHO PLAYED HERE I GO AGAIN JUST FOR ME, A NICE TOUCH. DAVE

HI ALL...I ASSUME THAT YOU HAVE ALL GOT A COPY OF "THAT BEATN RHYTHM' 1962 - 1975. BY PADDY GRADY, IF NOT GET A COPY, IT IS ESSENTIAL READING, FOR SO ULSTERS FROM NOTHHAMPTONSHIRE BUCKS BEDS CAMBS & HERTS, NOT QUITE COMPREHENSIVE, BUT THERES ENOUGH TO WANT AND GO ON A PILGRIMAGE (APT JOHN BUNYAN) ON A DIFFERENT SUBJECT, I HAVE NOT SEEN GLEN BELLAMY FOR ABOUT 1 YEAR HOPE HE IS OK, AND I WAS LUCK ENOUGH TO MEET ALAN DAY AT TORCH 9 AFTER 30+ YEARS WHO PLAYED HERE I GO AGAIN JUST FOR ME, A NICE TOUCH. DAVE

Dave, I had a copy of That Beating Rhythm until it got nicked. I had filled the margins with scribblings to correct Paddy Grady's inaccuracies with a few names and dates. A fascinating trip down memory lane despite that, and I must get another copy. - Kev.

Edited January 29, 201114 yr by KevinKent

Dave, I had a copy of That Beating Rhythm until it got nicked. I had filled the margins with scribblings to correct Paddy Grady's inaccuracies with names and dates and he threw a hissy fit when my brother bought it up in conversation, then just turned and walked off! That's the trouble with re-inventing your past.

A fascinating trip down memory lane despite that, and I must get another copy.

- Kev.

hi kev,as we all know paddy was never on the seen,he only got part information for his book.for the simple fact he was not old enough to be on the scene,not his fault i know,i havn,t read the book i only go on information that has been passed down the line.he can only go on what people have told him,and you know as well as us all a lot is not the true facts--lol--ktf--gibby

hi kev,as we all know paddy was never on the seen,he only got part information for his book.for the simple fact he was not old enough to be on the scene,not his fault i know,i havn,t read the book i only go on information that has been passed down the line.he can only go on what people have told him,and you know as well as us all a lot is not the true facts--lol--ktf--gibby

Hi Gibby, how's it going mate? I think some who advised him have just got a few minor details confused - unintentional errors that probably wouldn't be picked up by anyone that wasn't involved in any particular incident, and which certainly doesn't detract from a good read. Whatever happened to Mick Rooney? Did he get into the scene other than localy? Only seen him once since this photo as we moved abroad shortly after......

Edited January 29, 201114 yr by KevinKent

I think this photo was taken at Bletsoe:

I can't name the faces though. Anyone?

And this is The George at Wilby, minus the exterior stairs:

- Kev

Edited January 31, 201114 yr by KevinKent

I think this photo was taken at Bletsoe:

I can't name the faces though. Anyone?

And this is The George at Wilby, minus the exterior stairs:

- Kev

HI KEV THE GEEZER ON YHE RIGHT LOOKS SO FAMILUAR, SOMONE MUST PUT A NAME TO THE FACE, THE SORTS LOOK TASTY A GREAT LOOK, IT'S STRANGE THAT IN HERTFORDSHIRE & LONDON THE STYLE OF CLOTHING IS 1970, I BET THIS WAS TAKEN IN 1971 AS THE NORTH WAS ALWAYS JUST BEHIND US, I REMEMBER GETTING OUT OF DC IN 1970 (BOOTS STEVENAGE0BAND OF GOLD WAS NUMBER 1, YHE 1ST THING I DID WAS GET A #1 THAT NIGHT I WENT TO HITCHIN I WAS THE ONLY PERSON WITH A CROP, SO I WAS ONE OF THE FIRST TO GET A #1 IN 1968 AND IN NORTH HERTS THE LAST SKIN STANDING, GREAT PHOTO, IS IT JOHN FROM CARDINGTON AND CAROLINE?/? DAVE "MORE THAN SKIN DEEP"©DTHEDRUG2009.

Edited February 1, 201114 yr by dthedrug

I think this photo was taken at Bletsoe:

I can't name the faces though. Anyone?

