Wigan Bashers

[KevH]

Oh dear.

 

Looks like I had my rose-tinted Wigan Beer Goggles on again last night.

 

Shame.

 

I'd been so well behaved of late too.

 

Apart from getting thrown across some tables .

Barry,what about folks who went before the "back end of Wigan".Dont they count.?

[Barry]

Apart from getting thrown across some tables .

Barry,what about folks who went before the "back end of Wigan".Dont they count.?

 

The reason I use backenders as my example is due to the amount of quality (in my opinion) newies from all eras that got played at that time, in that place - it possibly stretched the patience of some but set up some major excitement musically which I think made people want to travel to other venues after Wigan closed.

 

It was a pivotal period.

[Zed1]

 

Went! wish I'd £1 for every time you mention "the fancy dress crowd" would now be a rich man. end of.

 

As the saying goes,  If you can't do the time.............

[Roburt]

Wigan Casino ........ was closed down in 1981 under pressure from the police and the local authority as drugs gangs had the venue in its grip.

Copied from .....  https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Lost-Tribes-Leicestershire-Northern-Soul/story-12027767-detail/story.html#axzz2hc4JfQsC

[Guest gordon russell]

1973 ....1977......

[Steve G]

Wigan Casino ........ was closed down in 1981 under pressure from the police and the local authority as drugs gangs had the venue in its grip.

Copied from .....  https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Lost-Tribes-Leicestershire-Northern-Soul/story-12027767-detail/story.html#axzz2hc4JfQsC

 

Tosh!

[SHEFFSOUL]

I suspect that most of the Wigan bashers never actually went..as I'd just missed out on the Torch i was determined to visit the Casino and was a regular from early '74, out of all the niters Cats,Cleethorpes, Wirrina, Samanthas, etc Wigan was by far the best..and you can include the Mecca,Notts Palais and evrything else up to i think mid to end of '76.It played its fair share of crappy sounds but it had atmosphere..and nothing came close.I think personally 74/75 bore the biggest and most imporant northern soul sounds ever, and Wigan did its fair share to promote them.For a short time i think it was perfect, and as time wore on became less so, inevitable..if it hadnt got snarled up in the disco/modern or new type sounds and continued with more rare and traditional northern ( as per Searlings later stuff) there would be no argument. When it drifted away from that and became full of 15 year old kids there on a bus/daytrip, i jacked it in..the glory days were over..but the great memories will fade but never die..as so with the great records played there.I often wonder why people slag it off so much..and also deride stuff like Footsie..it was massive at the time, you couldnt get on the floor!..a tad unpalatable now perhaps..and why do people hate the Frank Wilson record? its like the emperors new clothes..FFS..get some originality and find summat else to dislike...

Edited November 23, 2013 by SHEFFSOUL

[Quinvy]

I am the only person I have ever met who didn't go to Wigan. I knew it was big, but bloody hell?

[sir cumference]

Lots of people never got there-but a lot more said that they had!

 

The place to be!

[Reforee]

Great post.

Sometimes you need a debate/discussion about a subject, wether your for or against whatever the subject matter is.

Most of the posts on this topic I can agree with because they are all valid whether collectively or individually. I think that when someone or a body attack/diss something you love you can get very defensive and one sided attitude can spring to the fore.

I was there so I can comment, but The Casino had its good and bad points both musically and as memories, it does not stand alone for good and bad...........but like remembering when we were kids, we always remember hot summers, but I'm sure it rained sometime, but can't remember for sure if it did or not!

End of sermon

Dave H.

[Guest Byrney]

Anyone who would blanket slag Wigan off needs their bumps looking at - it was one of the most important nighters in taking the scene forward with new sounds. Although many who purport to have attended seem to have forgotten that.

I think many (not all) of those who went for two or three years, disappeared and then popped back recently do its legacy no favours - especially by focusing on a handful of records mainly played from 73 to 78.

There's also those that Son of Stan mentions: just take a butchers at Facebook groups like I Went To Wigan Casino and the indignant desperate cries from some who lets be honest dipped their toes into the scene. I left the group as it was a constant flow of "they can't take the memories from me" ( who are 'they' and why would they want to), "you don't know Northern Soul unless you went to t'casino" "young uns today know f%>€ all" "why weren't we the dancers in that there film" multi cliched 'snake' calibre posts... The Casino deserves so much more than that.

