Unpublished Wigan Photos

[Chris Turnbull]

These are some of Franceso's photos.  A photobook isn't hard to do and a digital version is pretty simply.

 

0ba39cf131583842300c40c3d05eec755622d361-2.jpg1f3bfe75ba05b6f532e8674f763a872d8e0113c1.jpg3e792ecc363d85db4fe476017e769f4bc39a6c22.jpg5a136042e189676dad7d1061a25cf1e014de7854.jpg9c9203bf5db2d84a2d7262a4314259e2ad680d5c.jpg505a47a9d65a2a7becd693eae9bc6561fbb418dc.jpg32437e13f06c3307a2a23c607a502e7054c52e76.jpg

 

I meant the 100+ that no-one has seen - only Francesco currently has access to them 

[Chatty]

Look at picture 3 the guy under the piano - where the hell is he now - priceless great pics

Edited November 22, 2014 by chatty

[KevH]

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is the second photo one of chris shows that features in the book Chalky. ? Mansfield people I the right hand foreground.

[jocko]

Many folks including Vernon claim that it was the 7th Anniversary Dance Competition

A ticket from that night shows it to be Sat/Sun 13th September 1980

 

 The girl in picture with big perm and shorts taking pictures has said all her photos are dated 09/81 and she was on holiday for 7th anniversary, so tending to favour Cheryl. 

 

Tell Vernon he is disagreeing with Cheryl and Christine from Selby, he will soon change his mind   And say hi to Vernon from the Scotsman who very much enjoyed his company at Christine's daughters wedding recently, still the same humble nice guy he was in 81! 

[jocko]

I meant the 100+ that no-one has seen - only Francesco currently has access to them 

 

 You mean he wants paid for publishing them? Possibly better to be clear on this, as it wasn't above. 

[jocko]

Blimey - the punters look so young don't they!

 

We were, it was the beginning of the new dawn, the youngsters uprising. 

 

That and the old fogies like Shard and Thorley never ventured out the record bar by that stage

[Chalky]

I meant the 100+ that no-one has seen - only Francesco currently has access to them 

 

I know and I was saying it isn't hard to do a book these days especially a digital one and with photos.  The guy has a book out soon with photos from 77 to 83 or something like so he knows how to do it.  Not sure what that book covers though.  You would think with the mass interest in Northern Soul right now he'd cash in and make them available?

Edited November 22, 2014 by chalky

[Chalky]

is the second photo one of chris shows that features in the book Chalky. ? Mansfield people I the right hand foreground.

 

dunno mate, was sent them some time ago.

[jocko]

Can't see it. End of era night was jam-packed solid. The pastel colours look late 70's but you have one geezer with a bowling shirt and another with dungarees! Put a gun to my head and I'd say 78/9.

 

I would withdraw your application for the CID, Columbo squad mate, I didn't start going till 80 properly. There were still a few bowler shirts, especially on Dundonians, and lots of dungarees persisted to Clifton Hall. Not everyone was mod of the week. 

 

Look at how packed the balcony is as well though.  

Edited November 22, 2014 by jocko

[Pete S]

If you want to know the exact date, I'll just ask my mate who took the photos - simple.

[Guest BIG H]

The dance competition photo is definitely 09/81 as my partner Cheryl(girl with shorts with camera) has a full album of photos with names and dates on the back from that night, it was John Neilson from Scotland Kim White from Selby and Vernon in dance off if i remember correctly it was a draw between John and Vernon

or we could just ask Petes mate!

[Chris Turnbull]

 You mean he wants paid for publishing them? Possibly better to be clear on this, as it wasn't above. 

 

Sorry yes - we didn't discuss figures but that was what he meant

[Chris Turnbull]

I know and I was saying it isn't hard to do a book these days especially a digital one and with photos.  The guy has a book out soon with photos from 77 to 83 or something like so he knows how to do it.  Not sure what that book covers though.  You would think with the mass interest in Northern Soul right now he'd cash in and make them available?

 

Absolutely - someone should ask him again. I think his new book is just the Liverpool music scene (Eric's, etc)

[Guest Matt Male]

Can't see it. End of era night was jam-packed solid. The pastel colours look late 70's but you have one geezer with a bowling shirt and another with dungarees! Put a gun to my head and I'd say 78/9.

 

I don't think it's '79. When we went in '79/'80 there were many still in Spencers. I can't see any in those photos at the top, it's all skinny jeans etc... I think it's '81 myself.