And this is The George at Wilby, minus the exterior stairs:

- Kev

Hi Kev.Certainly is Bletsoe-I remember the wooden posts going to the floor.Unfotunately cant remember any of the faces though.

Most of the place YI went to I only know I went 'cause people tell me I did, I was usualluy OD'd

Hi Kev my old mate Glen Bellamy, the man who DJ ed at all the venues used to have a few copes in stock, I had 1 copy of him and got it signed for Jim Silles in London a couple of years ago, as I have said I ain't seen glen for over a yea? But if any one knows where he is and gets a copy I Will pay for it mate if not Jim might not want his one, if any one could help well appreciated DAVE

Hi Kev my old mate Glen Bellamy, the man who DJ ed at all the venues used to have a few copes in stock, I had 1 copy of him and got it signed for Jim Silles in London a couple of years ago, as I have said I ain't seen glen for over a yea? But if any one knows where he is and gets a copy I Will pay for it mate if not Jim might not want his one, if any one could help well appreciated DAVE

Dave, there's a new edition of That Beating Rhythm coming out this year apparently so I'm gonna wait for that.

I haven't seen Glen Bellamy for a while but pretty sure I've seen his name down for dj'ing somewhere. There's a "40yrs of Northampton Soul" do on this year, and I've heard of a Wilby re-union too, so he'll surely be on at one of those?

- Kev.

glen has/had a website selling records but doh !!! i cannot find it,

Edited February 8, 201114 yr by de-to

HI KEV ,GLEN BELLAMYS WEBSITE IS OUT OF THE PAST RECORDS,ALSO PADDY IS ON ABOUT DOING A GEORGE REUNION AS YOU HAVE RIGHTLY HEARD, HE EMAILED ME LAST WEEK AND ASKED ME TO DJ.THE DATE HE STATED WAS THE 30TH JULY--CHEERS KEV SEE YOU SOON MATE--KTF--GIBBY

HI KEV ,GLEN BELLAMYS WEBSITE IS OUT OF THE PAST RECORDS,ALSO PADDY IS ON ABOUT DOING A GEORGE REUNION AS YOU HAVE RIGHTLY HEARD, HE EMAILED ME LAST WEEK AND ASKED ME TO DJ.THE DATE HE STATED WAS THE 30TH JULY--CHEERS KEV SEE YOU SOON MATE--KTF--GIBBY

Gibby, I sort of took it for granted you'd be on at any Wilby re-union. I'll look forward to seeing you there along with a few other faces. If anyone there can tell me that I went to Bletsoe or Kelmarsh I'll believe them ! Like has been said by others - was never sure where I was or how I got there in those days.lol.

I've been informed that the Wilby re-union date has had to be changed to 23rd July, at The George of course.

- Kev.

HI ALL ...EARLY ON IN THIS THREAD I TALK ABOUT GOERGINA FROM CAMBRIDGE, ANY WAY FOUND THIS YESTERDAY, IT'S A CHRISTMAS CARD FROM 74, THINK WIGAN! THE MESSAGE READS "MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR, MAY IT BE A GOOD ONE WITH PLENTY OF GEAR". IT'S A CLASSIC OF THE TIME, DAVE

Hi Kev.I used to go to Wilby now and again-great atmospere,and Gibby and Mick although hardly ever mentioned (unless ive missed something) were a couple of the best DJs ive heard. Would have gone there more often but spent more time up north.

I was wondering if you remember a bloke called Paul Shears or as we used to call him-Shag.I think he was a regular there.It was with him that I went to the Wheel with for the first time-he now lives in Australia.

Hi Kev.I used to go to Wilby now and again-great atmospere,and Gibby and Mick although hardly ever mentioned (unless ive missed something) were a couple of the best DJs ive heard. Would have gone there more often but spent more time up north.

I was wondering if you remember a bloke called Paul Shears or as we used to call him-Shag.I think he was a regular there.It was with him that I went to the Wheel with for the first time-he now lives in Australia.

The name rings a bell mate but the old grey matter isn't what it used to be.lol. Chances are I'll get to the re-union and won't remember any bugger there!

Thank god for that.I thought it was just me!!!!

would love to have attended however if Paddy is on board, no way.

Regards

PD

Edited February 11, 201114 yr by PaulDonnelly

You got it in one Paul.