The back end that Barry mentions also tends not to get much of a look in - such an innovative and forward thinking period that set the scene for what followed. Searling, Rushbrook at that period .. Legendary and not much comes close to those spots IMO, before or after.

Due to my age I went once, to the last nighter so although experienced it and the atmosphere in a way, would consider myself not to really have been... Especially as it was oldies all night

Would give my left knacker to have been there when Searling spearheaded the Rennaisance.

[John A]

I'd have loved to have gone..but on account of me only being 11 (and obviously completely unaware of northern soul) when it shut it's doors I missed the boat

I kinda like the wigan bashers, but that's only cos it makes me feel better. sorry

A very jealous John.

Edited November 23, 2013 by John A

[Swifty]

Only went a few times , maybe 3 or 4 can't remember really as we went all over the place , used to go with Rob Thomas and he'd find me in town at one of the pubs about 11'ish and say 'C'mon we're off to Wigan' , so in the car I'd get , stop at the services for some Baked Beans for Rob    , get there and wait for a membership card to come under the side door for me (I Think ) go in and be totally engulfed but a bit weary , if you know what I mean.

 

Remember once , we'd been there about an hour and a half and Rob came and found me and said " C'mon we're off , this is shit"   , until the next time .

 

Hey , been there , will always remember it but not my favourite place , that's all

 

Swifty

[Guest Andy Kempster]

I have utmost respect for all Casino goers but to be completely honest it really does get pretty dull and cliche'd (?) hearing about it all the time.

 

I often hear comments of 'when I went to the Casino......' blah blah blah and I feel my ears and eyes glaze over. I'm not slagging it but come on it was 40 years ago, what about what is happening now?

 

Don't get me wrong, would I love to be able to say I went to the Casino, hell yeah! but get over it.

Is this a forward thinking scene looking for new music or is it just nostalgia? looks like it may all come back to that same old argument. We all have memories but that is all they are, and lots of those quite sketchy from all accounts (that's when I was listening...;o)

 

Anyway, I'm off to rock it at Shoom....t'ra

[Guest gordon russell]

I am the only person I have ever met who didn't go to Wigan. I knew it was big, but bloody hell?

Theres lot of things at nighters you didn,t/haven,t done mate.......oh well never mind    ........however you did run a damn good one

[Guest gordon russell]

I have utmost respect for all Casino goers but to be completely honest it really does get pretty dull and cliche'd (?) hearing about it all the time.

 

I often hear comments of 'when I went to the Casino......' blah blah blah and I feel my ears and eyes glaze over. I'm not slagging it but come on it was 40 years ago, what about what is happening now?

 

Don't get me wrong, would I love to be able to say I went to the Casino, hell yeah!

Just say ya did.......loads do

[Winsford Soul]

I suspect that most of the Wigan bashers never actually went..as I'd just missed out on the Torch i was determined to visit the Casino and was a regular from early '74, out of all the niters Cats,Cleethorpes, Wirrina, Samanthas, etc Wigan was by far the best..and you can include the Mecca,Notts Palais and evrything else up to i think mid to end of '76.It played its fair share of crappy sounds but it had atmosphere..and nothing came close.I think personally 74/75 bore the biggest and most imporant northern soul sounds ever, and Wigan did its fair share to promote them.For a short time i think it was perfect, and as time wore on became less so, inevitable..if it hadnt got snarled up in the disco/modern or new type sounds and continued with more rare and traditional northern ( as per Searlings later stuff) there would be no argument. When it drifted away from that and became full of 15 year old kids there on a bus/daytrip, i jacked it in..the glory days were over..but the great memories will fade but never die..as so with the great records played there.I often wonder why people slag it off so much..and also deride stuff like Footsie..it was massive at the time, you couldnt get on the floor!..a tad unpalatable now perhaps..and why do people hate the Frank Wilson record? its like the emperors new clothes..FFS..get some originality and find summat else to dislike...

I was a 16year old in 1975 when I first went the casino. That make me a tourist ? I stayed till 81 when it finally closed, then went everywhere else and still do. Am I still a tourist ?

Steve

[Guest Andy Kempster]

Just say ya did.......loads do

 

 

I will from now on Terry

Edited November 23, 2013 by Andy Kempster

[Triode]

I guess it's an "age" thing really when you are receptive to new interesting things ie. music, fashion, girls and clubs and you are also looking for your own identity,

For me it was initially seeing incredible dancers and thinking bloody hell wish I could do that ( never could!)

