Wakefield Unity All - Nighter 1976 - 1977

1st all - nighter 32 years ago , December 17th 1976

My sincerest thanks to all those who attended the all - nighters , and to all the DJs , who made the Unity a success ......

Malc Burton , promoter

Edited December 10, 200816 yr by Malc Burton

Great Niter Malc

Many Happy Memories, with me old mucker John Poole

and Nev Wherry RIP.Think they were both on your DJ

rosta.

First heard Candy and the Kisses- Do The 81 in the

Oldies Room there, sure it was a guy called Derek

Greenhoff played it?

Regards

Paul

Only went to one but i had a very good time, well done. Stlill got one of your car stickers on the side of my play box, big white and red design with Stax logo. Sam

absolutley brilliant niter, used to get on the last bus from bradford, with toddy,silver e.t.c

Loved the Unity niters. One of my top 3 all time favourite venues.

All the best Malc...

Loved the Unity niters. One of my top 3 all time favourite venues.

All the best Malc...

Male Burton ?

Suppose that was before the op. then Malc

Male Burton ?

Suppose that was before the op. then Malc

Which one Steve ? .........

That advert for the first night , comes from Blues and Soul , who were not averse to dropping a bollock with my ads for the Unity , despite having the wording for the copy , clearly type written .........

They soon got it right when I said I would not pay for their errors .........

Malc Burton

Great Niter Malc

Many Happy Memories, with me old mucker John Poole

and Nev Wherry RIP.Think they were both on your DJ

rosta.

First heard Candy and the Kisses- Do The 81 in the

Oldies Room there, sure it was a guy called Derek

Greenhoff played it?

Regards

Paul

Correct - It was played in the oldies room , either by Derek or myself : As I am an unassuming chap , I will give Derek the credit ........

As you state , Derek , along with Pooley and Nev , were just three of the DJs who contributions made the Unity the success it was ........

Full Unity DJ line up

Pat Brady

Andy Lee

Chris Donaghue

Colin Curtis

Dave Evison

Malc Burton

Bub

Martyn Ellis

Derek Greenhoff

Ginger Taylor

Ian Dewhirst

John Poole

Derek Sheldon

John Manship

Rick Scott

Soul Sam

John Vincent

Keith Minshull

Nev Wherry

Paul Rowan

Paul Schofield

Poke

Richard Searling

The Unity was concieved as a " no - frills " all - nighter , when the intention of combining new northern sounds and underplayed / established oldies , with the emerging " modern " sounds of the time : this it did successfully , for its' playlist of those sounds were accepted without predudice or questioning , by those who attended . At the height of its' popularity in 1977 , it was stated as being a better all - nighter than Wigan Casino was . It was killed off by the beauracratic greed of the governing body of Wakefield council of the time ........

Malc Burton

Edited December 10, 200816 yr by Malc Burton

Which one Steve ? .........

That advert for the first night , comes from Blues and Soul , who were not averse to dropping a bollock with my ads for the Unity , despite having the wording for the copy , clearly type written .........

They soon got it right when I said I would not pay for their errors .........

Malc Burton

I honestly do remember that typo at the time though Malc.

I honestly do remember that typo at the time though Malc.

They also printed Richard FEARLING ........

Malc Burton

They also printed Richard FEARLING ........

Malc Burton

Not "Sterling" as Dave Owen called him and still calls him to this day !

Loved the Unity niters. One of my top 3 all time favourite venues.

All the best Malc...

Yep, great venue. Have very fond memories. Unfortunately only managed to get a few visits before it got closed down. Great shame!!!

Carol

Also went to the Unity all-nighters a few times and loved it each time!

Did I first hear The Twans "I Can't See Him Again" there??? Think so, but memory is pretty shot these days!

Oldies room was upstairs off to the side of the blacony around the main hall? Please correct me if I'm wrong. There was definitely SOME sort of room there....

Paul

Thankyou Mal, It was a pleasure working for you, a very special venue with like minded people who knew their SOUL MUSIC, I could, and did play what i wanted to play and the crowd always responded, We were spoilt a bit back then were we not Rick

Also went to the Unity all-nighters a few times and loved it each time!

Did I first hear The Twans "I Can't See Him Again" there??? Think so, but memory is pretty shot these days!

Oldies room was upstairs off to the side of the blacony around the main hall? Please correct me if I'm wrong. There was definitely SOME sort of room there....

Paul

Correct Paul - the room used for Oldies and Jazz / Funk , was situated up the stairs to the left , and you did indeed hear The Twans , courtesy of Richard Searling ........