HI TO ALL YOU BLETSONIANS AND TO ALL YOU CARROT CRUNCHERS FROM BADS BUCKS CAMBS & NORTHHAMPTONSHIRE, AS ESSEX AND HERTS ARE THE TRUE HOME FOR MOCKNEYS "YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT SUNNY BOY"?

CAN YOU REMEMBER OR GOING TO THE NCOS MESS ON CHICK-SANDS USAF BASE? THE BONANZA CLUB RAF HENLOW/GRANGE. THE PONDAROSA USAF LAKENHEATH (FANTASTIC CLUB) AND THE NCOS CLUB ON USAF BASE MILDENHALL, LAKENHEATH WAS THE BEST A CROSS BETWEEN TILES CLUB AND BILLY WALKERS UPPER CUT, INCLUDING THE GO-GO GIRLS I SAW WILSON PICKET AND ARCHIE BELL AND THE DRELLS THERE AND THATS THE ONLY GIG THEY DID IN THE UK' THE BONANZA CLUB USED TO HAVE LITTLE BRUCE WICKS ORIGINAL MOD DJ FROM LETCHWORTH, BRUCE USED TO DJ AT THE TILES. SCENE THE UK'S FIRST SOUL ALLNIGHTER, THE TIMES CLUB, THE HERMITAGE AND BOWES LYON CLUB. AFTER MICK SMITH BRUCE WAS A STRONG MENTOR AND A HUGE INFLUENCE, IN 67/8 TUNED ME ON TO THE ACTION LABEL,

BACK TO THE BONANZA VERY ROUGH GUARANTEED CLASH ESPECIALLY WITH THE BIGGLESWADE GREBE'S ALBERT BIBBY AND TUNGY WREN VERY HARD MEN INDEED. MY FAVORITE RECORD WAS LOVE ON A MOUNTAIN TOP,AND BABY YOU GOT IT, CLASSICS I HAVE ONLY ADDED THIS BIT AS IT WAS NOT ALL ABOUT RARE SOUL 24 7, DAVE THE MOCKNEY KIL

The guy on the left at the front kinda looks like a guy I knew from Corby - Trevor Johnson (not sure though)Referring to the post made by Kevinkent on the 31st January 2011.

Edited February 19, 201114 yr by souljer6

A recent member on here Malc Gibbons (Gibby) was responsible for my introduction to the scene at the George Inn, Wilby, Northants, in the late 60's. I think he also DJ'd at Bletsoe as well as niters at Earls Barton and Kelmarsh (where I believe Ady first got into the scene).

I can only speak of the Earls Barton niter which was in a smallish hall that was part of the greyhound track and some distance from the village itself. I think most niters of that early era were in small and remote places and a bugger to find.

The squad knew where they were though, and roadblocks/searches/raids were not too uncommon. I even remember being in a car that was peppered with shotgun pellets by the motorbike boys that lay in ambush in the hedgerows.

Happy days!

hi went to earls barton dog track several times a long way fromsheffield in a knackered morris thousand estate, met a lot of very sound youths who invited me and mates to bletsoesomewhere in the in the middle of a fookin nowhere ,only remember the smell of pigs ,mud all over, also went to somewhere near a shooting range but for the life of me cant remember the nameof the place after 40 odd years

HI I WENT TO A PLACE LIKE THAT YOU DESCRIBE, BUT IT HAD BANGER RAVING AND SOUL WAS PLAYED THROUGH THE TRACK PA SYSTEM FROM A TAPE OR DISCATRON, THERE WAS A SMALL HUT TYPE BUILDING THAT I THINK WAS THE ACTUAL ALL NIGHTERS, I COULD NEVER TELL IF THEY WERE SOMEONE PARTY DONE ON THE CHEAP AT THE TIME AS ONE TIME I WENT TO ONE IN A CHICKEN SHED, I WAS ALWAYS TP BLOCKED IN THEM DAYS TO REMEMBER THE RIGHT NAMES OF THESE BEDFOORDSHIRE HIDE OUTS/ THE BANGER TRACK WAS UP NEAR CORBY COULD OF BEEN IN NORTHHAMPTONSHIE,, YOU LOT WILL ALL KNOW IT, I AM 40% SURE IT WAS EARLS BARTON?// DAVE