This led to listening to more and more of the music, for years only tried and tested oldies would do eventually attending a few of the monthly oldies allnighters and progressing to more upfront and more recent releases.....

When the collecting records thing gets you that's it nothing else compares your a "lifer" you can recall producers names and release dates but forget birthdays and anniversaries !!!

Great post Barry reflects your taste and passion and certainly got me thinking!

PS I also love the Chris Bartley/Van McCoy Acetate in fact just about anything by the man...

Triode

[SHEFFSOUL]

I was a 16year old in 1975 when I first went the casino. That make me a tourist ? I stayed till 81 when it finally closed, then went everywhere else and still do. Am I still a tourist ?

Steve

think your taking it out of context..many fans went to their first soul nights at a young age..and became long term fans..i'm referring to the types who went because it was easy because they jumped on a coach there and back, and because it was the 'in thing' to do..i know plenty..went a few times..never went anywhere else or put themselves out..took allniter bags with all the badges..never got into the scene or music with any passion..then jumped onto the next thing..prob punk..its a bit like a true footie fan..that goes week in week out..and to all the away games..gets into it..thats what i'm talking about..and then crawl out of the woodwork years later..i went to wigan..i was only 15..danced front of the stage..best mates with blah blah..then goes on to name a few classics..the ones who exaggerate their own involvement with the scene..its pathetic and gives me the pip..

[Sooty]

Morning all.

 

...cough....morning Barry!!!!!!x

@@

~

LUV

SOOTY

X

 

...never went........but when off me face of 5 dexies walking into Tony's Blackburn and dancing for 9 hours and stuff in '94......might have give me some sense of wot u all experienced i;d like to think!x Otherwise....i'm glad I didn't go....or i'd be dead methinks......!x I ended up in borstal '79 and prison till 1980.....so I was saved by the state....from getting in a state......on music from the States......hehe!!!x

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCJCCRuyT6s

[Ian Parker]

and why do people hate the Frank Wilson record? i...

I have no idea. Fabulous recording, perfect arrangement, wonderful song writing. It has it all ! Some Folk prefer bobby goldsboro , bob sinclar and mitch ryder i suppose.

[Pete S]

I have no idea. Fabulous recording, perfect arrangement, wonderful song writing. It has it all ! Some Folk prefer bobby goldsboro , bob sinclar and mitch ryder i suppose.

 

There can only be one reason for not liking it, surely - over familiarity.  Otherwise, it's got everything ingredient that makes up the perfect Northern Soul record.  Just imagine if you'd never heard it before, you'd jump off the balcony to get on the floor to it.  Or kind of hang over the balcony by your fingertips, ask the people below if they've got you and drop 5 feet into a safety net.  But then get on the floor!

[Billywhizz]

people who i have spoken to over the years still carry the scars of the early wigan days, so young and so naive, enough said, cheers billy

[ste gal 7]

only went about 5 times so i would put myself under the the tag of didnt go, but what i will say is the 5 times i did go i was amazed,cant believe somebody could go and not have a good night

[Patto]

I was 16 when it closed and never went.I had the chance to go during the last year but i was also massively into football and was having trials with a couple of clubs so all my attention went on playing and keeping fit for the weekends games. By the time i had started work it was all over and i did feel i had missed out big style.So much so i even made the trip in early 1982 just to gaze at the building.However My Northern Soul journey continued into Clifton Hall,Stafford,and other 80s/90s venues and i have had some fantastic nights.Most of the older soulies i grew up with Dropped out of the scene after Wigan shut and then came back recently on the retro revival wave.A lot of them are jealous of the times i have had after wigan and feel they are the ones who missed out on a further 20 years of the scene so there are different ways of looking at it.

[Chas]

I thought it was love muscle!..I'm a back scuttler by the way,thought I'd share that with the group.

[Guest manusf3a]

Just say ya did.......loads do

Along with the loads who now say they did it without taking gear and danced all night only stopping for a top up swig of lucozade and a bite of a mars bar

[Mark B]

I was 16 when it closed and never went.I had the chance to go during the last year but i was also massively into football and was having trials with a couple of clubs so all my attention went on playing and keeping fit for the weekends games. By the time i had started work it was all over and i did feel i had missed out big style.So much so i even made the trip in early 1982 just to gaze at the building.However My Northern Soul journey continued into Clifton Hall,Stafford,and other 80s/90s venues and i have had some fantastic nights.Most of the older soulies i grew up with Dropped out of the scene after Wigan shut and then came back recently on the retro revival wave.A lot of them are jealous of the times i have had after wigan and feel they are the ones who missed out on a further 20 years of the scene so there are different ways of looking at it.

