dedji1955

Many of the original folks who went the Twisted Wheel always claim that the club was never a Soul Club but a Mod Club that played a lot of Soul They despise and won't acknowledge the Northern Soul Tag

Vernon said he didn't win the competition outright but it was a tie with a Guy from Scotland

Many folks including Vernon claim that it was the 7th Anniversary Dance Competition A ticket from that night shows it to be Sat/Sun 13th September 1980

This is David Ruffin Jrs FB page https://www.facebook.com/DAVIDRUFFINJR2?fref=ts

The lack of detail are what concerned folks I know The name and location of the hotel, no named DJs to give an idea of music played etc has lead to some wondering if it will go ahead

Check this response the Galleries have left on Youtube We’re thrilled that so many people are viewing our Northern Soul video. Although some of the dancing in the video may not be strictly Northern Soul style the students at Wigan and Leigh College and the other dancers who were involved in the video embraced the style of music and dance - we think they did a fantastic job! We approached many Northern Soulies that go to the local clubs and although they expressed interest in being a part of the video unfortunately they didn’t come to the filming day. This was a project by The Galleries Shopping Centre with support from Wigan and Leigh College and Wigan Council. We wanted to reinvigorate Northern Soul in Wigan and introduce it to generations who may not know about it and its significance in the Wigan community in the 1960s. 

Check this video of a so called "Northern Soul Dance Workshop" to train the dancers for the Galleries video I don't blame the kids but the Tutors and the Galleries Manager should be ashamed

Rumour has it that the Hotel is the Brittania at Standish on the outskirts of Wigan It was Cassinellis back in the day and was a popular Jazz Funk Venue

The Casino started around 66/67 before that it was the Empress Ballrooms The Allnighters started in 1973 but for most of us locals it was where we danced to Soul music long before the Nighters started

And if you think that was bad you should see some of the videos for the other type of dance classes they run The Burlesque video is horrific https://www.dance-dynamic.co.uk/

It wasn't Wigan Council who did the video it was the Manageress of the Galleries Shopping Centre She approached the local Soul Clubs to get involved, but no one would work with her when she wouldn't take on board the advice she was given Non of the current councillors or staff have any connections with decisions made over 30 years ago and as responsible adults let alone councillors who wouldn't try and close a venue that was responsible for a massive increase in robberies to chemists, vehicle theft and where the majority of folks attending where taking speed and I speak as someone who started going the Casino in 1970 and participated in the above One of the local Councillors promotes one of the longest running local Soul venues which attracts folks from all over the country and has promoted local Nighters Although the Twisted Wheel was originally closed because the local authority and police decided to withdraw the licence that allowed Nighters to be held folks appear to conveniently forget this and decisions made in other areas but keep going on about Wigan Council.. Most folks are also unaware what was in Gerry Marshalls lease from the council but quote and rely on Chinese Whispers The video is crap and as someone who is active on the local scene I can tell you none of the locals who are out n about are happy with it Check the video of the so called "Northern Soul dance tutor responsible https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot20zOkq5Wg#t=18

Yeah I was flitting through the channels and came across it They had young Lauren from Warrington dancing to Time and said she was coming back to talk about NS

If you get to know Pete he is not Anti Casino although I admit it can appear that way I am a Wiganer and see Pete at various venues and there is always a bit of light hearted ribbing Pete attended the premier of the Film at Blackburn a film which many consider to be based on Wigan

There was a thread on FB about this today after it was played in Panorama on Monday Someone claimed Brian Rae played it in Ms

When the plaque was erected it was placed outside the Pandora shop which is near a phone shop although some complained it was in the wrong location

Blunny check the aerial shot off the Town Centre at the bottom of the page where you can clearly see the Casino site on Station Road https://www.wiganworld.co.uk/communicate/mb_message.php?opt=f2&opt2=&msd=270467&offset=0&subject=Woolies%20c.%201826

Although I am local to Wigan and was going the Beachcomber in 1970 long before the Nighters started I would struggle to pinpoint the exact location of the Casino to the Grand Arcade The Murals are huge and if you visit the upstairs toilets near the cafe you can't miss them There is a large sculpture featuring some dancers on a roundabout as you approach the Town Centre from the Motorway

I'm not sure if you walked to the toilets from the Cafe, but seriously the best murals are along the walls en route If your ever in Wigan again they have a display in the History Shop on Library Street, you could also read the old issues of the local papers to get some of the true facts on the drug issue There is an Art Shop on Hallgate near where Russ's old record shop was and it is worth a visit as they display and sell Dave Barrows Casino and Soul paintings

The Dubai Soul Club looks pretty upmarket https://www.facebook.com/soulofdubai/photos_stream

The Grand at Clitheroe try to be posh.. It states.. Smart Casual Dress.. No Shorts or Trainers it's Sunday There are some awesome and splendid venues though.. Blackpool Tower.. Brighouse Ritz..Winding Wheel Chesterfield.. Burton Town Hall are 4 Superb Buildings for starters

They don't sell day tickets for the Fri n Sat and you will have to pay the full wack They normally sell day tickets for the Sunday at £10

Plenty of folk not happy with Talc including me, it's getting beyond a joke too many spraying ridiculous amounts on floors that don't need it

Pete have you tried contacting Steve Donoghue, he runs the TWRF4 Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/110953501257/

Yeah but almost all the Youtube Vids of the Casino arose from the same programme so they aren't a true reflection

As well as folks doing drops to funky street I always remember them doing it to "You've got me dangling on a string" Tony Burns and Kev O'Marah where 2 local brilliant dancers who where dancing at the Casino and Beachcomber years before the Nighters started Booper is without any doubt IMO the best dancer I have ever seen although Matchy always says Val is the best dancer he has seen Both Matchy n Booper are still doing there stuff on the floor