HI I WENT TO A PLACE LIKE THAT YOU DESCRIBE, BUT IT HAD BANGER RAVING AND SOUL WAS PLAYED THROUGH THE TRACK PA SYSTEM FROM A TAPE OR DISCATRON, THERE WAS A SMALL HUT TYPE BUILDING THAT I THINK WAS THE ACTUAL ALL NIGHTERS, I COULD NEVER TELL IF THEY WERE SOMEONE PARTY DONE ON THE CHEAP AT THE TIME AS ONE TIME I WENT TO ONE IN A CHICKEN SHED, I WAS ALWAYS TP BLOCKED IN THEM DAYS TO REMEMBER THE RIGHT NAMES OF THESE BEDFOORDSHIRE HIDE OUTS/ THE BANGER TRACK WAS UP NEAR CORBY COULD OF BEEN IN NORTHHAMPTONSHIE,, YOU LOT WILL ALL KNOW IT, I AM 40% SURE IT WAS EARLS BARTON?// DAVE

Could it have been Brafield staduim a well known banger track on the borders or Northants and Beds Dave ???

HI ...I REALLY CANT REMEMBER, BUT IT WAS A SOUL EVENT, AS THE RECORDS & DURAPHET WAS THERE AND PEOPLE FROM BEDFORD WHO WENT TO BLETSO, ALL THESE TEARS LATER, I THOUGHT I HAD ATTENDED EARLS BARTON AND IT TURNS OUT TO BE A MEETING OF THE BEDFORD AND NORTH HAMPTON CHEMIST BREAKERS SECRET 1 OFF GET TO GETHER, STILL I WENT THERE, WHERE EVER THERE IS, I NO I WILL MAKE A BADGE FOR THE UNKNOWN ALLNIGHTER?? DAVE

HI ...I REALLY CANT REMEMBER, BUT IT WAS A SOUL EVENT, AS THE RECORDS & DURAPHET WAS THERE AND PEOPLE FROM BEDFORD WHO WENT TO BLETSO, ALL THESE TEARS LATER, I THOUGHT I HAD ATTENDED EARLS BARTON AND IT TURNS OUT TO BE A MEETING OF THE BEDFORD AND NORTH HAMPTON CHEMIST BREAKERS SECRET 1 OFF GET TO GETHER, STILL I WENT THERE, WHERE EVER THERE IS, I NO I WILL MAKE A BADGE FOR THE UNKNOWN ALLNIGHTER?? DAVE

I used to go to bletsoe "DISCO CLUB" as advertised on a piece of wood that used to be a box of kippers,

50pence admission from 12 midnite saturday till 6am sunday morning, what a frightening place full of

dodgy geezers like john tappenden,, chief, paul brennan, dougie brown and smelly george atkins.

less dodgier people were keith tilson (tilly) gibby glenn bellamy and the many gorgeous women

that used to go for a pee in the field nearby, AND in pairs, tradition is a mighty thing!!

Tony Warot.

I used to go to bletsoe "DISCO CLUB" as advertised on a piece of wood that used to be a box of kippers,

50pence admission from 12 midnite saturday till 6am sunday morning, what a frightening place full of

dodgy geezers like john tappenden,, chief, paul brennan, dougie brown and smelly george atkins.

less dodgier people were keith tilson (tilly) gibby glenn bellamy and the many gorgeous women

that used to go for a pee in the field nearby, AND in pairs, tradition is a mighty thing!!

Tony Warot.

remember johnny t and his missus also remember dougie brown and the very infamous smelly george or big george (to his face lol.........went to the torch with him once........sadly died whilst trying to swim across the river from the pilgrims side in bedford.........found him 2 miles down......never mind these things happen

Hey Kim/Tez. Great thread this. My big bruv went to Bletsoe and there was great mistique about it. Managed the Nag's a couple of times but we were still learning in Rushden about this new undergound Soul stuff. Our introduction was via Nick of Cloud 7 Mobile Disco at The Drill Hall, Victoria Road in Rushden and the old Scout Headquarters at The Lightstrung circa 1971. First time I bumped into Tony Parker I think? Amongst the Motown stuff he used to play Dobie Gray, Mitch Ryder, Jamo Thomas, Human Beinz, Len Barry etc. He had record shops later in town and I used to pester him for a copy of "Out On The Floor". Always the promise he'd have it "next week" - until eventually he sold me his own copy. Turned out to be a slate Emidisc and on the flip was Sandi Sheldon! Is that the best introduction to Northern Soul or what?

