Guest smudgesmith Posted June 7, 2011 Posted June 7, 2011 THE PETERBOROUGH EFFECT As most olde soulies who are addicted to Northern Soul I was first introduced to our wonderful music via the local Youth Club, in my case Westwood. During the late 60's I looked forward to the Friday/Saturday night Discoth¨ques, cropped hair, Prince of Wales check Harrington's, Levi Stay press and Cherry Red Loafers all part of growing up on one of Peterborough's toughest estates. It was Desmond Decker, Dave & Ansill Collins, Symarip to most though I seemed attracted to the older lads preferred musical tastes of Homer Banks, Doris Troy, JJ Jackson, Archie Bell, The Impressions their acrobatic dancing and their talk of clubs "upt north" excited me...I was hooked and I suppose I have been ever since. During the late 60's early 70's Clubs such as Peterborough's CLOUD NINE were a platform for many youngsters to venture to the TWISTED WHEEL MANCHESTER - THE LANTERN MK'T HARBORO - THE CENTRAL LEEDS or as in my case BLETSOE BEDFORD, Cloud Nine without doubt made a major contribution toward what is now one of the most respected areas for Rare Soul collectors and fans alike. During the 70's numerous venues in and around the City opened their doors to this new sound that was sweeping the country, no longer was it confined to the North those from the south who had been traveling were bringing this wonderful music south in our case East and it all kicked off big time. I have some fond memories of venues in the City such as THE SOUL 'OLE (Stanground), THE SOUL CELLAR, THE CAROUSEL CLUB, THE SPINNING WHEEL and THE CELLAR BAR STAMFORD. To comment on all the above clubs would be unfair as each one made a significant contributions to the Northern Soul Scene in Peterborough however THE CAROUSEL CLUB @ THE WIRRINA was the catalyst for scores of Peterborough youngsters to be introduced to the Northern Sound CAROUSEL CLUB-WIRRINA - PETERBOROUGH I first attended this venue in 1971, a Tuesday night and the venue was Soul Dance across the board, Pete Edwards and Ian Freeman worked together to keep the Northern Soul fraternity happy. The evening became so popular that 500 plus people attended and to be honest if you got there after 8pm you didn't get in, so much was the success of "The Tuesday nights" that The Wirrina opened the doors Sunday night for a purely Northern Soul evening. The Wirrina was synonymous with Northern Soul so it seemed perfectly in order to ask Andy Giles the Manager if we could have an all-nighter, to cut a very long story short permission was granted and we planned our first Phoenix Soul Club all nighter for March 7th 1975...I remember Andy Giles asking us how many we were expecting "no more than 300" was my reply the surprise of seeing over 200 waiting to get in ONE HOUR before we had opened the doors, I WAS PETRIFIED, over a 1000 came in through the doors that night and our regular 1st Friday every month all nighters attracted massive crowds. Resident D'j's included Gary (Spena) Spencer, Steve (Jonah) Jones, Andy (Smudge) and likkle ole me, Paul Donnelly, we were later joined by Tony Dellar and John Vincent, the word was filtering through to the North of England about this venue and Jocks such as Searling, Curtis, Levine, Evison etc all made visits to the club as well as many Live acts such as Billy Butler, Major Lance and not forgetting the Exciters which packed nearly 2000 into two rooms. It was a truly wonderful experience and it would be fair to say that the Wirrina/Phoenix All Nighters never received the attention that it's illustrious counterparts in the North were receiving indeed a number of tunes perceived as "Bigun's from Wigan" were in actual fact discovered and played by 3 spotty faced kids from Stanground Peterborough sometimes weeks before they were ever played at The Casino. Our close proximity to Anderson at Soul Bowl ensured a steady stream of 'newies' which we took great delight in playing when Searling and the other big names came to town, there's not a drug in the world that can give you a buzz like Richard Searling walking over to the decks to cast his beady eye over something that he has never heard before, "yes!!!!" The Phoenix Nighter came to abrupt end in 1976 when councilors were concerned about several issues, announced on the day of the monthly all nighter that "tonight is your last one guys" a week earlier we had signed a contract with Betty Wrights UK agents, she was flying over to the UK for two shows one at Wigan on the Saturday and one in Peterborough on the Friday, Betty Wrights agent insisted on full payment under the terms and conditions of the contract and despite a battle with the local authorities we agreed a payment of £1000 to