Mr Fred

Does anyone remember the time at the central when BuB was drinking Divebombers, i think they were a concoction of brandy,vodka, gin topped up with orange juice. BuB got totally blasted and towards the end of the night visited the toilet,passed out and woke up in the early hours of the morning to find himself in total darkness. All he could do was wait until the cleaner came and opened up! Sounds too good to be true,but it is. I've probably got quite a few stories from the old central days any more i can think of ill put them on here. Regards Fred ward

In no particular order A Big HELLO to Stevie Luigi,Pete Dillan and Ian Dewhirst. Talking of Chris Jenkinson,One Night we'd all been out in Leeds when Chris and I decided to call on Ian Dewhurst at his flat in Headingley. Chris said he'd just got a new 2nd hand car a 3litre Cortina mk 4, to which i replied they don't make a 3litre Cortina, Chris said i know but this one has been modified,i thought bullshitter but when we arrived at the car to my surprise it had massive tyres on and exhausts out of the middle of the car on both sides and when we set off it definately was a 3ltre we went off to Headingley like we were in the batmobile so much so that we must have passed a panda (police) car with two policemen in at approx 80mph. we arrived at Ians flat and were out of the car and walking to the flat when the Panda car pulled up.The two coppers jumped out and said to Chris "what the hell were you doing you must have passed us at least 70mph",to this Chris typically replied in his cool manner o'h i was only doing a steady 30! I couldn't contain myself and cracked out laughing. The policemen gave chris a bollocking but couldn't do anything as they hadn't clocked us. I last saw Chris in the Centre of Leeds A couple of years ago immaculately dressed in a suit . Regards Fred p.s sorry for the type layout it hasn't come out as i typed it!

Hi Fred Ward here, been reading with interest all the discussions about the Central and has got the old grey matter working and memories came flooding back. Over the years i've had the pleasure to meet some really nice people at Leeds Central including the DJ's and the regulars. Here are some names i remember from years ago does anyone else remember them?i may have got the names Slightly wrong as i'm talking a long time ago ,so apologies if i do,please correct me when and where i am wrong. Here goes:- Nobby Clark and Barbara sweeney from Derby,I remember Nobby getting his 1300 Capri nicked from outside the Central. Kev stott,Alan Stevenson and Spenner both from Halifax,Eric smith,Derrick Noble,Dave Thompson,Steve Midgeley,Rob Slater,Bub,Phil Haigh,Irenna,Steve Grimshaw,Our Rob Rob Ward,Stuart Butcher,Sue Parker,Barry Graham&Charlie(Duckinfield)Scoffer&Karen(Huddersfield)Andy wilson,Pete Wakefield&Maggie,Phsyco(Chris Jenkinson) he used to be excellent at cracking people up.Anne Froggat,Charlie Fineburg,John Rhodes,Matchy,Steve Goodison,Chip,Bev Buttery,Rob Hirst from Pudsey,Palph&Dawn from Wath on Dearne,Weasel,and Mary Kenworthy,Colin Vernon. Fred

How about:- Guns Of Navarone Skatalites Long shot Kick the Bucket Pioneers Clint Eastwood Lee Perry Train tour to Rainbow City Pyramids Train To Skaville Ethiopians

Me and my late mate Phil Hague (god Bless him) were on holiday it must be over 30 yrs ago in Benidorm, one afternoon we were walking on this street and could hear a record being played, what would seem to come from nowhere.The record was Rescue Me, this immediately brought a smile to our faces.We located the music which was in a basement bar ,to which we decended and had a great afternoon. RIP Fontella Fred Ward

Just got back from the canary Islands,going through SS forum and totally shocked to read the passing of Pete. A friend for many years and will be sadly missed. Our Sincere condolences go out to Av and Pete's family Jacque&Fred Ward

Jacque & I are totally in shock only just heard the news ,a friend since the cleethorpes nighters. Gary was very close to my late brother Rob Ward. Our hearts and thoughts are with Piddy and family Fred& Jacque ward

p.s. sorry for the bad typing ,it will get better i'm working on it regards

Mine would be,in no particular order:- Patti&The emblems, I'm gonna love you a long long time, James barnett-keep on talking Ellusions-You Didn't have to Leave Ike&Tina Turner-somebody somewhere needs you Alexander Patten/Patton-A lil lovin' sometimes Johnny sayles-I can't get enough Of your love and finally Earl Jackson-Soul Self satisfaction All favourites, with each record immeadiately taking me back to the Clubs,the atmospheres,the people over the years All the best Fred Ward

Was back in the 70's and both were black , i think both originated from the West Indies as we used to call them now better known as the caribbean. regards

Sorry it was in the 70's and it was next to victoria station, regards

Hi Pete do you remember Allans records in eccleshill run by Ivor Allan the coloured guy? our Rob and i used to go there often, also used to go to Ralphs records in Deansgate manchester. Even used to get records from Kingsley Harrison a west indian guy who used to have a record shop in fartown Huddersfield,mainly dealt in reggae but also did a few soul sounds.He used to dj in Harrogate and Scarboro. Regards Fred

How about, The length of your hair is the stick of your love.The expression of your desire,the grass upon your fire. some Lyrics taken from the classic :- Autmn of tommorrow by, The Crow

Just a couple of things i would like to suggest 1.Make sure that you have control over the door to ensure you only get soulies in otherwise it could spoil a night. 2. Always before the night do a sound check to ensure the system is set up correctly,as a lot of venues these days tend to have the sound set too loud and cannot enjoy the music. Hope this can be a help.All the best with your venue.Regards

`I was very saddened to hear of Anne passing away, she used to go out with my brother Rob and we used to knock about together in the 70's with pete Kelly,Phil Haigh, Phil mears and john Ellis going to Leeds Central,Wakefield Intercon,Scarborough bank Holidays.John, Anne used to live on Agbrigg road off Doncaster road in Wakefield Anne married someone from Wakefield who i don't think was on the soul scene. Happy memories of Anne during her time on the Scene Deepest condolences to Anne's Family Fred&jacque Ward

I first was introduced to northern soul was when my brother rob and myself along with my parents used to visit my dads best friend who was a sales rep for a well known record co and guess what he had a back room with no furniture just the floor boards completely covered with demo records not all were soul but i can remember there were plenty in particular all major Lance's, and another i can remember was Twine time by Alvin cash and the crawlers i can remember we spent most of our time in the spare room. Rob i can remember tiffs wakefield very well with rick Vaughan and frankie on the decks in the main hall .Tiffs wakefield had their own dance team can,t remember all of them but there was little Marlene, Tommy Litherland, Ian gouerlay and i think steve midgeley and rob Slater.Upstairs i can clearly recall Tony Banks Playing for the first time Keep on keeping on, N.F.Porter.