Happy days!

I used to go to bletsoe "DISCO CLUB" as advertised on a piece of wood that used to be a box of kippers,

50pence admission from 12 midnite saturday till 6am sunday morning, what a frightening place full of

dodgy geezers like john tappenden,, chief, paul brennan, dougie brown and smelly george atkins.

less dodgier people were keith tilson (tilly) gibby glenn bellamy and the many gorgeous women

that used to go for a pee in the field nearby, AND in pairs, tradition is a mighty thing!!

Tony Warot.

HI TONY HOWYOUDOIN! AIN'T SEEN YOU FOR OVER 3 YEARS, HOPE YOU ARE ALL KEEPING GOOD, IT SEEMS THAT THERE IS SOME EVENT ON EVERY WEEK BDOWN IN BED, DID YOU GO TO THE WILBY REUNION THIS WEEKEND? AND WHAT IS THE BEST EVENT ON WHERE EVERY ONE GOES, AND DONT GET POLITICLE, DID YOU GET A COPY OF THAT REGAL HITCHIN POSTER?? Mr KILWORTH

Absolutley, although I first heard Just Like the Weather at The Birds Nest in Hampstead, dont know the Mel Williams one so mine would be our Love is in the Pocket, funnily enough only managed to get hold of copies both the Hesitations and Nolan Chance singles at a reasonable price off Ebay last year.....nearly 40 years after first hearing them !!!!!!!!!!!

Blimey Paul, not many people went there. I was living in London then and drove a battered Vespa (sorry!) up to it one night, drank a handful of Carlsberg Special Brew and drove home to St Pancras in 5 minutes and couldn't remember how I got there. I once had some of the biggest green and clears, from a Harboro Chemist that got done, anyone had ever seen. This lad who was acting very cool with me turned into a gibbering wreck when he saw them. I had my best night on Mandys then too. The Nolan Chance might have been the Bunky copy Dave Burton eventually sold me and was on Manships a couple of weeks ago.

This is a great thread, I can't believe I've not posted on it. Bletsoe was the b*llocks, one of the most blocked times of my life and hearing I Don't Want To Discuss It and A Quitter Never Wins in that condition was unbeatable. I loved the rural aspect of it all, Kelmarsh was the same and I visited it after the Cleethorpes weekender prompted by a post from Swish. We were so lucky to go through all that.

I love the photos please stick up more people.

Edited February 7, 201510 yr by pikeys dog
swearing - workplace filters

HI I WENT TO A PLACE LIKE THAT YOU DESCRIBE, BUT IT HAD BANGER RAVING AND SOUL WAS PLAYED THROUGH THE TRACK PA SYSTEM FROM A TAPE OR DISCATRON, THERE WAS A SMALL HUT TYPE BUILDING THAT I THINK WAS THE ACTUAL ALL NIGHTERS, I COULD NEVER TELL IF THEY WERE SOMEONE PARTY DONE ON THE CHEAP AT THE TIME AS ONE TIME I WENT TO ONE IN A CHICKEN SHED, I WAS ALWAYS TP BLOCKED IN THEM DAYS TO REMEMBER THE RIGHT NAMES OF THESE BEDFOORDSHIRE HIDE OUTS/ THE BANGER TRACK WAS UP NEAR CORBY COULD OF BEEN IN NORTHHAMPTONSHIE,, YOU LOT WILL ALL KNOW IT, I AM 40% SURE IT WAS EARLS BARTON?// DAVE

HI DAVE,YOU ARE 100% RIGHT IT WAS EARLS BARTON DOG TRACK,LOL--KTF --GIBBY

Blimey Paul, not many people went there. I was living in London then and drove a battered Vespa (sorry!) up to it one night, drank a handful of Carlsberg Special Brew and drove home to St Pancras in 5 minutes and couldn't remember how I got there. I once had some of the biggest green and clears, from a Harboro Chemist that got done, anyone had ever seen. This lad who was acting very cool with me turned into a gibbering wreck when he saw them. I had my best night on Mandys then too. The Nolan Chance might have been the Bunky copy Dave Burton eventually sold me and was on Manships a couple of weeks ago.