Betty Wright. That last all-nighter was an eventful evening as Dave Mindham one of the co promoters insisted that no one should be told that it was the last one as pre ticket sales for Betty Wright had been received and he was not in a position to refund that night, however the other guys thought different and at 3am I was given the microphone to advise that this was the last ever Phoenix All-Nighter, it was a very emotional 5 mins and when I had finished the crowd stamped and clapped in what I perceived as appreciation of our honesty after all we were just simple folk who played the bloody records. I had so many people come up to me over the next two hours shaking hands etc it was quite humbling, and then at 6.30 I was asked if I would do the last hour......no problem guys, as we drew nearer 8.00am I thought what the f**k do I play last record when Mandy Sellars from Boston came on stage and just gave me a hug and whispered "play Bobby Hutton last record" I did and every time I hear that record now it brings a lump to my throat. The City Council advised us that Northern Soul all-nighters would never be granted a license within the City, ho ho ho ho on to the glorious Fleet which although within the City boundaries was South of the River and under some forgotten bye law within Huntingdonshire someone :~) approached the Fleet Committee, they agreed but strangely we didn't do anything but some guys did some 3 years later and from what they tell me it was as the Pheonix a well respected nighter. Today the City has its fair share of activity such as the Right Track Soul Club pulling them in from far a field, it gives me an enormous amount of self satisfaction that a silly idea I had to run an all-nighter in Peterborough 30 years ago has been built on and despite what others across the UK tell you, we in Peterborough have done our bit, and for that everyone of us should feel proud to be 'Boro' Keep on Keeping on. Regards Paul Donnelly JUST COME ACROSS THIS HOPE YOU DONT MIND PAUL?
Guest Posted June 8, 2011 Posted June 8, 2011 THE PETERBOROUGH EFFECT As most olde soulies who are addicted to Northern Soul I was first introduced to our wonderful music via the local Youth Club, in my case Westwood. During the late 60's I looked forward to the Friday/Saturday night Discoth¨ques, cropped hair, Prince of Wales check Harrington's, Levi Stay press and Cherry Red Loafers all part of growing up on one of Peterborough's toughest estates. It was Desmond Decker, Dave & Ansill Collins, Symarip to most though I seemed attracted to the older lads preferred musical tastes of Homer Banks, Doris Troy, JJ Jackson, Archie Bell, The Impressions their acrobatic dancing and their talk of clubs "upt north" excited me...I was hooked and I suppose I have been ever since. During the late 60's early 70's Clubs such as Peterborough's CLOUD NINE were a platform for many youngsters to venture to the TWISTED WHEEL MANCHESTER - THE LANTERN MK'T HARBORO - THE CENTRAL LEEDS or as in my case BLETSOE BEDFORD, Cloud Nine without doubt made a major contribution toward what is now one of the most respected areas for Rare Soul collectors and fans alike. During the 70's numerous venues in and around the City opened their doors to this new sound that was sweeping the country, no longer was it confined to the North those from the south who had been traveling were bringing this wonderful music south in our case East and it all kicked off big time. I have some fond memories of venues in the City such as THE SOUL 'OLE (Stanground), THE SOUL CELLAR, THE CAROUSEL CLUB, THE SPINNING WHEEL and THE CELLAR BAR STAMFORD. To comment on all the above clubs would be unfair as each one made a significant contributions to the Northern Soul Scene in Peterborough however THE CAROUSEL CLUB @ THE WIRRINA was the catalyst for scores of Peterborough youngsters to be introduced to the Northern Sound CAROUSEL CLUB-WIRRINA - PETERBOROUGH I first attended this venue in 1971, a Tuesday night and the venue was Soul Dance across the board, Pete Edwards and Ian Freeman worked together to keep the Northern Soul fraternity happy. The evening became so popular that 500 plus people attended and to be honest if you got there after 8pm you didn't get in, so much was the success of "The Tuesday nights" that The Wirrina opened the doors Sunday night for a purely Northern Soul evening. The Wirrina was synonymous with Northern Soul so it seemed perfectly in order to ask Andy Giles the Manager if we could have an all-nighter, to cut a very long story short permission was granted and we planned our first Phoenix Soul Club all nighter for March 7th 1975...I remember Andy Giles asking us how many we were expecting "no more than 300" was my reply