Kathryn Magson

On 19/10/2023 at 18:24, Julianb said:

I would love to comment on this thread but I can't remember 

I'm surprised I can remember as much as I do Julian - it's all a bit of a jumble though......... 

40 minutes ago, Shinehead said:

Not my idea of Northern Soul always wanted it to be a bit elitist myself but unfortunately the genie is out of the lamp and all and sundry have leapt on the bandwagon. 

They do seem to be enjoying themselves on most of the vids I have watched and to those partaking that's the whole point a good weekend getting pi**ed and dancing and reliving it later on YouTube. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My thoughts exactly! It would be SO good if we could stuff that genie back into his bottle.........

On 01/09/2023 at 16:52, Andybellwood said:

Oh dear. Shame the current owner isn’t being very transparent in their plans for the site?

When we looked round The Ritz a couple of weeks ago, I think the person that showed us around was the owner (or co-owner). She told us that they had tried absolutely everything they could think of - the local council to see if any help was available - reduced rates etc - heritage funding had also been tried & refused - listed building status - but nothing was forthcoming. She seemed really frustrated & disappointed at the lack of response from the authorities - it must have cost the current owners a small fortune in rates & insurance alone to keep things going while they tried for help with funding & that they had now run out of options. It was costing too much to keep on flogging the proverbial "dead horse" & now - sadly - demolition seems to be the only option. The place is in such a sad, sorry state that I reckon the cost of restoration would be prohibitive anyway. 

I've just been into Brighouse this aft & went past The Ritz. The bulldozers haven't moved in yet, but there's all sorts of stuff piled up in the car park - it looks as though they're gutting the place before demolition. 

3 hours ago, Andybellwood said:

Hasn’t the exterior had Grade 11 listed status- or just wishful thinking ?

"Fraid not Andy - would be great if it was! I think The Ritz was considered for listing at some point, but for some reason it wasn't granted listed status. 

16 hours ago, Zoomsoulblue said:

Millionaires 

Craig Charles is an English actor, comedian, author, poet, DJ, and television presenter who has a net worth of $2.5 million.

Stuart Maconie Networth 2023  2.85 Million - plus maybe tap 

John Manship & Kev Roberts up 

Looking for support from some of the rich guys would be a great idea & has already crossed my mind. I've asked around, but nobody seems to know just who currently owns The Ritz, let alone their contact details. I thought it sounded on Friday that it won't be very long at all before the bulldozers move in.  

2 hours ago, Stephen Houghton said:

Wouldn't it be nice to win the lottery and buy it and make it rise from the ashes again if only

It certainly would Stephen - it would take a massive win! We could maybe do with a few rich mates willing to club together & bail it out......how many millionaires do you know? 'Fraid I don't think I know any unless they're keeping it secret lol.

2 minutes ago, Stephen Houghton said:

Great memories of this place Kathryn, and sadly like a lot of them going to the wall .

It was so sad to see it in this state Stephen - I was expecting a building site but this was just beyond belief. 

Yesterday a friend and I took up the invitation to have a last look around the iconic Ritz in Brighouse - sadly, only a small handful of us were there. 

We had no idea just what to expect - we thought the place would be something of a building site - but even then, we were both shocked & saddened by the sight that greeted us. From the outside, at first glance The Ritz doesn't really appear much different - a bit unloved & unkempt, run-down & in need of a bit of tlc - but otherwise no great change.  However, on entering the foyer we were in for a huge shock, with dirt, litter & rubble strewn everywhere & an overpowering smell of damp. mould & decay. Once inside the room there was no lighting, so we found ourselves in total darkness & were shown around by flashlight.  

The current owner told us that they'd had very little interest from potential buyers, as both the business rates & insurance were so high that buyers were immediately put off. There have also been numerous burglaries, with lighting; sound system & copper piping all stripped out,. The most recent burglars had clearly spent quite some time there - helped themselves to drinks from the bar & left a few personal items - shoes etc - even a pair of nail clippers, so bizarrely someone must have found time for a bit of a pedicure!

Even now, in a corner of the room there stands a boiler & more copper piping awaiting collection by the burglars (apparently the most recent burglary has resulted in 4 men in police custody - I'd already seen in the local paper a few days ago that they'd been arrested, all armed with machetes).

It was so sad to see this once great venue reduced to this sorry state - I think many of us have fond memories of those storming nights at The Ritz & would love to see the place rise from the ashes, but any such hopes were thoroughly crushed as soon as we entered the building. 

I thought some of you might be interested to see a few photos that were taken yesterday.

1 hour ago, Paul-s said:

To me, this sounds and looks embarrassingly cringey and dire...but thats just me..Everything i ran away from and escaped from via the Northern Soul scene.

• My thoughts exactly Paul-s - you hit the nail on the head!

1 hour ago, Woodbutcher said:

I'm sticking the whole affair in the same box with the Jubilee NS float ... and burying it in the far corner of the garden hopefully never to be seen again.

One word sums it all up for me  ... Embarrassing.

I'll second that one - couldn't have put it better myself! 

Happy birthday to your Mum Drew3 - hope you all have a lovely day xx    

23 hours ago, Leicester Boy said:

Really not for me, have never ever understood tribute acts and would rather go to the dentist than see a ns tribute act, sorry.

I'll second that one Leicester Boy 

14 hours ago, Algsoul said:

Dogs all my life    so sad when the time comes

I've had dogs all my life too - losing them never gets any easier, but you have to put your pet first. You'll know instinctively when the time comes that you need to make that difficult decision. I've always been there to hold my dogs right to the very end - it's so hard, but your pet needs the reassurance of you being there for them. My heart goes out to you Wilxy - I've been there so many times. 

Such sad news - I saw Ike & Tina at The Wheel in the 1960s - one of my favourite acts - they just blew the roof off! Absolutely brilliant & so good that she survived the abusive relationship she had with Ike Turner to become the iconic singer that she was. We had no idea at the time how badly she was treated by him.  R.I.P. Tina

Hope it's ok to post this on here & also hope it's in the right place!

                     Saturday 15th April

Record Fair at Little Horton Unity Club, Montague St, Bradford. BD5 9BT

For more info or to book a table, please contact Ellen Boyle on 07958156749.

I've always thought that if you can't say anything good about someone then it's best to keep your mouth shut & say nothing at all. Seems to have kept me out of trouble so far......mostly.....

I've just seen this post on Facebook & shared it - talc can be absolutely lethal! I really sympathize with Karl & Trudy.

I also know quite a few who people who suffer from breathing problems due to spending years breathing in the stuff on dance floors up & down the country.

1 hour ago, Chalky said:

Can I take the 5th 

Maybe I should have done that Chalky - I'm too honest for my own good......