WILLINGTON and LOUGHBOROUGH Review

Started the weekend in just the right way, a really good soul night at Willington. This is a really cool venue: a good sized dance floor thats in good repair, a pretty good sound system and a reasonably cheap bar. I think those assets just about cover the requirements of most soulies I know!

WILLINGTON and LOUGHBOROUGH REVIEW

Started the weekend in just the right way, a really good soul night at Willington. This is a really cool venue: a good sized dance floor thats in good repair, a pretty good sound system and a reasonably cheap bar. I think those assets just about cover the requirements of most soulies I know!

The music policy is across the board, but the emphasis (for me) does lean slightly towards oldies. Not that Im complaining, I havent been out a lot recently, so it was nice to feel so comfortable with the music. I never made or asked for playlists, (havent been writing much of late) but once I got there I danced most of the night. Fellow KTFr, Nogsy was there, as was Andy Humberston, and if either of them read this they may be able to remember some of the plays (for those interested) ;-)

All in all (cliché time) I was sick as a parrot that the night didnt go on a little longer, but thats can you ever get too much of a good thing? For anyone who hasnt made the trip to Willington, I would say give it a go, youll probably be pleasantly surprised.

So its now Saturday, Id asked Steve Heinsen and his good wife Janet, if I could scrounge a lift with them to Loughborough and they agreed. By the time we arrived (just before 9:30) the car park already had quite a few cars in it (that could be a case of stating the bleeding obvious) so the night looked promising. And for me I think the promise was fulfilled. The venue was pretty full by 11 and everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves, there were quite a few in from the thriving Nottingham circuit, Carl and Andy Riley with his wife Debs to name but a few.

There was also a fair sprinkling of the species KTF. As already mentioned, Steve and Janet, Alan Gibbons, Andy Humberston, Peter Burton, Nogsy, Mark Sanders, the Rimmerman, Spanner, Chris Anderton and as usual there will be others that Ive forgotten to name.:-) I spent the night flitting between the small room (which included sets from Andy H, Nogsy and Peter B) and the main hall. Best set for me in the main room, well the Rimmerman took the prize. He managed to keep Spanner dancing/walking/yomping all night. ;-) A few of us had a chat and we came up with the idea of getting Spanner one of those "For great Northern Soul dancing, put your feet here, here, and here mats. Amaze your friends, youll never take up quite so much room again" :-)

I thought Dave played an excellent set, as ever, and the floor was heaving during his spot. Again no playlists, mainly because I was too busy dancing. Last spot of the night in the main room belonged to Derek Allen, the Mr Motivator of the Northern DJ circuit, he is just so enthusiastic you cant help but be carried along.

My only grizzle is about the dance floor, which was a composite material that was IMO already quite fast, and after a few had liberally covered it in talc became even faster. Im not going to go into the should you shouldnt you talc the floor, as Ive made my feelings on this subject known before. That really was the only moan I had, it was for me an excellent night with great atmosphere, great music and great company. Once again I urge you to give it a go if you havent been, and to go back if you have.

A big pat on the back to Mark Sanders for working so hard to make it a success, and a further pat on the back for his lovely wife Leanne, for dancing.:-)

KTF Winston