Well put I went to Wigan from 1974 prettoften not every week also to the oldies all nighters as my mate loved them.I was more of a Blackpool Mecca boy, stopped doing soul nights and nighters in 1979/80. And started again in 1996, I have always felt I missed out on a lot. As the tunes played at all the later venues are what I wanted to hear not the same old stuff from my years. I have to say though I preferred cleethorpes to Wigan.

[Andyj]

Along with the loads who now say they did it without taking gear and danced all night only stopping for a top up swig of lucozade and a bite of a mars bar

Why do people not believe that some of us never took gear? I never had any spare cash for the stuff, was never inclined to start stealing to get some so did without, no I couldn't dance all night and yes used to have a nana nap around 4am but still got the buzz from being part of the scene

[Guest gordon russell]

I have no idea. Fabulous recording, perfect arrangement, wonderful song writing. It has it all ! Some Folk prefer bobby goldsboro , bob sinclar and mitch ryder i suppose.

Don,t think they really hate the record .....it,s just that it,s become synonymous with the commercial razzamatazz northern scene...thats the problem for me anyway.....ie  i,ll automatically  hate, anything they like.....because that side of the scene is the equivalent to the disco/pop  sh*te l escaped in the 70's    

[Mark B]

Why do people not believe that some of us never took gear? I never had any spare cash for the stuff, was never inclined to start stealing to get some so did without, no I couldn't dance all night and yes used to have a nana nap around 4am but still got the buzz from being part of the scene

I didn't bite on that post but like you never took gear because I didn't want to not couldn't afford it, also when I got back home about 12.00 am full breakfast and off to bed. Something you gear heads couldn't do lol

[Pete S]

I look back on Wigan as being three of the best years of my entire life.  Those nights couldn't ever be matched again.  I saw some terrible things too, I had a knife put to my throat in a mugging inside the Casino, I saw someone die on the car park to the left of the main doors, I saw someone beaten almost to death in the toilets and carried out on a stretcher, trouble  outside, and many times it felt like you were being crushed to death in that queue.  But I'd give away all of my possessions to have one night back there,.

I'd choose maybe February 1977.

[Zed1]

I look back on Wigan as being three of the best years of my entire life.  Those nights couldn't ever be matched again.  I saw some terrible things too, I had a knife put to my throat in a mugging inside the Casino, I saw someone die on the car park to the left of the main doors, I saw someone beaten almost to death in the toilets and carried out on a stretcher, trouble  outside, and many times it felt like you were being crushed to death in that queue.  But I'd give away all of my possessions to have one night back there,.

I'd choose maybe February 1977.

 

 

I never saw that much trouble inside in my 3 years Pete (77-80 ish). Got jumped outside one night by some lad who mistook me for someone who'd sold him bad gear. Had the obligatory bag nicked which I found behind the stage the following morning (empty). Sadly though, saw far too many people OD on downers the morning after.

 

I'd choose early 79 when Dickie did some of his best work.

Edited November 24, 2013 by Zed1

[Drewtg]

Wigan was appaling. The management treated everyone like cash cows. The DJ's played some insulting music for a so-called Soul Club. The place was a dump and Marshall et al never spent a red cent on anything. The vast majority of teenagers were off their box on amphetamines and in later years anything else that was to hand. If you didn't keep an eye on stuff it WOULD get nicked. All this is true.

I was a Soul fan before it was called Northern, and I still am. I have travelled the UK and a lot of the world. Unfortunately, nowhere comes close as far as raw atmosphere is concerned. It was of it's time and place and it has gone, like an old dangerous mistress, fondly remembered but you wouldn't want to spend your life with her. Would you?

[Peter99]

Along with the loads who now say they did it without taking gear and danced all night only stopping for a top up swig of lucozade and a bite of a mars bar

 

Hiya mate.

 

 

Peter

[Guest manusf3a]

 

Hiya mate.

 

 

Peter

Hiya Pete,just off fo a swig of Lucozade(not really)how are you.