the surprise of seeing over 200 waiting to get in ONE HOUR before we had opened the doors, I WAS PETRIFIED, over a 1000 came in through the doors that night and our regular 1st Friday every month all nighters attracted massive crowds. Resident D'j's included Gary (Spena) Spencer, Steve (Jonah) Jones, Andy (Smudge) and likkle ole me, Paul Donnelly, we were later joined by Tony Dellar and John Vincent, the word was filtering through to the North of England about this venue and Jocks such as Searling, Curtis, Levine, Evison etc all made visits to the club as well as many Live acts such as Billy Butler, Major Lance and not forgetting the Exciters which packed nearly 2000 into two rooms. It was a truly wonderful experience and it would be fair to say that the Wirrina/Phoenix All Nighters never received the attention that it's illustrious counterparts in the North were receiving indeed a number of tunes perceived as "Bigun's from Wigan" were in actual fact discovered and played by 3 spotty faced kids from Stanground Peterborough sometimes weeks before they were ever played at The Casino. Our close proximity to Anderson at Soul Bowl ensured a steady stream of 'newies' which we took great delight in playing when Searling and the other big names came to town, there's not a drug in the world that can give you a buzz like Richard Searling walking over to the decks to cast his beady eye over something that he has never heard before, "yes!!!!" The Phoenix Nighter came to abrupt end in 1976 when councilors were concerned about several issues, announced on the day of the monthly all nighter that "tonight is your last one guys" a week earlier we had signed a contract with Betty Wrights UK agents, she was flying over to the UK for two shows one at Wigan on the Saturday and one in Peterborough on the Friday, Betty Wrights agent insisted on full payment under the terms and conditions of the contract and despite a battle with the local authorities we agreed a payment of £1000 to Betty Wright. That last all-nighter was an eventful evening as Dave Mindham one of the co promoters insisted that no one should be told that it was the last one as pre ticket sales for Betty Wright had been received and he was not in a position to refund that night, however the other guys thought different and at 3am I was given the microphone to advise that this was the last ever Phoenix All-Nighter, it was a very emotional 5 mins and when I had finished the crowd stamped and clapped in what I perceived as appreciation of our honesty after all we were just simple folk who played the bloody records. I had so many people come up to me over the next two hours shaking hands etc it was quite humbling, and then at 6.30 I was asked if I would do the last hour......no problem guys, as we drew nearer 8.00am I thought what the f**k do I play last record when Mandy Sellars from Boston came on stage and just gave me a hug and whispered "play Bobby Hutton last record" I did and every time I hear that record now it brings a lump to my throat. The City Council advised us that Northern Soul all-nighters would never be granted a license within the City, ho ho ho ho on to the glorious Fleet which although within the City boundaries was South of the River and under some forgotten bye law within Huntingdonshire someone :~) approached the Fleet Committee, they agreed but strangely we didn't do anything but some guys did some 3 years later and from what they tell me it was as the Pheonix a well respected nighter. Today the City has its fair share of activity such as the Right Track Soul Club pulling them in from far a field, it gives me an enormous amount of self satisfaction that a silly idea I had to run an all-nighter in Peterborough 30 years ago has been built on and despite what others across the UK tell you, we in Peterborough have done our bit, and for that everyone of us should feel proud to be 'Boro' Keep on Keeping on. Regards Paul Donnelly JUST COME ACROSS THIS HOPE YOU DONT MIND PAUL? Paul and all those connected / concerned with the Peterborough scene , have good reason to feel proud of the highly creditable contribution it made to the NS scene . Malc
spike1 Posted June 8, 2011 Posted June 8, 2011 Sounds a great early scene went to a few fleet nighters circa 77/78?? Reslly good crowd If I remember wasn't thee an oldies room that was as dark as foook with big thick blackout style curtains ?? Or am I wrong?? Used to travel from Chesterfield to the Britt Nottingham then go either Peterborough or coaville depending on where the notts crew were going Spike
Sheep Posted June 8, 2011 Posted June 8, 2011 Went to the first night at Peterborough and as Paul descibed it, it was packed and a brilliant night was had.
