Pauldonnelly

dft

thanks for the e-mail’s, pm's, phone calls and postings of support. Not going into ALL the detail about the why’s etc however I feel compelled to let folk know why I decided to step back from this years Torch Reunion and the scene in general. 1- Several weeks ago a close mate of mine rang me to advise that rumours were rife locally that I had stolen money from last year’s charity fund. It seemed to upset him more than it did me at the time as my conscience was clear. I asked around and to my utter amazement a number of people were aware of this rumour and either dismissed it or were uncomfortable with bringing it to my attention. The thought that folk actually thought I'd stolen money made me feel sick. I did not steal any moneyy in fact last years event actually cost me a few hundred out of my own pocket to allow the Reunions Charity Fund to stay intact as follows…. 2- Ian Levine, I've actually received quite a lot of flack as to why Ian Levine was asked not to attend the 2009 Torch Reunion after advertising he would appear, so again to clear my name here goes. Ian made several demands during Sept 2009 that we felt were unreasonable and uncalled for, one in particular that made me ‘blow a gasket’ so much so we advised Ian Levine that his services would not be required and requested he didn’t attaned. He responded with a "why you hurt me this way, I insist on an explanation, and while I'm at it I have an email here from Malc Burton which constitutes a legal contract and will demand payment" I took legal and was advised he was correct, asked him on this occasion to consider the charity’s, which he ignored. I paid him out of my own pocket to ensure the Charity Fund stayed intact, he cashed the chq 10 days later... 3- Colin Curtis not appearing at the 2010 Torch Reunion is because of me. He spoke to someone at Whitby and made it clear he wouldn't work for me I guess because I organised my charity annual birthday bash the day he was appearing in Peterborough for Jamie Trundle. If you’re reading this Colin, apologies if I have offended you in anyway, however my birthday nights have been going for years and all profits from the fund raising have and will continue to be donated to local Peterborough Charity’s. It was certainly not organised as some type of middle finger to you. Please reconsider and contact Jez ASAP; I for one would be delighted to see you on the stage at Ryan Hall. 4- To the local Stokies who I understand are considering putting on a 'proper Torch Reunion by Stoke people for Stoke people" do what you gotta do boys. I'll be there on 23rd, (I even purchased a ticket) with my close friends to enjoy the spirit of the Torch and contribute to the wonderful Torch Reunion Charity work. Nothing more nothing less. PD. Edit...Jez could you lock the thread please.

what was the name of the small record shop in East Ham? we used to do that, then off the Record Corner (hell of a tube journey then Berwick Street, must have been 73ish. PD

Soul with Skip 7pm to 10pm with guest Paul Donnelly 8 to 9 . peterborough radio on 106.2. . or via their website https://www.radiopeterborough.co.uk/ I'm on the radio to night between 8 and 9 talking about where I discovered this wonderful music of ours via Peter Edwards @ The Westwood, the Caraousel Club then joint promoting the fabulous Wirrina Alnighter and everything in between up to this years Annual Another Can of Worms Soul on August 30th. I;ll be playing gritty 60's uptempo right trough to 2010 Soulful House. 2 FREE TORCH REUNION TICKETS Also listen out for a specail prize, answer one simple question about the Torch all-nighter and Skippy will be giving away one pair of tickets plus free travel on the bus to the Torch Reunion 2010 October 23rd Cya later

Ummmmmmmmmmm the plot thickens, cheers mate

July 76 the Exiters? lol Dec 76 Soul Bowl after July 76 we booked Betty Wright on the Friday and Wigan had her on the Saturday. The Wirriina was takem away from the Phoenix due to gear problems after July and the contract Miindham had with Betty Wright had to be paid??? Then a few months later Anderson rolls into town...me starting to think some sculldugery took place...

well I'm completely fooked now

didn't all the MGM/VERVE stuff that was made popular at the Torch come through various sources via BOSTOCKS ?

Harry Fentons....lol

Lets fill in some very important/missing dates. If The Pohoenix was 1974 to July 76+ and the Soul Bowl nighters from Dec 76? what was the night of Betty Wright at Wigan??