[Guest manusf3a]

Wigan was appaling. The management treated everyone like cash cows. The DJ's played some insulting music for a so-called Soul Club. The place was a dump and Marshall et al never spent a red cent on anything. The vast majority of teenagers were off their box on amphetamines and in later years anything else that was to hand. If you didn't keep an eye on stuff it WOULD get nicked. All this is true.

I was a Soul fan before it was called Northern, and I still am. I have travelled the UK and a lot of the world. Unfortunately, nowhere comes close as far as raw atmosphere is concerned. It was of it's time and place and it has gone, like an old dangerous mistress, fondly remembered but you wouldn't want to spend your life with her. Would you?

Very True.

[Peter99]

Hiya Pete,just off fo a swig of Lucozade(not really)how are you.

I'm ok Manus thanks - chewing me Mars Bar!

 

Hope you're well mate.

 

Peter

 

Edited November 24, 2013 by Peter99

[Sooty]

I didn't bite on that post but like you never took gear because I didn't want to not couldn't afford it, also when I got back home about 12.00 am full breakfast and off to bed. Something you gear heads couldn't do lol

 

....got to say this Mark....X I drove a 17 seater LDV for 9 years in the 90's and had some regulars come when off to Blackburn/Keele....well...any all-nighter I was driving too really! A now super friend who had been 'at it' for 25 years when I started in 1993....continually gobsmacked me.... this is what 'T' would do......EVERY WEEK END!!!!

 

Dance ALL night....possibly 2/3 E's....couple of wraps.....and about 20 jays.......through the night........and then we would make for the servie station @ 8.30am.....and he would buy a newspaper....full breakfast.....sit next to me all sensible like...not speak...and read every page....and lick the plate........to my amazement....for 9 years!!!! He was 42 when we met.....had a good job and still has....and lived a decent lifestyle....and was 'solid' in his attitude and we always have got on and always will. He is the only Soulie I have met who can do such!x Just thought i'd share that as I chuckled at your post....and hope you see why now!!!x

@@

~

LUV

SOOTY

X

[Guest manusf3a]

Why mate?

 

Is it not correct to wear your heart on your sleeve?

 

Does my post not encourage a well worn, yes, debate?

 

But when I listened to Harry's Chris Bartley post it brought the whole Wigan thing rushing back to me....I was a little boy with no real Soulie mates that travelled this country buoying the numbers....numbers that meant f*ck all to me at the time...it just felt good to be on that floor feeling the things I felt whilst dancing to that music.

 

Yes, I'm not relevant today on THIS NS scene...but...and it's a big but....I was fucking relevant then...when it mattered.

 

So....when I want to drink and post, I will.

 

And no better forum than this ay?

Indeed no better forum mate for isnt this the very same merged some time back with the the "All our yesterdays",forum which as the name suggests to do with the history,past events,places,people sounds and things to do with  soul.(A forum before  merging I very much enjoyed)So once more you are dead centre zone in posting.imo Manus.

[Sooty]

Hi there,

 

could you guys help spread the word about this, we only have a week left,

 

Cheers.

 

 

 

https://www.justgiving.com/local/project/wigancasino

 

 

 

plaquejpeg (2).jpg

 

Hi Drew...X Can you give me a call before lunchtime today regarding this plaque?!x I am going to a meeting this afternoon which could discuss your request for funds!x  Although I never went...It's been a hobby of mine all me life looking at these plaques around the UK in backstreets and stuff.....and much of my knowledge would never have been discovered without them....great idea!x I have some 'charity' money available for investment back into the scene.....and this seems a proper lasting thing to support....if my idea can be fitted into the time scale you have!x I look forward to your call and well done on doing something....on behalf of the scene...like I gather your sister did...(x)......respects mate...X

 

LUV

SOOTY

X

 

07521042699

[Mark B]

....got to say this Mark....X I drove a 17 seater LDV for 9 years in the 90's and had some regulars come when off to Blackburn/Keele....well...any all-nighter I was driving too really! A now super friend who had been 'at it' for 25 years when I started in 1993....continually gobsmacked me.... this is what 'T' would do......EVERY WEEK END!!!!