Guest roggert Posted June 8, 2011 Posted June 8, 2011 (edited) hi there was always a strong contingent of lads from peterboro back as far as 1965 going to allniters up here in sheffield at stringfellows mojo ,many were real characters and a source of "pep pills" as many of their girlfriends worked in the pharmacutical industry ,somenames toots being the most flambouyant, big sean, little sean, evil eddie, phil g.dodger,arthur cadman and loads more, Edited June 8, 2011 by roggert
Guest Posted June 9, 2011 Posted June 9, 2011 hi there was always a strong contingent of lads from peterboro back as far as 1965 going to allniters up here in sheffield at stringfellows mojo ,many were real characters and a source of "pep pills" as many of their girlfriends worked in the pharmacutical industry ,somenames toots being the most flambouyant, big sean, little sean, evil eddie, phil g.dodger,arthur cadman and loads more, Now that is a name for recreational enjoyment I have not heard for donkeys Malc
spike1 Posted June 9, 2011 Posted June 9, 2011 Pep pils from peterbourgh? Sounds like a tongue twister to me Allegedly there was a similar situation with the notts crowd in the seventies Soulies working for the company that seems to always have a three for two offer
Guest smudgesmith Posted June 9, 2011 Posted June 9, 2011 Pep pils from peterbourgh? Sounds like a tongue twister to me Allegedly there was a similar situation with the notts crowd in the seventies Soulies working for the company that seems to always have a three for two offer Bit like Tesco then!! but did they give(Soul) club card points?
Guest Posted June 9, 2011 Posted June 9, 2011 Bit like Tesco then!! but did they give(Soul) club card points? No , but they were considering using the slogan " Every Little Block Helps " Malc
Pauldonnelly Posted June 9, 2011 Posted June 9, 2011 Andy, I have no problem with you posting some stuff I wrote many years ago, question is why post it now here right now?
Guest smudgesmith Posted June 9, 2011 Posted June 9, 2011 Andy, I have no problem with you posting some stuff I wrote many years ago, question is why post it now here right now? Came across it some weeks ago.Decided to tidy up some files,thought how good it was and just decided to share it
Guest smudgesmith Posted June 9, 2011 Posted June 9, 2011 (edited) Whoops Edited June 9, 2011 by smudgesmith
Pauldonnelly Posted June 10, 2011 Posted June 10, 2011 Came across it some weeks ago.Decided to tidy up some files,thought how good it was and just decided to share it Ok.... Give my regards to everyone tonight, work load means I ain't going to get home until 9ish and the lads are out on the pop from 6-30 @ the fenman...
macca Posted June 11, 2011 Posted June 11, 2011 must have read this a dozen times but it still puts a smile on my boat. I was there at the birth of the Phoenix, I'm proud to say. When things moved onto the Fleet in 1978, it wasn't quite the same as most of us had already transferred our allegiance to St.Ives by early 77. Plus the Fleet was, for a period, plagued by yobs preying on Soul folk for some reason. Verballing in those warm brick kilns was always interesting though.
Guest roggert Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 Now that is a name for recreational enjoyment I have not heard for donkeys Malc my god but i m getting old cos i used to buy purple hearts in half grain weight before the milligrams/mgs were brought in to general use in mid sixties an bought them 4 for a shilling-3d each to pre decimal readers 1 an half new pence each to our younger readers (patronising basterd/or pissed again?)
Suinoz Posted June 30, 2011 Posted June 30, 2011 G'Day Paul, Yep mate " RIGHT ON " the Wirrina was the place that gave me my first taste of Northern Soul and got me hooked on this wonderful / friendly scene we have today. I remember my first jaunt to the Wirrina like it was yesterday. Martin Allpress from Walton, a lad i worked with suggested i come along one Tuesday night to see what all the fuss was about. So i turned up dressed in my 2 piece green suit bought from Prince Albert, brutus shirt and a white tie with the BIGGEST bloody knot, oh and white and brown stack soled shoes. Walked in and thought ' Shit ' what the fook am i doing here dressed like a right twat, seeing everyone in baggies, capped teeshirts and doing some brilliant dancing. Martin just looked across at me and i could tell what he was thinking !!!!!!!!!!! I had a chat with him just a couple of weeks ago and we had a laugh about that very same night cos it's burned into both our memories. Anyway that was it for me, TOTALLY HOOKED. Went home stuffed the suit in the dustbin then went to Derby indoor market on the Saturday and bougtht my first pair of baggies and a couple of bowling shirts. Only thing to do then was learn the dance. Had some fantastic nights at the Wirrina, loved it when it was in the gymnasium. From there went on to places like Wigan, Cleethorpes, Kettering, St. Ives, Notts Palais etc. Like you say mate the Wirrina deserves it's rightful place in the history of Northern Soul. It was groundbreaking at the time and who would have thought little ole' Peterborough would stamp it's mark as it did. We as Boro boy's alway's tended to think outside the square and Stanground in particular had it's fair share of Soulies and record collectors. Spenna probably had the best record collection in the U.K. at one stage. Oh forgot to mention the Cresset soul nights of later years when you and Spenna deejayed. Great venue and there should be more happening there today. As you know mate i now live in Australia, keeping the flame burning with my own monthly soul night that has been going for over 6 years. Still love to come back to old blighty to catch up with ' me mates '. Stay soulful Paul. Will see you in September for my usual cup of coffee and a natter at your Whittlesey gaff. Till then A.T.B. Tony T Bone Edgley, ex Stanground, now Perth, W.A. K.T.F.