I always through Danny won it in 75....

from a bit earlier on in the year, possibly the greatest night ever at THE WIRRINA As a resident at THE WIRRINA since its conception in 1974 I still get a big thrill from getting involved with the annual reunions, thanks to my bro he did the report for 2004 Wirrina All-nighters 30th anniversary 16th July 2004. So what the hell is, or to be more precise, what was the Wirrina.The Wirrina was a Peterborough City Council run complex comprising of a sports hall and a rather plush ballroom. The PSC all-nighters took place on a monthly basis over a two year period from 1974 to 1976. Granted it was at the height of popularity boom, and all that, but the place pulled the crowds... big crowds. So much so that on occasions both the ballroom and the sports hall were choc-a-bloc. Sure it didn't have the reputation of the Casino, the Torch and the Mecca but the influence of the Wirrina All-nighters on the Northern scene in East Anglia should never be underestimated. Indeed, for popularity it was only ever rivalled by St Ives, but despite this the Wirrina all-nighters remain relatively unknown on the Northern map. These days, talk to people about the Peterborough all-nighters and invariably the Fleet is the topic of conversation, but for those, myself included, who attended the Wirrina during the Phoenix Soul Club era remember those nights with a sense of fondness. Right, nostalgic sentiment out the window, history lesson over, fast forward thirty years. To be honest I didn't really feel up for a Northern night, let alone a re-union. The cold I'd been suffering since Wednesday had really taken hold and my throat was killing me. But, the Mrs wanted to go out and there was nothing good on the box so we made our way to the Parkway (aka the railway) Club in Peterborough for the Wirrina all-nighters 30th anniversary re-union. Paul had contacted me the night before asking me to write a few choice words about the nights proceedings, so pen in one hand and a packet of strepsils in the other I plonked my arse on the closest seat to the bar and settled in for the night. To be honest I'd never been too taken with re-unions. Experience had taught me they were predictable and invariably didn't live upto the hype, I would find myself moaning about the stuff they didn't play, shaking my head in dismay at another squandered opportunity. However, this was the Wirrina Anniversary, the very same venue I attended my first allnighter back in the day, so I decided to stay positive and keep an open mind. Up first, Mr Phoenix himself, my big bro Paul Donnelly. Whenever Paul does an early doors spot he has a tendancy to throw caution to the wind, dig a little deeper and pull out a few unusual tunes that never seem to get an airing these days, and tonight was no different.G Davis and R Tyler - Hold on help is on the way , Alpaca Phase III - I like to Party and Kim Tolliver - Don't know what foot to dance on. All popular sounds at the Wirrina in their own right set the scene for the first 45 minutes. The Bull Twins, Neil and Ady came over to our table and had a quick chat. Neil asked my why the pad and pen? I responded "I'm collating the funny stories you've told me over the past thirty years mate", and quickly showed him a blank page. Bully, always quick on the draw, recited the "god shave me joke" an Oundle Road Classic if ever there was one. In the back ground Paul was still plugging away, no-one dancing but I wasn't moaning, nice to hear Marvin Holmes and Justice again. Mick Thompkins, a guy I hadn't seen since his wedding nigh on twenty years ago, popped up like the shop kepper on Mr Benn and proclaimed that the drinks were on him.... all night, I considered telling him not to be so daft, but thought better of it. One thing about re-union nights is that it has a bad habit of pulling people out of the woodwork Trev Morley, a guy I did my apprenticeship with, approached with a rye smile on his face, we chatted about this and that. It was nice seeing Trev again. Meanwhile, the tumbleweed was still blowing across the dancefloor. Paul wrapped up the graveyard shift with three gems from the period, the sublime Margo Thunder, The Idle Few and the Fantastic Puzzles, the puzzles finally pulling a few people onto the floor. It was quarter past eight and the place was beginning to fill out. Paul handed over to Steve "Jonah" Jones for the next hour or so. Jonah kicked off with The O'Jays working on your case , continuing with the classics My dear heart and Linda Jones' Just can't live my life. A few more people were venturing onto the floor. Credit to Jonah he had the floor packed within 20 minutes or so,and still the classics came. The Embers - watch out girl, Eloise Laws - Love Factory, The Anderson Brothers - I can see him, Bobby Hutton - Lend a hand, and Billy Prophet _ What Can I do. Jonah continued to please the crowd and as a result raisied the temperature a couple notches on the thermomenter adding to what was already a warm and sticky Peterborough evening. Mick Thompkins pushed another pint of Theakstons in front of me.Good lad. Jonah wrapped up what was an enjoyable hour with the Silhouettes - not me baby and Thelma Houstons - Baby Mine. Enter Gary Spencer, not as regular on the scene of late, but Spena had lost none of it. Kicking off