What a fantastic weekend! I warn you now this is going to be a long one.
Friday/Saturday
We don't usually go until Saturday afternoon but after a trip to our local soul night thought we would go early and support Mr. Willingham in the main room. I was sure he was on 4.30-5.30. After arriving at 4.15 and dumping the records off at the chalet we hot footed it over to Arena 1 only to find he was on at 2. Doh! Sorry C&M - our intentions were honourable but our (or should that be my) sense of time/reality was severely lacking.
It was then a quick hop skip and a jump over to Arena 2 to catch the tail end of the Lifeline extravaganza. Cliff was on when we got there and so was the heating! OMG I have never known anything like it
Not many in but the music was top notch. Mick followed Cliff and by the end of his set there was about 10 of us left and we were all in agreement that a great time was had by all. Some of you would say it would be impossible for that few people in a room the size of a small country to have a fantastic time. Well those who were there will tell you otherwise. A dozen smiling, happy, sweaty faces had to be kicked out of there by the Pontins staff - all of us shouting for one more record. It was ace!
Saturday/Sunday
Straight from being manhandled out of the venue we called for our bags en-route back to the chalet. Once inside got a couple of hours kip and woke refreshed and eager to see the live acts rehearsing. Unsure of the time this would take place I thought I would text Ian Cunliffe as he is always on the pulse of such things? The text came back 1pm but that there was a wedding on at the moment. I didn't give this a second thought as there had been church bells in the distance for a while so I just assumed that was the wedding he was referring to.
Upon entering I was informed that the rehearsals had in fact already taken place in order to accommodate the aforementioned wedding. Congratulations to the happy couple!
We watched from the sidelines for a bit and then stood around chatting until it was time to meet Kev & Sharon and go for some dinner. After a lovely carvery it was straight back to the chalet to get ready for the night ahead.
Upon walking in to the new Redemption room I will admit to not being entirely convinced at first. It seemed very bright and the fish and chip ambiance seemed all wrong. I will hold my hands up though and say that my first impressions were definitely miles out because once the lights were down the room took on a whole new feel and it was more than good - it was great!
Before I knew it, it was time for the live acts and as everyone knows, I love the live acts. Yet again they were superb. Nowhere delivers the goods like Prestatyn. I must apologise to Ian and Kev for spoiling their recordings of the acts, James Bell in particular, as it will no doubt be ruined by me singing with all my might at the top of voice all the way through. We were all touched by the grand finale and the sentiment behind it. Best wishes to Bernie and his family.
It was then straight back to Redemption. Ted was on and the room soon started to fill up again. The next few hours were some of the best I have ever experienced in all the years I have been going to Prestatyn. The music and the atmosphere were incredible and the dance floor was top notch too. A million times better than the one in the old room and no noise filtering in from next door. The place was rocking!
Nearing the end of Mick H’s spot I could hear something in the background and for a couple of records I thought someone had left the door to the main room open. That was until Maria announced that it was in fact the fire alarm going off
It was then a case of everybody outside until we were given the all clear to return. We stood around for 10 minutes or so but then decided to retreat to the dryness of the chalet until people were allowed back in. Luck for us we could see the entrance from our penthouse and we were back inside 20 mins or so later. The room steadily filled up again and everyone was soon back into the swing of things.
Straight after George’s set I nipped back to the chalet to find Tony as he had gone back to get a record and failed to return. I found him munching on some cereal and as soon as he had finished we went back to catch the last hour or so in that great little room.
We were about to go back in when we stopped to speak to Keith and Sandra Money who were stood by the door. This was just as Mick H was taking to the stage to begin his set in the main room. I am afraid we never made it any further as we were treated to what has to be the best hour of top of the range, kick your ass onto the dance floor, take no prisoners oldies (for want of a better word) I have ever heard in my life. Honest to God it was fantastic. I could not believe what I was hearing. Awesome doesn’t come close to doing that set justice.
Sunday
After hobbling back to the chalet for a quick shower, it was then over to the cafeteria for some breakfast where we had a great laugh and chat with Pete and Craig. Gilly had to use sign language though as he had lost his voice. I knew I shouldn’t have laughed because an hour or so later I completely lost mine.
It was then back to pack everything away but before heading home we popped into the pub for a bit to wish Tony happy birthday.
Left at around 2pm and landed home around 3.30pm with no voice and completely knackered from dancing and laughing so much (Terry you are hilarious).
What a fantastic weekend! Loved every minute of it
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