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The Prestatyn Soul Weekender Returns

The Prestatyn Soul Weekender Returns magazine cover

The Prestatyn Soul Weekender Returns !

Following huge public demand, Pontins have announced the welcome return of the Prestatyn Soul weekender at their largest holiday camp at Prestatyn in North Wales over the weekend of March 8-10th 2013.

Between 2001 and 2011 the weekender was widely acclaimed as the leading event of it's kind and quickly became a national institution for soul devotees from Great Britain and beyond.

Every March, over 2000 like-minded souls made the annual pilgrimage to the North Wales coast the celebrate the best in Northern Soul, Motown, Modern and "crossover" soul as played by many of the UK's top DJs.

Following the last event (the 10th anniversary) in March 2011, the Prestatyn site was taken over by the Britannia group who have now invested heavily in upgrading the accommodation and the entertainment venues.

With thousands of new beds now in situe, as well as new flooring in many apartments plus an additional 80 top of the range "club" apartments available, comfort as well as an untouchable array of great soul music is now guaranteed at Prestatyn.

With "recession -busting" great value pricing set for the re-launch weekender ( prices start from as little as £29 per person for 3 nights self-catering!) demand is set to exceed capacity for this event.

Looking back, in addition to a well-respected list of DJs representing soul clubs from all parts of the UK, what really set Prestatyn apart from the rest was the exclusive live artists they were able to attract - and in March 2013 it will be another jaw-dropping act to savour - The Vibrations!

The 4 man group flying in exclusively to appear at the event and are itching to get on stage and to see Prestatyn rock to 2000+ people singing along to their many dancefloor anthems including" Gonna get along without you" , " ' Cause you're mine" and " Surprise Party for Baby"!

Carl Fisher, lead singer of The Vibrations says about their forthcoming visit :

" I want to take the time to thank in advance all the fans of Northern Soul music and the people of England for making it possible for us to come over and perform for all of you. I remember my first time coming over there in the sixties and how we were made to feel welcome in your country. At that time we were backed by a great band who went on to become "The Moody Blues". We played at The Twisted Wheel and The Cavern Club and many other venues and had a good time. We are looking forward to singing "'Cause you 're mine" , "Shake it up", "Surprise party for baby" and "Ain't nothing but a houseparty" ( which I wrote for my good friend Earl Smith of the Showstoppers), who will also be there with us. It is because of people like you who have kept the music alive and make it possible for us to still be doing what we enjoy. We will see you all in March.

Sincerely, Carl Fisher ( the original lead singer of the Vibrations, The Jay Hawks and The Marathons)"

In addition to an exciting live act that will be sure to pull in a huge audience, there are five separate venues covering classic Northern , Motown and Modern soul as well as specialist sessions for lovers of 70s "crossover" soul, 60s RnB and " Rarest of the rare" All Nighter sounds.

Appointed to select the DJs and schedule the entertainment on site is a man who was very involved with Prestatyn the first time around - John Poole. John says : " To have Prestatyn back is a dream come true. With a site that has undergone a huge refurbishment , a mind-blowing headline act direct from America, and a great DJ line-up to cater for all tastes. Add to that the incredible value accommodation deals that are on offer , and I m certain the hundreds who regularly tell me how much they miss Prestatyn are going to be highly delighted at this great news. Britannia have taken their time, made the right improvements to the accommodation and are determined to retain the best elements of the "old Prestatyn" , but to also make the necessary improvements to ensure that the 2013 weekender experience will be the best one yet".

Britannia's event sales manager Lucas Czarnecki commented: " Due to repeated enquiries and questions from the public it has been decided to resurrect the Prestatyn Northern and Modern soul weekender as it's one of the most iconic and successful events in Pontins 65-year history. After long discussions and many meetings we have compiled a team of experienced, passionate and dedicated consultants as well as a top line up of DJs - people who truly dedicated their lives and careers to establishing and preserving the Northern Soul scene in the UK. We are happy to organise this event again and welcome the UK soul scene back in North Wales. We hope our efforts in restoring Prestatyn's accommodation combined with the great value relaunch pricing and a most exceptional and exclusive American live act will put Prestatyn Soul Weekender on the UK map for years to come"

For further details, The Prestatyn Soul weekender has a new, regularly updated website : www.prestatynsoulweekender.co.uk, plus a dedicated e mail address info@prestatynsoulweekender.co.uk, or follow via Twitter : UKsoulweekenders

Bookings for Prestatyn 2013 are being taken now via www.pontins.com or by phone on 0844 576 5949 / 01745 881800 .