with the Bari track and Duke Browner. By now the place was at bursting point and over 300 had pushed their way into the small hall. It was nice to see so many of the old Wirrina gang coming through the doors, Pop Fisher, Johhny Carroll, Mick Beeby, Nick Gilbert, Stef Malajny, Steve Donnelly, Phil O'hearn, Billy Bingham and Gill to name but a few, and not forgetting Mick "another Theakstons" Thompkins. Spena was settling in nicely, and the floor was still busy, Danny Monday, The Carstairs, Eula Cooper and Jeanette Williams filled the airways. On the satge with Spena was Paul and Smudge, so I took time away from the table and joined them for ten minutes or so. My intention was to grab a couple of choice quotes and from each and capture a candid moment of the three together to film. I needn't have bothered really, it must have been the silly season. Paul rattled on about not enough clapping which Smudge chipped in with a comment about penicillin continuing that he was more than a little unhappy that the mirror ball wasn't spinning and Spen, well, he stood there exclaiming that he was missing his carp fishing, the crowd were oblivious and to be honest I doubt if they would have cared. Despite missing his fishing Spen played the crowd and treated them to what they wanted to hear. Freddie Chavez, Sandi Sheldon and Reuben.... one after another, they were all wheeled out. I made my way back to the table and joined the party. Another Theakstons had magically appeared. I glanced back up at the stage and seeing the three of them there I tried to get a mental picture of the old Wirrina days, but unfortunatley the only thing that came into my head was the similarity between Paul, Smudge and Spen and the three tenors. Gary finished off his hour with the Tramps - Hold back the night and the The Exciters - reachin', Andy "smudge" Smith up next. I had been chatting with Smudge the week before about the big tunes that were played at the Wirrina and as is the norm with a conversation of this ilk it wasn't long before it spiralled out of control, degenerating from the sublime to the rediculous. Elusive, the Flasher and California Strut all got a mention. I considered the possibility of Smudge playing a few "howlers" just for a laugh. It was with some relief when he kicked of his spot with Willie Mitchell's The Champion. Again, the classic oldies were the order of the day. Tony and Tyrone's please operator, was well recieved as was the Montclairs and Chubby Checker's you just don't know. Johnny Bragg's They're talkin' about me also got a spin, that is the third time I have heard that it in as many weeks, is this one due for a revival? Who knows. By now the sore throat was all but a distant memory, the beer had taken hold and it was time to verbal. I spent an interesting 20 minutes or so with Johnny Carroll discussing the pros and cons of todays soul scene and the relative popularity of the Parkway venue in general. I took time out to chat with Stef Malajny about the ol' days.He bought a smile to my face. Meanwhile Smudge played on, and the floor remained full. Time for Paul Donnelly to return. Straight in with the Julian Covey then Vel-vets, quickly followed by the Fi-dels, the Soul twins and Tommy Bush, The Gypsies, Bits and Pieces There was a sense of irony in his voice when he introduced Nolan Porters "if I could only be sure" taking time to point out that it cleared the floor when played at the Wirrina circa 1975 though claiming that he knew one day it would be a biggie LOL. by now Paul had necked a few so to hear him give up trying to say "Dooly Silverspoon" was nothing short of hilarious. Despite the big numbers there were those who were conspicuous by their abscence, it would have been nice to see Danny Daniels(who won the dancing competition at Wigan 1975, Spike, Macky, Bob Trotter, Rhyder, Mark Gedge, Johnny Barr, Mick Cooper and all, but times change. One who couldn't be there was Mark Draycott, a dear freind of mine who was a regular at the Wirrina.Sadly Mark died last year and Paul dedicated the MVP's in his memory, a nice touch, one that mark would have appreciated. Paul played upto midnight spinning the World Column, Candi Staton and the Brothers' are you ready for this, finishing off with Manifesto. 12 midnight, yeah! .Tony Dellar takes to the stage, yeah! , thirty years on and Mr Deller had hardly changed, he's just as as mad now as he was then. Still fun to watch him go through his routine though. I especially liked the air trumpet solo he performed to Moses Smith, classic Dellar. Tony kept them coming thick and fast, Mickie Champion, Morris Chestnut, Lenny Curtis and he wasn't going to let us go without hearing James Barnett. At 1-05am the lights came on and it was time to bid our farewells whilst a good 150 or so sang to Long after tonight is all over, and with a sense of satisfaction we made our way into the refreshing air of the night. Granted the Phoenix Soul Club never was a Casino, or Blackpool Mecca, or the Torch not that it ever wanted to yet the affection for the Wirrina all-nighters is still evident, even after all these years, and despite my initial apprehension we had a good time; to be be more precise, we had a fun time........even if they didn't play Oscar Perry and Jackey Beavers Thanks to all involved. Mick Donnelly 17/07/04