Malc Burton

Thankyou Mal, It was a pleasure working for you, a very special venue with like minded people who knew their SOUL MUSIC, I could, and did play what i wanted to play and the crowd always responded, We were spoilt a bit back then were we not Rick

The pleasure was mine Richard : my sincerest thanks for your contribution .........

Malc Burton

The pleasure was mine Richard : my sincerest thanks for your contribution .........

Malc Burton

great all nighter malc, even if i did get arrested,( & charged!) for "stealing" a day old news paper bundled up to be returned, outside the unity, on leaving in the morning.

cheers, rob. eastbourne

Hi Malc,

Do I not also remember a mutual friend of ours (Andy AKA Biggles) doing the odd spot as well???

Rick

Unity Hall Great place, I remeber the dance floor first time I went, I went over on my arse, people say I havn't got any better at this dancing business . I did find the floor slippy till I got used to it, Yorkshire used to have a good collection or local venues Leeds, Sheffied, Wakefield and York on a Thursday night, places where I used to go when on leave

you had to goto the central first then on tothe nighter one off the best nighters around good times

Wakefield Unity All - Nighter 1976 - 1977

1st all - nighter 32 years ago , December 17th 1976

My sincerest thanks to all those who attended the all - nighters , and to all the DJs , who made the Unity a success ......

Malc Burton , promoter

G'Day Malc, just looking at this thread and what should be sitting in front of me in a frame? Probably the only original poster left in good condition/ Red print on white poster paper. Just love the little caption " doin' it with soul ". Anyway great allnighters and glad i'm still on the scene although 12000 miles away. Be back in April to guest at the Notts Palais reunion, another fantastic 70's venue. Just thought you might like to know about the poster, have you got one ?? Stay soulful, Tony E. OZ. K.T.F.

I still have some of the flyers somewhere, plus one of the large posters. Last train from Sheffield, until I started getting a lift with Derek Sheldon. Great venue in it's day.

G'Day Malc, just looking at this thread and what should be sitting in front of me in a frame? Probably the only original poster left in good condition/ Red print on white poster paper. Just love the little caption " doin' it with soul ". Anyway great allnighters and glad i'm still on the scene although 12000 miles away. Be back in April to guest at the Notts Palais reunion, another fantastic 70's venue. Just thought you might like to know about the poster, have you got one ?? Stay soulful, Tony E. OZ. K.T.F.

Unfortunately not .........

The " Doin' It With Soul " caption came from obviously the title of the 45 , to which I thought , from the many titles I was contemplating to use , was the best one that suited to what I wanted the Unity to stand for .....

I have kept the odd bit of bumph , but generally from what was printed , it was usually given to people to hand out for me . The posters were printed in a limited number run at the time , due to handbills / flyers being the priority publicity medium .

Thank you for your support .

Malc Burton

Edited December 16, 200816 yr by Malc Burton

Unfortunately not .........

The " Doin' It With Soul " caption came from obviously the title of the 45 , to which I thought , from the many titles I was contemplating to use , was the best one that suited to what I wanted the Unity to stand for .....

I have kept the odd bit of bumph , but generally from what was printed , it was usually given to people to hand out for me . The posters were printed in a limited number run at the time , due to handbills / flyers being the priority publicity medium .

Thank you for your support .

Malc Burton

Sorry to hear that Malc, i will see if i can get a copy of it for you and give it to you when i'm over in old blighty in April. Have you any gigs on the first 2 weekends as i'm coming over to guest deejay at the Notts Palais reunion on the 13th. Be great to catch up if you have a do, glad to do a spot for you if there is one going.Stay soulful. Tony. OZ. K.T.F.

Also went to the Unity all-nighters a few times and loved it each time!

Did I first hear The Twans "I Can't See Him Again" there??? Think so, but memory is pretty shot these days!

Oldies room was upstairs off to the side of the blacony around the main hall? Please correct me if I'm wrong. There was definitely SOME sort of room there....

Paul

I used to go to UNITY..... remember 2 rooms. Was friends with Nev and Bub...Had some good nights thee. Used to travel from Grantham. although I remember the last one I went to being disrupted by DS?!

hello Mr S, last time i saw you , you were chopped up an squeezed into a suitcase . long time since we crossed paths, very long time. good to see you're still doin a bit.

I used to go to UNITY..... remember 2 rooms. Was friends with Nev and Bub...Had some good nights thee. Used to travel from Grantham. although I remember the last one I went to being disrupted by DS?!

Remember Unity well. Often used to give Bub a lift back to Barnsley in Poke's motor. What a good laugh that was, not for Poke though he nearly broke his arms trying to keep the motor on the road Good times.