When booking please quote reference no: NSP1

Info via John Poole



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Great news at last ....... a good weekender that features great live acts !!

Just got to get back into the swing of things and maybe (as a 60's UK covers group said) ...

... ........ they'll be ...... BRINGING ON BACK THE GOOD TIMES

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Pip,just make sure you get four wristbands and sell two or six an sell four,I'll buy 2 off ya.

Can't remember the charges last time?

Only one live act?

Chalets refurbished?

Just curious?

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this is fantastic news and who better than Pooley to be part of the event's organisation what a great desision by Pontins (they must have realised bar taking's were down !!!) regards S.

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Make us have it John

Jesus Gilly have we got to get smashed again mate ah well kisses to your sweet girl my man , Simon.

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John Poole and the promotions team should be applauded for all the hard work behind the scenes with this mammoth task and also the Brittania Group for listening....

Well done to all,,,,,,

Sure the camp has it faults ,,, but my god that what made the place too,,,, lol

Roll on March 2013

N x

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The Pull Of Prestatyn

My first venture back into the soul scene happened in March 2009. After much convincing by my mate Jarv I felt it was time to dip a toe back into the soul scene which had lain dormant in my life for a good few years. So he convinced me and in turn I convinced my partner Jill that this would be a great thing to do.

Now at the time Jill had never experienced the soul scene though she was aware of it through my recounting of my tales of youth long gone. So getting Jill to agree to put her young daughter into the care of her parents for a couple of nights took some effort but eventually commitment was made and we journeyed our way down to the North Wales seaside town on a cold and grey Friday afternoon.

I was full of anticipation. We only knew a few people if any, would Jill enjoy it or would we come away wishing we had done something else instead.

We spent two days locked away from the rest of the world in a capsule of great music and fantastic people. Music poured out of every nook and cranny. In the main rooms, from the radio, and from the open doors and windows of neighbouring chalets. It seeped into every pore and into my very being. I fell in love with the Rich Red Redemption Room in particular. I bought myself a T shirt with a badge. Why oh why I do not know, baggy trousers and cloth badges are not me at all so it's sits in my wardrobe rarely worn. I'm not a big subscriber to a soul or mod uniform but that's just me. But being able to meander through the record stalls and clothing and memorabilia stalls was a new experience to me.

We slept on the most uncomfortable beds known to man, crashing out in the early hours of the morning. We enjoyed having a big dirty fry up breakfast on Saturday to cure our hangovers then meandering into the main room to listen to the live acts rehearsing. This is still my favourite part of the event, what a way to enjoy your food and chill a little after 4 hours sleep.

I took photos on a little camera and Jill whispered to me "you know what Martyn, someone needs to document this now before it's all gone forever". With those words began a love affair with my camera and my own undying obsession of trying to capture every moment and to show everyone on this modern day scene of ours just how wonderful it is, captured in time forever. Party time on Saturday night with live bands and by 4 am Sunday morning we hit our beds ready for a 10am start home on Sunday.

We left Sunday morning, waved goodbye to Jarv and Tracie and Carn and left them to a further day's fun. On the way home we sat in silent contemplation for a while, a massive comedown was in the air. That weekend we both shared and experienced something special and we knew it. The great sense of envy, knowing there was another day to go and we couldn't share it or enjoy it was just about unbearable and at that moment we vowed to go on our new journey into soul together. And we have ever since.

Pontins at Prestatyn Sands may not be the most luxurious venue in the world, there may be better "quality" weekenders out there as I heard mention lately. But that depends on how you define quality and what you're looking for. But for me Prestatyn will always hold a special place in my heart and be the best weekender in the calendar.