You have a PM Mr Kilworth Just needed to let people know that I am NOTHING whatsoever to do with this years Torch Reunion at The Ryan Hall. So all those people who won't or can't attend because of my alleged involvemnt make that phone call to Jez and get on board. I'll be there with my mates enjoying what I hope will be another fitting tribute to a little venue at ST6 4AL, nothing else. PD

why not pick the other side Malc? that would probably finsih you off..please someone record this Burton Danceathon

https://www.sense.org.uk/ I'd like to donate £500 via the Torch Reunion Charity's who in turn will send off to the above always makes me fill up when I see kids who are deaf and blind, its makes you realise how lucky we ALL are... 1- we can listen to every sound whetherr it be "I love you" via family or Wigan Casino singing along to Don't Pretend by the Belles? and 2- we've watched and taken in some of the greatest moments of our lives, children being born, the first anny at the Casino, Posh winning 2-1 away at Hudds in 1992 and MANY more...please give to these kids who's only connection with the world that we ALL take for granted is via a kiss or stroke of a hand via a loved one... Please give what you can even if it's £1? PD

£200? no offence Joe but fookin hell!!!!

turning my heartbeat UP...Import Buddha VG + will suffice, its only a birthday suprise for me Brother In Law from the Mrs PM or email PaulDonnellyBP@aol.com

FULL REFUND IF NOT HAPPY RECORDED £2 SPECIAL £5 Thanks for looking PaulDonnellyBP@aol.com The Blues Busters - Can't Believe your'e gone - BRA m- £75 The Ambers - Another Love/Potion of Love - SMASH WHITE PROM0 m- £70 Majorie Black - One More Hurt - SUE WHITE PROMO vg+ WOL £55 The Groovettes - Think it over baby - RENESS - M- £800 Thee Midniters - You're gonna make me cry - WHITTIER - record vq-lable ring wear £400 The Just Bros = Carlena - GARRISON WHITE PROMO - M- £800 Will Colins and Will Power - Anything I can do - BAREBACK - £290 The Fabulous Emotions - Number One Fool - TAMBOO DEMO £25

Lat Record ever played at The Phoenix Peterboro Nighter 76 was Bobby Huttom Lend a Hand..I should know I played the fooker