 

Dance ALL night....possibly 2/3 E's....couple of wraps.....and about 20 jays.......through the night........and then we would make for the servie station @ 8.30am.....and he would buy a newspaper....full breakfast.....sit next to me all sensible like...not speak...and read every page....and lick the plate........to my amazement....for 9 years!!!! He was 42 when we met.....had a good job and still has....and lived a decent lifestyle....and was 'solid' in his attitude and we always have got on and always will. He is the only Soulie I have met who can do such!x Just thought i'd share that as I chuckled at your post....and hope you see why now!!!x

@@

~

LUV

SOOTY

X

Yes made me laugh because when we got back to Manchester Victoria there was an Italian cafe outside we used to all go in as the first Sunday buses weren't till 11.30 ish in the morning. The lads who had all had gear would sit with a coffee putting in sugar after sugar , whilst me and my brother would have a tea with some toast all the lads would moan at us for eating in front of them. You had to be there to appreciate the funny side.

[paultp]

I went once about 75ish, thought it was shite.

[Sooty]

Hi Drew...X Can you give me a call before lunchtime today regarding this plaque?!x I am going to a meeting this afternoon which could discuss your request for funds!x  Although I never went...It's been a hobby of mine all me life looking at these plaques around the UK in backstreets and stuff.....and much of my knowledge would never have been discovered without them....great idea!x I have some 'charity' money available for investment back into the scene.....and this seems a proper lasting thing to support....if my idea can be fitted into the time scale you have!x I look forward to your call and well done on doing something....on behalf of the scene...like I gather your sister did...(x)......respects mate...X

 

LUV

SOOTY

X

 

07521042699

 

Thanx for the call Drew and nice speaking with you and look forward to finalising things on Thursday...X.....job done i'd say!!!x 

For you reading and have an interest.....this is part of your 'heritage'....and a £1 will help!x I will share this. If it wasn't for one of these plaques up on a wall...then I would never have been inspired by this 'story'....from 100 years ago!!x Derived from an article covering Wokingham's history.....

 

James “Sooty” Seaward (1844-1921)

Everyone in Wokingham (Berks) should know about James Seaward: the

town’s first commissioned public work of art, erected in 1999 at the

library entrance, is a unique sculpture to commemorate his reputation as

the inspiration for Charles Kingsley’s “Tom” in the Water Babies.

But there may be few folk in Kingsclere who know that he was a native of

their town. James was born in 1844 at the old Workhouse on the Newbury

Road, the illegitimate son of Mary Seward, a poor 18 year old.

Mary was the youngest daughter of James Seward, a labourer, and his wife

Elizabeth, formerly Hedgecock, both of whom had died by the time she

fell pregnant.

Presumably Mary’s elder sister helped her as in the 1851 Census James is

a scholar living with his aunt Jane in North Street. But shortly after

this he was ‘apprenticed’ to a cruel chimney sweep.

Why James came to Wokingham is unknown at present (this may be revealed

when a few clues have been followed up). In 1861, at only seventeen

years old, he established his business here under the name Seaward,

probably derived from his pronunciation, and for the next sixty years he

swept the chimneys of the neighbourhood. These included those at Charles

Kingsley’s Rectory at Eversley, where James related his childhood

experiences to the housekeeper who in turn told her master.

James married three times and had twelve children, of whom only four

outlived him. However, his work extended beyond his family. In 1892 he

became the first workingman elected to the Town Council. Despite initial

prejudice by some councillors, his integrity and hard work resulted in

his elevation to Alderman, the only Alderman who was born in a workhouse

and the only one to decline to be Mayor.

In addition to his council activities (which included chairmanship of

the Lighting Committee), James was prominent in the local temperance

movement and for many years he organised social events to raise funds

for charity or to entertain and educate the poorer residents.

Peter G

 

 

LUV

SOOTY

X

 

 

.....makes one proud of ones name actually!!x Same with the Northern plaque commemorating a 'happening'. Summink your grandkids should read about.....and hopefully be inspired by............a quid......go on!!x Visit the site as tagged by Drew and make a donation. If u give a £5 u get a mini plaque as a thank you....which is neat methinks!x

 

( A personal thanx to Richard Searling and Kev Roberts for putting back into 'the scene' too.....great stuff!xx Yes....folk moan about profits......but I think folk should hear about your investments made on behalf of the scene too...X Your 'decent' donations are much appreciated....by a proud heritage preserver....I reckon..X)

[Back Street Blue]

Squeezed my first visit in just before the end of '74 aged 15...the cool dudes were the old Torch and Va Va's members, "Big Time" as they were known.

