Soul Badges

[Guest Maingate]

Anybody know who first introduced the idea of soul badges to the scene and in your opinion the best soul badge you have ever seen.

[Soulcarp]

Anybody know who first introduced the idea of soul badges to the scene and in your opinion the best soul badge you have ever seen.

to your second question i would say with out a doubt the wilton allnighter anniversary badgers are the best I've ever seen imho johno

[Funky 4 Corners]

The first mass produced ones I saw were when the Torch All-nighters took off but in Manchester some kids would go to the Wheel around 1970 with something of a uniform - Brutus short sleeve check shirt with small button and turned up hem on sleeves. Prince of Wales checked trousers, wing tip black brogues and a black blazer with a customised Twisted Wheel badge. These were often lavishly embroidered jobs that they had made at those old fashioned mens tailors that did regimental badges and ties.

[ImberBoy]

I used to love badges, at one time they represented the pathway of Soulies going to various events up and down the country and they looked like passport stamps and were worn proudly to show where they had been.

They became iconic and fashionable but lost their real purpose especially when people wore them whilst pretending to have been to places they had not.

The same happens on the Scooter Scene but more so, we had run patches that you should only be able to buy if attending that particular rally but sadly e-bay now gives those who wish to pretend and fib a chance to look like seasoned veterans.

We also have repo badges now and you can buy embodied badges from the internet.

Badges no longer mean anything.

My proud badges are a few RSG ones and a couple of Keele ones, I have a sack full of Scootering ones.

[SOULCENTRAL]

I used to love badges, at one time they represented the pathway of Soulies going to various events up and down the country and they looked like passport stamps and were worn proudly to show where they had been.

They became iconic and fashionable but lost their real purpose especially when people wore them whilst pretending to have been to places they had not.

The same happens on the Scooter Scene but more so, we had run patches that you should only be able to buy if attending that particular rally but sadly e-bay now gives those who wish to pretend and fib a chance to look like seasoned veterans.

We also have repo badges now and you can buy embodied badges from the internet.

Badges no longer mean anything.

My proud badges are a few RSG ones and a couple of Keele ones, I have a sack full of Scootering ones.

YEP I MUST AGREE WITH YOU ON MANY OF THE ABOVE OBSERVATIONS.

I personally always wore my Torch badge, with the torch symbol on black background, with pride and a sense of belonging. Same thing with the Central soul club badge. I loved both these clubs and regarded them as my own special places. Really could never understand peoples desire to buy almost every badge under the sun and adorn their coats and jackets with them, but each to their own so to speak. I hated the practice of many clubs bringing out "cheap looking versions" of badges like Golden Torch Forever and Casino Lives etc. Was this the early shutes of the commercialism of northern soul?.

Fairplay to many of the soulies that put the club badges on their travel bags which as you rightly mentioned indicated a form of right of passage.

Some of the clubs these days do not seem to make much of an effort when it comes to giving out anniversary badges as they seem to be just printed and made as cheaply as possible. The original ones are the best as when these were bought they actually meant something to people. I still believe badges are a symbol of peoples affection for the places/clubs they visit and as such have a place in the soul scene today.

ROY

[Alison H]

to your second question i would say with out a doubt the wilton allnighter anniversary badgers are the best I've ever seen imho johno

Here here Johno ! imo too

I thought what was a nice touch at the recent 17th anniversay was the complimentary c.d with the nice cover that had all the badges pictured on the front. Pure quality & quality musical content, just like the badges, imo.

Only thing was I saw the badges I hadn't got

I dont wear the badges as they'd only clash with my sequins & diamonds BUT they do take pride & place in my favourite jewellery box and they will continue to do so

[Guest WPaulVanDyk]

i love collecting and some of my fav's are from East Anglian soul clubs as it's my area.

still looking for an original Phoenix soul club one

[Rob Wigley]

We also have repo badges now and you can buy embodied badges from the internet.

Badges no longer mean anything.

Well said Simon

Both myself and Karen have Badges around the place tucked away in plastic bags from long lost all-nighters

(Mine are mainly Wigan Anniversary's Clifton Hall, Cleggy etc)

Karen's are Morecombe RSG events and loads of others from the 80's

All above have never been "sown on"-just kept!