TORCH REUNION DJ/S 2010 Due to the passing away of Blue Max Jez has asked Malc Burton if he would share the decks for one hour with Barmy Barry who in turn will play an hour of Torch Tunes dedicted to Max Millward. Due to a Family holiday Colin Curtis can't be with us, I in turn have given my 30min slot to Jez as a way of saying thank you for organising this year’s reunion DAY as follows > 1 to 2 Hose St meet up as last year > 2 to 3 STEWART RICHARDS AND BRIAN CHIDLEY > 3 to 4 PAT WALLACE AND NEIL RUSHTON > 4 to 5 CHRIS LALOR AND IAN CUNLIFFE > 5 to 6 SWISH AND JULIAN BENTLEY > 6 to 7 POKE AND JEZ JONES > 7 to 8 MALC BURTON AND BARMY BARRY > 8 to 9 KEITH MINSHUL > 9 to 10 ALAN DAY AND KEV ROBERTS >10 to 11 DAVE EVISON >11 to end NIGE BROWN TORCH REUNION CHARITY FUND 2010 23/10 All proceeds (after expenses) as last year will be donated to Jez’s preferred three charity’s 1- Downs Syndrome Derby https://www.downs-syndrome-derby.org/altogether-stick-together.aspx 2- Kidney Research UK https://www.kidneyresearchuk.org/home.php 3- McMillan Nurses https://www.macmillan.org.uk This year the Morgan Sisters have kindly agreed to help co-ordinate the fund raising and have already been inundated with various pledges of support, such as; 1- Sue Hey has agreed with her Down Syndrome daughter Sophie to participate in a “race for life” and is looking for sponsors whom in turn she will donate to the Torch Reunion fund, contact Sue via email for more details. sue.hey@sky.com 2- Malc Burton is doing a sponsored dance at the Torch Reunion, basically the old fart can’t walk properly due to acute knee problems (have you ever seen him move, let alone dance?) Basically there will be 17 dj’s at the Torch Reunion, Malc has decided to dance to ONE record per DJ and a finale that will probably put him hospital for a month, he will be attempting a back-drop!!!!! Up to close of business Friday 2/7/2010 Malc has received pledges totalling £200-50p.Contact burtonmalc@yahoo.co.uk regarding sponsorship he’s looking for 50p per dance plus a £5 for a back-drop or more if you can afford it. 3- Chris Lalor has agreed to donate a copy of Bobby Sheen (the original Dr Love) autographed for auction. It was his very last one, he died shortly afterwards, it was written during the making of Ian L's SWONS documentary. Chris will advise how and when it will be auctioned. 4- I was bet £10 I wouldn't introduce Nolan Porter at the recent Nuneaton All-nighter in a Martin Ellis style," now ya know any guy who can break all house records” etc, did it and I now have £10 for the Torch Reunion Charity Fund. 5- Djs….the following DJ’s have as last year offered their services free of charge, Brian Chidley, Stu Richards, Chris Lalor, Ian Cunliffe, Swish, Julian Bentley, Pat Wallace, Neil Rushton and Poke, in fact some of the lads have insisted they pay for their entrance tickets and one has already made a substantial donation to the Torch Reunion Fund, on behalf of Jez thank you guys. 6- Raffle, as last year the girls will be coming round to relieve you of some cash, some wonderful prizes again including some Torch Memorabilia and a NF PORTER signed Keep on Keeping On in a beautiful oak frame donated by Jeremy Jones and Nuneaton’s Mark Freeman. 7- Dave Kilworth has donated a copy of a rare Okeh promotional poster for the raffle 8- Julie is also pressing Siemens to support the night (watch this space) 9- Steve Thorpe from The Free Kicks Foundation (https://www.freekicksfoundation.com/home/) has donated a day out for two at Aston Villa Fc which includes (TBA) this will be sold via Ebay. 10- Blue Monkey Web Design 12 London Road Peterborough PE2 8AR 01733 352681 davide@bluemonkey.it To be auctioned via various websites or if you know someone who needs a website than make us an offer highest bid wins… email pauldonnelly@aol.com Design and set up a website, a free .co.uk name and hosting for 1 year, value of £500 On behalf of the Torch Reunion Charitys thank you to David Brocoli who now lives in Cezana, North East Italy 10-Alan Day, Martyn Ellis and Tony Jebb djing live at The Torch CD £?? Considering its a live recording from 1972 done on a small cassette player then transferred to CS, I for one was expecting a muffled recording however it sounds remarkably clear. 15 mins of Alan Day 30 mins of Tony Jebb 40 mins of Martyn Ellis The sheer excitement on pressing the play button on this piece of history was immense. Not only did I find myself waiting for each sound to come pounding out of the speakers with the excitement of a six year old on Xmas day but the piss take and camaraderie that was prevalent at Hose St is there for all to hear via the DJ exchanges, hardly any noise from the dance floor just three iconic soul dj's doing what they did best. Copies of this wonderful piece of history will be available on the day for £5 each Many thanks Paul Donnelly

A wank with your partner when dancing to the JADES - I'M WHERE ITS AT...awesome, truly awesome. Should have been in the new film

pmsl Jobee after a weekend away from Spadling

I dj'd at a Cat Whiskers nighter back in 75 with Searling and a very young Gary Spencer, maybe evem Smudge Smith...

thats far too easy, lets make him look like a right twat, I'll donate a fiver if Jez wears a pair of jeans that are 3" to long in the leg, a pair of black driving gloves and a Harry Worth Mac for the duration of the Torch Reunion.

Donated by Kev Roberts all proceeds to the Torch Reunion Charity Fund I have 2 tickets for the Kings Hall allnighter Stoke July 17th 2010. Face value £12 each, best offer via PM to me before 5pm Monday 22nd June, gets em Thank you to Kev Roberts