 

They became the first Wigan Bashers, complaining that us kids were taking up space on their dance floors and that "the music was going down hill", so a lot of them took their ball home and most had gone by '76  '77.

 

Then there were the traditionalists who became the next Wigan Bashers as more Funky stuff started getting played, and conversely some of the Funk pioneers also became Wigan bashers comparing the Casino with their preferred Mecca & Cleethorpes niters.

 

Then most of my mates had split by '78 and became Wigan bashers cos the place was over run with kids (it was OK when we were the kids but not now when we were the older lads apparently).

 

My visits became less and less frequent '79 - '81 and I loved it that there was a crew of new kids from our way who were just as passionate as our lot had been at their age, who I could hook up with when I went in those later years......and their knowledge of the music and verve in collecting put me and my mates to shame to be honest...but we'd have burned them off the dance floor mind.

 

Those who didn't go, can't bash Wigan as far as I'm concerned because they can only criticise what they've seen and heard about it, they weren't there so they don't know and may as well be talking to a pork chop as far as I'm concerned.

 

Not asking for recognition for me or anyone else who went like it was some kind of achievement, just wish those who missed it could have shared that experience.

[Guest Byrney]

Squeezed my first visit in just before the end of '74 aged 15...the cool dudes were the old Torch and Va Va's members, "Big Time" as they were known.

 

They became the first Wigan Bashers, complaining that us kids were taking up space on their dance floors and that "the music was going down hill", so a lot of them took their ball home and most had gone by '76  '77.

 

Then there were the traditionalists who became the next Wigan Bashers as more Funky stuff started getting played, and conversely some of the Funk pioneers also became Wigan bashers comparing the Casino with their preferred Mecca & Cleethorpes niters.

 

Then most of my mates had split by '78 and became Wigan bashers cos the place was over run with kids (it was OK when we were the kids but not now when we were the older lads apparently).

 

My visits became less and less frequent '79 - '81 and I loved it that there was a crew of new kids from our way who were just as passionate as our lot had been at their age, who I could hook up with when I went in those later years......and their knowledge of the music and verve in collecting put me and my mates to shame to be honest...but we'd have burned them off the dance floor mind.

 

Those who didn't go, can't bash Wigan as far as I'm concerned because they can only criticise what they've seen and heard about it, they weren't there so they don't know and may as well be talking to a pork chop as far as I'm concerned.

 

Not asking for recognition for me or anyone else who went like it was some kind of achievement, just wish those who missed it could have shared that experience.

I think a lot forget how young the scene was back in the 70s - it was chocker full of kids like me; thinking Notts Palais in 78 where I was 14 and to be honest didn't feel out of place one jot. We do tend to put rose colored bi focals on when looking back - we'd like to think we we were matrix number quoting Connoisseurs back then but to be honest a lot of us ( me especially) were clueless nippers. I'd imagine this would have riled the awld fellas up ( read early 20s) no end.

I don't see that much Wigan bashing to be honest - it's more like Jip given to a certain kind of visitor who went to Wigan and to be honest this was the scenes most overground period so you're going to get a lot more tourists back then. Well besides now as they have found their passports and brought their mates from the cribbage club with them.

[Orotava]

Why do people not believe that some of us never took gear? I never had any spare cash for the stuff, was never inclined to start stealing to get some so did without, no I couldn't dance all night and yes used to have a nana nap around 4am but still got the buzz from being part of the scene

 

 

Same here Andy, all my money went on getting there and buying records, and the music was enough of a drug for me.  Didn`t last all night but was one of the Lucozade gang who gave it a good go.  Sometimes went on a coach and none of those 40 odd took drugs either.  These days I like to think that Wigan was a platform for the scene to build and grow from.     

[Quinvy]

When Wigan first started up I sent off for my membership after reading about it in Blues and Soul. I was all set to go until I bumped into a couple of friends Kenny Judson and Roy Bridges, they had been the previous weekend. How was it I asked? "Terrible" they said, "it's full of kids and pill heads"

That was it. I never went.

The fact is, not everyone who loves northern wants to get involved in the drug side of the scene. Or the people for that matter. And after meeting old friends from back then, I'm bloody glad I didn't get involved. Of the ones who managed to survive, most have got health issues, or are alcoholics or are addicted to smoking pot.

[Simsy]

 and shifty dj at blackpool mecca

 

Shifty?