Well done to John Poole for dogged persistence in getting this one back on the map. You can bet your bottom dollar we will be there.

Prestatyn Here We Come

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Make us have it John

Never forget that Thursday afternoon rehearsal by the Precisions hey Gilly the first time they appeared sent shivers n goose bumps down our spines awesome memory all the money in the World could,nt buy Roll on March 2013

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never been.....booked for next year...thought we better see what all the fuss was about...

know the campsite stuff though dj'd at hemsby and camber for the last 4 years or so...much the same i should imagine...camber has had a face lift too and we will be in the soul room in 2 weeks!

dean

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What great news .... really looking forward to the return of this Flagship weekender ..... and looking forward to seeing the Vibrating Vibrations ..... Been humming Cause Your Mine all bloody day....... lol only 9 months to go.... Bring it on.. B.

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Brilliant news! just rung to book but i need to either have 4 more people sharing with me and ann to get the £29 each deal or 2 more sharing with us to get it at £49 per person :) else just me and missis in 1 bed apartment is £198 :(

So anyone wanna share?

Yes...am up for it mate....and i cook as well....does that swing in my favour???.....Delxxxxx

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Had 3 txt's in 10 minutes today about this.Would be a shame not to.I missed the stiff breeze around my ears this March - and that was just in the chalets.

The Mansfield Deliverance Club will be in attendance. :thumbsup:

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Great news been to the last 7 was a big let down not being on in March 2012 so Pontins/Britania Prestatyn seen the error in their ways and no jingling tills.

Gaz

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Brilliant its back wonder if richard searling will do a northern spot as well,always been my favourite dj.

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Well well well May have to round the "possy" up

Had a fantastic 10yrs there and fun you bet your sorry ass lol

Julie x

P.s Well done John for you persistant pestering :-)

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Great news at last ....... a good weekender that features great live acts !!

Just got to get back into the swing of things and maybe (as a 60's UK covers group said) ...

... ........ they'll be ...... BRINGING ON BACK THE GOOD TIMES

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this will be a good one , they have to catch up on the one theymissed...i thought it would return, its too much money for pontins to miss out on ..

best weekender ever i think ..

well done to kev roberts and co ..

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Shaz, will be great if its back to the oldish set up ....................we shall have to see :wicked:

Going to see who wants to go and book .................Will try it and see :thumbsup:

Julie x

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Shaz, will be great if its back to the oldish set up ....................we shall have to see :wicked:

Going to see who wants to go and book .................Will try it and see :thumbsup:

Julie x

I never got to this one Julie , heard so many good things about it though , was all set to do this years and then it was cancelled :ohmy:

Will have to try it though .....rally the troops ! :thumbup:

Shazz

x

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this will be a good one , they have to catch up on the one theymissed...i thought it would return, its too much money for pontins to miss out on ..

best weekender ever i think ..

well done to kev roberts and co ..

Who?

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Could Smoothwasson and any other mishief makers please remove my/our name..,.we are NOT the promoters of the Prestatyn Soul Weekender.

Good luck to Pontins. All the best to John Poole. End of story.

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Could Smoothwasson and any other mishief makers please remove my/our name..,.we are NOT the promoters of the Prestatyn Soul Weekender.

Good luck to Pontins. All the best to John Poole. End of story.

Thanx for posting Kev, things a bit clearer to me now

Regards

Julie

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Could Smoothwasson and any other mishief makers please remove my/our name..,.we are NOT the promoters of the Prestatyn Soul Weekender.

Good luck to Pontins. All the best to John Poole. End of story.

Could Smoothwasson and any other mishief makers please remove my/our name..,.we are NOT the promoters of the Prestatyn Soul Weekender.

Good luck to Pontins. All the best to John Poole. End of story.

Kev,don't think I would accuse people of mischeif making myself,looks to me more like Smoothwasson didn't read mike's link properly,IMHO of course :yes:

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Why all the cloak and dagger over promoter richard will do a great job,and john knows prestatyn better than anyone,

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