Wakefield Unity All - Nighter 1976 - 1977

1st all - nighter 32 years ago , December 17th 1976

My sincerest thanks to all those who attended the all - nighters , and to all the DJs , who made the Unity a success ......

Malc Burton , promoter

Yes Malc we loved it there, a friend of mine works for Wakefield Council & about 12 months ago he had to go in & check it for damage & safety, he said it was in a sorry state as the roof was leaking badly & this had basically ruined the dancefloor & everything else but thanks for the good times & it was the nearest nighter to home we ever went to btw Malc I've got two stories of my escapades at Unity Hall, one a short & slightly scary one & one a long & every Soulies nightmare one, so if you remember next time we meet ask & I'll regale with full relish.

Take care,be safe & remember, "Yesterday, all our nighter's seemed to far away",

Spot.

Wakefield Unity All - Nighter 1976 - 1977

1st all - nighter 32 years ago , December 17th 1976

My sincerest thanks to all those who attended the all - nighters , and to all the DJs , who made the Unity a success ......

Malc Burton , promoter

Hi Malc. went to one ofthe first ones,well a few,we used to pop into a workin mans club or something like that.

we used to meet 2 sistes from that way,they always blood argued.gud nites.

thelads i hung about with kev burdon,budgie,larkin.i woz young hicy.

not now tho.....great memories,wen i can remember.ha

Hi Malc. went to one ofthe first ones,well a few,we used to pop into a workin mans club or something like that.

we used to meet 2 sistes from that way,they always blood argued.gud nites.

thelads i hung about with kev burdon,budgie,larkin.i woz young hicy.

not now tho.....great memories,wen i can remember.ha

Believe it or not , I remember you being with BJ ( Kev ) and " a pint of Larkin " ..........

I will be ringing Kev tonight , so I will mention your name to the old git ..........

Good to hear from you

Malc Burton

unity_hall.bmp

Edited December 19, 200816 yr by Malc Burton

Great nights at the 'Unity hall' I met me first ever girlfriend there Janice Lofthouse from greengates. Thats when I first realised that there was more to life than Northern Soul and dancing, I was wrong. :-) Great times.

Edited December 25, 200816 yr by steveluigi

Hi Malc

You probably won't remember me but I did the printing of the posters and stickers for the Unity Hall nighters.

I can't believe I haven't got one of either!!! So if anyone has a spare one going or can send me a photocopy of the sticker I'd be more than much obliged.

I wouldn't mind but I ran off a few of the stickers as a "govvy job" for you!

Wakey was the best venue as far as I was concerned. Still have my membership card and the copy of Backtrack 6 you flogged me for £2!!

Happy days (well, nights).

ATB - Andy

Hi Malc

You probably won't remember me but I did the printing of the posters and stickers for the Unity Hall nighters.

I can't believe I haven't got one of either!!! So if anyone has a spare one going or can send me a photocopy of the sticker I'd be more than much obliged.

I wouldn't mind but I ran off a few of the stickers as a "govvy job" for you!

Wakey was the best venue as far as I was concerned. Still have my membership card and the copy of Backtrack 6 you flogged me for £2!!

Happy days (well, nights).

ATB - Andy

fantastic nights at the unity to me best nights ever.

Hi Malc

You probably won't remember me but I did the printing of the posters and stickers for the Unity Hall nighters.

I can't believe I haven't got one of either!!! So if anyone has a spare one going or can send me a photocopy of the sticker I'd be more than much obliged.

I wouldn't mind but I ran off a few of the stickers as a "govvy job" for you!

Wakey was the best venue as far as I was concerned. Still have my membership card and the copy of Backtrack 6 you flogged me for £2!!

Happy days (well, nights).

ATB - Andy

I do remember you Andy - and your sterling and creditable printing work , to whch I will once again convey my thanks for

I have a part of one of the stickers , as it ripped when attempting to peel it from the record box I had stuck it on , as the box would not let go

I have been searching the canyons of my mind whilst typing , to recall what Backtrack 6 was / is - and the light has just come on : a definate SOGM ( senile old git moment ) - still a top album after all these years .......

Malc Burton

Edited December 27, 200816 yr by Malc Burton

never went there myself but have been told it were a brilliant niter

derek greenhoff is still going strong in the locality and as some of you are probably aware, derek co promotes the trades club and kingstone club barnsley.

in fact was at kingstone last night and derek played his usual blinder of a spot,he is one of the most knowledgable guys I know with regard to the northern soul scene and is an anorak of a collector just luv him

never went there myself but have been told it were a brilliant niter

derek greenhoff is still going strong in the locality and as some of you are probably aware, derek co promotes the trades club and kingstone club barnsley.

in fact was at kingstone last night and derek played his usual blinder of a spot,he is one of the most knowledgable guys I know with regard to the northern soul scene and is an anorak of a collector just luv him

I have a lot of time for Derek , both as a person / friend , and respect him as a highly creditable DJ , a respect which has grown in the 36 years I have known him .......