Coops Posted June 30, 2011 Posted June 30, 2011 never did like the fleet much, went when there was nothing else on, but the room to me (even when full) never hit the atmosphere sweet spot. loved wirrina, went from first to last (in the ballroom NOT the sports hall). wasn't the same when coxy took the name and eventually took the venue, even worse when those kids took the sports hall over in early 80s, the place was well past any credibility by then. but in it's early days......... it was like having the casino ten miles from your doorstep (with me coming from Stamford), in fact, it was better.
Neal Bull Posted June 30, 2011 Posted June 30, 2011 THEY WERE THE BEST TIMES IN MY LIFE I SHALL NEVER FORGET THE FIRST ALNIGHTER AT THE WARRINA, FANTASTIC. BEST. NEAL BULL. PETERBOROUGH.
westrex Posted June 30, 2011 Posted June 30, 2011 hi paul, couldn't agree more. There has always been a large following of soulies from BEDS,CAMBS, HERTS, BUCKS and NORTHANTS right from day 1, for us in Bedford, we've always had to drive long distances to attend allniters etc, so it was a god send when clubs such as the phoenix/ wirrina stadium and the fleet centre had soul nites & niters on a regular basis as they only took about 40 minutes to get to by car, and were professionally organised. Tony Warot.
Guest Dave Turner Posted June 30, 2011 Posted June 30, 2011 thanks Tony.. Ok, I've got the others but who's the Paul bloke ?
Pauldonnelly Posted June 30, 2011 Posted June 30, 2011 (edited) no idea Edited June 30, 2011 by PaulDonnelly
Guest Posted June 30, 2011 Posted June 30, 2011 Ok, I've got the others but who's the Paul bloke ? Must have been important , because he was higher on the bill than JV and SS . Malc
Guest Dave Turner Posted June 30, 2011 Posted June 30, 2011 Must have been important , because he was higher on the bill than JV and SS . Malc Ticket's £2 from the Wirrina, Harry Fentons Lambs of Huntingdon
Guest Posted July 1, 2011 Posted July 1, 2011 Ticket's £2 from the Wirrina, Harry Fentons Lambs of Huntingdon I know well of what the Harry Fenton chain did , but what sort of establishment was Lambs ? Back in the late 70s , I once did ticket sales for a regular monthly night I ran via a shoe shop and a butchers . Malc
Guest Posted July 2, 2011 Posted July 2, 2011 (edited) its me dining room actually Pray tell me what sort of establishment was Lambs , and why did you choose them to sell tickets Paul ? Malc Edited July 2, 2011 by Malc Burton
Pauldonnelly Posted July 2, 2011 Posted July 2, 2011 Pray tell me what sort of establishment was Lambs , and why did you choose them to sell tickets Paul : I am still intigued ....... Malc It was a music shop Malc
Guest Posted July 3, 2011 Posted July 3, 2011 It was a music shop Malc Very similar outlets then Mr D : Harry Fenton's covered up organs , whilst Lambs had them on display . Malc
westrex Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 Hi paul, we seem to live parallel lives mate, your early experiences are exactly the same as mine. tony warot.
westrex Posted July 18, 2011 Posted July 18, 2011 l think we are a unique breed, wouldn't change a thing tony warot
Pauldonnelly Posted December 13, 2011 Posted December 13, 2011 the soul cellar behind Boots...remember the night we nearly burnt it down? who are ya who are ya who are ya
Guest smudgesmith Posted December 13, 2011 Posted December 13, 2011 (edited) the soul cellar behind Boots...remember the night we nearly burnt it down? who are ya who are ya who are ya Think Jonah had something to do with the fire............eh Jonah!!! Edited December 13, 2011 by smudgesmith
Recommended Posts
Get involved with Soul Source
Add your comments now
Join Soul Source
A free & easy soul music affair!
Join Soul Source now!Log in to Soul Source
Jump right back in!
Log in now!