Really a treasure trove for someone who -for whatever reason- would want to get their mits on to say "I was there" !!

One that I do hold special is the Keele 1st Anniversary all-nighter badge -which I DJ'd at-- and comes with a Silver bookmark which was done by Neil Clowes as a thank you to all those that DJ'd.

Anyone wishing to purchase a "Soul history in a bag-36 years worth--say you were there with original badges" package make offers over £25,000

and that price will also buy our silence

Be sad to see them go-but we'll keep our FRIENDS and great MEMORIES

Rob & Karen

[Guest bazabod_downunder]

I have no idea who first thought of them.......I'm sure it would be argued over as much as anything else do with the Northern scen.

I have a fair few, they are one of the only things I keep over the years getting rid of some equally or more important memorabilia.

Still collect them now from our Annual Aussie National, think my favourite from UK would be East Anglia Soul Club badge...also not very flash but a Bournemouth Soul Club badge (I have two) from here Perth 2008 national which I've attached, it mimics the TSOP label......I have also have some still left to sell from last years Nash....contact me off list if you want a gander or want one.

KTF

Baz

[Ritchieandrew]

The first mass produced ones I saw were when the Torch All-nighters took off but in Manchester some kids would go to the Wheel around 1970 with something of a uniform - Brutus short sleeve check shirt with small button and turned up hem on sleeves. Prince of Wales checked trousers, wing tip black brogues and a black blazer with a customised Twisted Wheel badge. These were often lavishly embroidered jobs that they had made at those old fashioned mens tailors that did regimental badges and ties.

The Twisted Wheel badges were also available at the Oasis Market in central M/CR in the downstairs section, at the end by the door, but as you rightly say a lot of people had them custom made. Later on there were custom made ones for the Blackpool Mecca, and I still have one.

Ricardo.

[Ian Parker]

one of my faves was the 'tweety pie' patch from tiff's in coalville , not forgetting the Mr M's patch (which is on my denim jacket). it means a lot to me so i'm certainly not afraid to wear it.

its not all nostalgia, i even have the recent Right Track (p'boro) and Monaco (wigan) patches

Ian

Edited March 13, 2010 by parkash

[Guest Jimmy Scriv]

I think somebody should publish a book with all the different badges in. I recently saw a record dealer selling Torch badges which

were obvious 'boots' as the stitching around the edge was different to the original badges yet he was selling as originals.

My favourite badge is the one I use as my avatar!

[Guest Dave Turner]

Got to agree with both yourself and Imber. Early 70s badges were quite good looking and meant something if worn with honesty. Didn't get to the Wheel and just missed the Torch by a couple of months so never wore those. Didn't like the original Casino badge so didn't get one. All of a sudden tacky looking (night owl for example) badges were coming out everywhere that had nowt to do with any clubs. As you say, at one time they were a good indicator of clubs one had at least visited.

I used to have an original Va-Va badge, shit looking badge but neat in it's own way.

Always like the Howard Mallett badge as well

[Ian Parker]

had my Howard Mallet patch since i was 15. must have got it when we went on one of Harrys' mini bus mystery tours

[Ian Parker]

The best Soul badge for me, would have to be the Wigan At Cleethorpes Patch

I dont wear patches, but i have this one on my Pinnafore Dress, as a dear friend left it to me , knowing how much i liked the two cute little owls design

Debbie x

Edited March 13, 2010 by parkash

[Guest WPaulVanDyk]

mmmm wouldn't mind Howard Mallett one.

my dad has the original Soul Ole patch from Stanground, not many of them made and it's great

[Guest]

The first mass produced ones I saw were when the Torch All-nighters took off but in Manchester some kids would go to the Wheel around 1970 with something of a uniform - Brutus short sleeve check shirt with small button and turned up hem on sleeves. Prince of Wales checked trousers, wing tip black brogues and a black blazer with a customised Twisted Wheel badge. These were often lavishly embroidered jobs that they had made at those old fashioned mens tailors that did regimental badges and ties.

Chris Burton was the first person to see the potential for sales of club / venue badges , with the ones he had produced for The Torch , and subsequently , The International Soul Club .

As you rightly state Keith , anyone who wore badges - i.e. at The Wheel - had them custom made at a bespoke tailors .

Malc Burton