His knowledge and empathy for rare soul music , was the reason why I asked him to be one of the regular DJs at The Unity .

Malc Burton

I have a lot of time for Derek , both as a person / friend , and respect him as a highly creditable DJ , a respect which has grown in the 36 years I have known him .......

His knowledge and empathy for rare soul music , was the reason why I asked him to be one of the regular DJs at The Unity .

Malc Burton

Hiya Malc, sounds like you need to organise a REUNION mate. Put me down for a spot if i'm over there at the time, oh and i will let you have a copy of that original poster as soon as i can get one done. Happy New Year, stay soulful. Tony E. OZ. K.T.F.

Hiya Malc, sounds like you need to organise a REUNION mate. Put me down for a spot if i'm over there at the time, oh and i will let you have a copy of that original poster as soon as i can get one done. Happy New Year, stay soulful. Tony E. OZ. K.T.F.

I organised , and held a well attended 30th Anniversary reunion in 2006 ........

The DJ line up in the night , was Ginger , Sam , John Poole , Poke , Paul Rowan and myself , all notables from the original Unity DJ roster ........

I am comtemplating another in the future , but plans to do so , are set in sand and not in concrete .........

Malc Burton

I organised , and held a well attended 30th Anniversary reunion in 2006 ........

The DJ line up in the night , was Ginger , Sam , John Poole , Poke , Paul Rowan and myself , all notables from the original Unity DJ roster ........

I am comtemplating another in the future , but plans to do so , are set in sand and not in concrete .........

Malc Burton

Sorry Malc i was living in OZ then but would have been there for sure. Anyway as i live a stones throw from the beach the best plans are set in sand mate. As we say here a happy ship catches a fair breeze and as long as a second Unity do is in your mind then it will happen, just a matter of when not if eh?? I will keep an eye on the events thread, just let me know and hopefully it will be when we are over there, usually April and September for 2 weeks at a time. Will be guesting at the Notts Palais reunion on April 13th, are you going?? Have a happy, soulful new year. Regards Tony E. K.T.F.

Wakefield Unity All - Nighter 1976 - 1977

1st all - nighter 32 years ago , December 17th 1976

My sincerest thanks to all those who attended the all - nighters , and to all the DJs , who made the Unity a success ......

Malc Burton , promoter

Only just stumbled accross this thread, and went there once with an ex boyfriend who's brother was Paul Rowan.!!

P

I organised , and held a well attended 30th Anniversary reunion in 2006 ........

The DJ line up in the night , was Ginger , Sam , John Poole , Poke , Paul Rowan and myself , all notables from the original Unity DJ roster ........

I am comtemplating another in the future , but plans to do so , are set in sand and not in concrete .........

Malc Burton

The reunion was a great night,i brought Poke over that night,along with the Peterborough legend that is Johnny Carrol.............Castleford if memory serves me correctly.I do remember having to park Sams car for him "I dont do reversing" bless him!!!!

Just noticed this was up sorry malc, heres a couple of photos you sent me of the place, had some good nights here, remember having a nightmare night with john jeffries

Just noticed this was up sorry malc, heres a couple of photos you sent me of the place, had some good nights here, remember having a nightmare night with john jeffries

Any chance of some playlists?

Any chance of some playlists?

I will dig some out , and post them up asap - possibly tomorrow ........

The photographs in the reply from harry , were taken in 2004 : the centre of the floor in the hall was / had been rotted and warped , with having years of rain fall onto it through the holes in the roof , after the building had been closed .......

Malc Burton

Edited January 15, 200916 yr by Malc Burton

Just noticed this was up sorry malc, heres a couple of photos you sent me of the place, had some good nights here, remember having a nightmare night with john jeffries

Dont recognise these, maybe we went to another venue Paul was playing at in Wakefield. It was a long time ago. I remember the place being smaller with DJ rostrum in the centre, and dance floor around it?

P

Dont recognise these, maybe we went to another venue Paul was playing at in Wakefield. It was a long time ago. I remember the place being smaller with DJ rostrum in the centre, and dance floor around it?

P

As we discussed earlier on t'phone Pauline , The place where you went to was Raquels - also known to many as The Intercon ......

Malc Burton