Professorturnups

For what it's worth, here's my fivepenneth worth :- I've been attending the "Club" since 1982 when Tony and Mick Maguire took me along as a bright eyed 21 year old. I've been a "semi" regular since then, missing out chunks due to health issues etc. So I understand the heritage of the club from a 6T's side. I experienced the fantastic days of Ian Clark, Shifty, Irish Greg and more recently Butch and Keith Money. Praise to Adey for his amazing endurance and patience (I've only known him to miss one all-nighter!) But to get to the point - the All-Nighters were struggling badly earlier on this year as we all know. Things picked up after Mr C's appeal to support the club or it could close anyway, but I seriously wonder if sufficient numbers would be maintained even if the club survived. For a start the admission would have to go up to cover the extra costs we are hearing about and you will still have a problem with an early finish putting off punters coming by train because of the long wait in the morning. I also think the change of opening times has had a detrimental effect (I liked the idea at first) as a 10pm opening time attracts the tourists and undesirables. Admittedly, there has always been an element of "strange" characters but nowadays it's more your group of lads on the p*ss who probably wouldn't be on Oxford St at 1am on a Sunday morning. I have been told that even a lot of the London soulies have stopped going because of this reason. My solution (wait for the gasps of horror) MOVE ON!!! Find somewhere slightly off the beaten track, with a better dance floor, toilets and a later finishing time. I know lots of you will disagree but I think there are as many valid reasons to move to a different club as there are to keep it open (at least as the All-Nighter venue) Even if the club survives I will still attend when I can but I honestly think it's time to "Just Say Goodbye" to that little place affectionately known as "The Club" Mark C (Norwich)

I was travelling from Norwich to one of my first ever All-Nighters at the Fleet , Peterborough in 1978 and we managed to get lost on the way. My friend got out of the car and said "I'll pop in this pub and get directions, stay in the car and listen to this..." The intro to this record simply grabbed me by the goolies and for three minutes I was in soul heaven! "A life changing experience" Mark C

Did Keele alot - big sound was Frankie Valli - You're Ready Now! My friend (now deceased) asked Dave Evison why the music was so crap and was told he should have gone to Blackburn that night instead!! Mark C

Similar story from me - a good 4 hours each way so only made it once. Great little venue and top music. Sorry to see another venue go Mark C

Perhaps I go against the grain but I actually put a night on so my mates can DJ, and I prefer to book the room, advertise the club and simply enjoy getting people together. Never been a collector but simply love the buzz of watching people come through the door - smiling, chatting, dancing and trying to put on a good quality event. Don't do it for the money either!! Am sure there are others out there like me!! Details of The Norwich Backstreet Soul Club Charity All-Dayer on Saturday October 30th will be put up soon... Regards Mark C;) ps.. we discussed the Pay to Play idea about 3 years ago, most of the guys were in agreement but one definitely against!!

Still big at "The Talk" in Norwich - played Saturday night!! Mark C

Cinema City in Norwich are showing the film on Friday/Sat and we've planned a get-together after Friday's showing. Looks like being really busy - only problem is Billy (probably the most regular Wigan attendee from East Anglia) won't be there!! Mark C

Anyone got a copy of the poster - had photos of the DJs/Staff on, including the tea ladies! Mark C

On the footee theme - Les Ferdinand is a big collector. When Chris Waddle moved to Spurs he said there wasn't any Northern Soul in London! Mark C

Frank won't do it - I can ask around but I don't think some people are too happy playing original vinyl on those decks!

Mobbsy - is this for the main room? If so I think you need to specify the type of DJ you need ie someone capable of filling the floor with Motown classics and commercial soul. I recommended Pete Woodrow to you on fb and another one who springs to mind is Malcolm James (Paul Bristers bro-in-law) You could always do the room yourself and put a cd on when you want a break! Mark C

Why don't you try that woman with the dance studio in Huddersfield - she seems to know everything!! Mark C

Not sure about that one but I definitely saw Billy roll down the stairs into the 100 Club a few months ago - and back up again Mark C

Glad you had a good time - my only experience of a scooter Northern doo was at Gt Yarmouth in the late 80s. Edwin Starr (RIP) was appearing at an All-Niter at Tiffanys so a few of us went along. We were dancing and were suddenly aware of people in sleeping bags around the dance floor! A few of them got kicked in the head when the stompers came on lol Mark C

Of course you can take it a step further and say there are two parallel scenes - the Oldies thing that will attract the crowd that ride scooters and like Northern ie Kings Hall, and the upfront Rare Soul scene - Lifeline, 100 Club etc. I doubt that many at Lifeline Saturday were bothered that they were missing the IOW! Mark C

IMHO I would guess that the Northern punters at the IOW would have a "less serious" head on. I'm not on the scooter scene but would imagine that with a different mix of people and different DJs etc you would act accordingly. Regards Mark C

An old friend made a couple of bootleg ones on his photo copier at work as we didn't originals. Too paranoid to use them though! Still got in once the queue had dispersed - 2 hours later! Mark C;)

I can see it now - Northern Soul hits --- CROMER!!! --- at least Jon(Vespa69) will be pleased! Just having a laugh Tony, coming from Norwich myself and knowing the area well, but those tea stalls on the Norfolk coast are struggling let alone a Soul Bar. ATB Mark C

Have opted for 100 Club this weekend but would like to say Good Luck to the promters at Barnsley for their new venue. Hope to get there before too long Mark C ps.. come on Norwich City !!

IMHO the young lad at Stoke and Lottie should both be allowed in. That lad is a fantastic dancer and I only heard words of praise for him. Lotter ain't bad either but the only problem is she's a bit bossy like her mum... Mark C;)

Somebody told me Mitch Ryder was played 13 times at a recent Midlands All-Dayer. Not sure how true that is but it would explain the amount of requests Nige!! Mark C

Yep, still got some tapes from the Fleet and the clapping was fantastic! Guess it's more appropriate at Oldies nights Mark C

Went there 3 times 1. Mini-bus caught fire so we arrived at 4 am 2. Went by train and fell asleep (not actually on the train) 3. Got caught in a freak snow storm (end of April) Spent the night in Membury Services Great Niter though!! Mark C

Sorry Simon but the correct spelling is "Divvy" Mark C (soul/spelling anorak)

F**k me Simsy, bloody drawing room!! You live in a Manor or summit?!! Mark C