This is a great thread, I can't believe I've not posted on it. Bletsoe was the b*llocks, one of the most blocked times of my life and hearing I Don't Want To Discuss It and A Quitter Never Wins in that condition was unbeatable. I loved the rural aspect of it all, Kelmarsh was the same and I visited it after the Cleethorpes weekender prompted by a post from Swish. We were so lucky to go through all that.

I love the photos please stick up more people.

Ady, The Nolan Chance on Bunky you refer to was defo not the one you had. I can confirm the one on J.M auction was an unplayed mint copy found here in Perth, W.A. and had never seen the light of day until he got his hands on it. Tony. OZ.

Edited February 7, 201510 yr by pikeys dog
swearing - workplace filters

Hi All Thanks for that, I remember not much about these Beds Bucks & Northhampton venues, as (a) I was always perking on Green & Clears Red & Brown Mix, (b) Chris Gallard from Letchworth & Bedford did all the driving in his moggy van, Nice comments from Ady, DAVE

Ady, The Nolan Chance on Bunky you refer to was defo not the one you had. I can confirm the one on J.M auction was an unplayed mint copy found here in Perth, W.A. and had never seen the light of day until he got his hands on it. Tony. OZ.

Thanks for clarifying that, but i didn't mean it was the exact same copy.

Cheers

Ady

Bletsoe, whatever happened to Delbert?

Blimey Paul, not many people went there. I was living in London then and drove a battered Vespa (sorry!) up to it one night, drank a handful of Carlsberg Special Brew and drove home to St Pancras in 5 minutes and couldn't remember how I got there. I once had some of the biggest green and clears, from a Harboro Chemist that got done, anyone had ever seen. This lad who was acting very cool with me turned into a gibbering wreck when he saw them. I had my best night on Mandys then too. The Nolan Chance might have been the Bunky copy Dave Burton eventually sold me and was on Manships a couple of weeks ago.

This is a great thread, I can't believe I've not posted on it. Bletsoe was the b*llocks, one of the most blocked times of my life and hearing I Don't Want To Discuss It and A Quitter Never Wins in that condition was unbeatable. I loved the rural aspect of it all, Kelmarsh was the same and I visited it after the Cleethorpes weekender prompted by a post from Swish. We were so lucky to go through all that.

I love the photos please stick up more people.

I'll apologise now, following is slightly off thread

Hi Ady,

Loadsa of us from Luton used to go down there, the Birds Nest, myself (Paul Brennan), Micky Bartalis, Ian Cowley, Noreen and Effner, Chiefey, John Harris, faces I can see but cant put names to, probaly a hard core of 20 of us, plus Dave Godin used to turn up regulary,( very ginger that bloke was) and that geezer he took with him on his jaunt to Blackpool Mecca, that resulted in the Blues and Soul issue with the term Northern Soul coming into existece in it, anyway, used to come with him, was it Mark Billingham ?.

I mean the Birds Nest was Northern Soul oasis in South of England, literally, at the time, going north were'nt till you got to Bedford when Dingle used to DJ at that old hotel, (the old riverside hotel, anyone?), that ''decent'' soul music, anything but James Brown, got played.....I've said itbefore but first heard She Blue a good thing, and I was hooked, at one of Digles sessions.

My Nolan Chance copy is on the Bunky label.....I thought it came out on Constellation, at least the Birds Nest copy was a constellation issue.

Only saw Green and Clears once, they were from a chemist that got turned over in Markyate, nr Luton...me, Dougie Howlett, Jhon Harris, copped 5 freebies each, we'd never seen them before, pardon my English BUT THE BEST F*CKING SPEED I'VE EVER HAD !!!!!!.

I've never ever seen them again, not done gear since '76, BUT, if someone came to me with Green and Clears (I've asked my son who's 27 to look out for them LOL) I thinkI'd go into melt down as well, bugger 35 yearsof not having a blockup, I'td all go down the pan.

Yeah Ady, they were top draw caps !!!!!.

As an after thought, I wasinformed at the Georger reunion in Wilby on Saturday that, sadly, John Tappenden is no longer with us (RIP if true) no time frame orcircustances, can anyone elaborate?.

Paul aka DanDare

Edited February 7, 201510 yr by pikeys dog
swearing - workplace filters