[Ady Croasdell]

Less time for our gang to wait for the bus to to Bolton, then on to Oldham too

Being a pedant; why? The clocks would have gone back for the bus company too LOL

[Godzilla]

Being a pedant; why? The clocks would have gone back for the bus company too LOL

I'm obviously thinking of when they went forward Ady...

Just checked in the Big Green Lizard's Concise Dictionary by the way.

Pedant: (n) a smartarse.

[Drewtg]

I don't think it's '79. When we went in '79/'80 there were many still in Spencers. I can't see any in those photos at the top, it's all skinny jeans etc... I think it's '81 myself.

 

Spencers' were just for the tourists, not many wore them. Bit like buying a tee-shirt at Hard-Rock Cafe. But you might be right about the year.

[Steve L]

I don't think it's '79. When we went in '79/'80 there were many still in Spencers. I can't see any in those photos at the top, it's all skinny jeans etc... I think it's '81 myself.

 

I agree Matt, most were still wearing bags in 79

[Pete S]

I don't think it's '79. When we went in '79/'80 there were many still in Spencers. I can't see any in those photos at the top, it's all skinny jeans etc... I think it's '81 myself.

 

It's not 79, it's 80 or 81 for sure.

[Hornet]

Spencers' were just for the tourists, not many wore them. Bit like buying a tee-shirt at Hard-Rock Cafe. But you might be right about the year.

I was under the impression most wore Spencer's & A full length leather coat in the latter half of the 70s

[Pete S]

I was under the impression most wore Spencer's & A full length leather coat in the latter half of the 70s

 

Not that many people wore those mega-baggy Spencers but most did wear baggies, but so did most of the young people in the UK.  Long leathers were de rigeur.

[Ady Croasdell]

I'm obviously thinking of when they went forward Ady...

Just checked in the Big Green Lizard's Concise Dictionary by the way.

Pedant: (n) a smartarse.

Agreed on the smartarse and to prove the point you've done it again; it'd be the same if they went forward

[Hornet]

Not that many people wore those mega-baggy Spencers but most did wear baggies, but so did most of the young people in the UK.  Long leathers were de rigeur.

I can remember the bags with patch pockets that chawners sold  (1975ish )but seem To remember skinny jeans were the fashion 4 the Stoke clubbers in the mid 70s ! Puts me in the tourist group !!

[Frankie Crocker]

544988_3937019181227_742143702_n.jpg545054_3937019501235_28646934_n.jpg547077_3937025261379_1847197170_n.jpg551051_3937022101300_2104200299_n.jpg576337_3937021501285_1064049134_n.jpg

Nice photos but what's the scenario? Why have folk moved to the side for what seems to be a staged photo session? On the main floor but surely not a dance competition... Can anyone explain what's going on?

[Frankie Crocker]

Spencers' were just for the tourists, not many wore them. Bit like buying a tee-shirt at Hard-Rock Cafe. But you might be right about the year.

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. The early soulies wore Spencer's bags or something similar. They were still common in 1978 even though skinny jeans hit the streets in 1976. Anyone wearing Spencer at Wigan in 1980-81 is a diehard in my books. All the rest are tourists, High Street fashionistas carrying adidas bags with glued on patches, narrow white plastic belts with the black fist on, beer towel tucked into waist band, towelling wrist-bands etc. No wonder the serious soulies had stopped going to Wigan. Fortunately, the music had picked right up at the end due to King Richard's taste and the Staffs boys in the Record Bar were able to carry the scene forward in the 80's.

[Godzilla]

Agreed on the smartarse and to prove the point you've done it again; it'd be the same if they went forward

I'm about to go to Germany. I'm late, Mrs G is telling me to get off the internet and pack my undies while I strugglle to multi-task. This is stressing me more!

Right then: the world turns clocks back at 02:00. Casino doesn't do it during night so when you come out at 08:00 Casino time, the world has gone forward an hour and it's 09:00 real time. Hence less time to wait for bus. That works doesn't it?

[Drewtg]

Nice photos but what's the scenario? Why have folk moved to the side for what seems to be a staged photo session? On the main floor but surely not a dance competition... Can anyone explain what's going on?

 

These were taken at a midweek-night (not a nighter) just for the locals, more or less. I think the age limit was lower, a bit like a youth night. If memory serves they were Daily Mirror stock photo's for a piece they did in the early days.

As for the baggies, I think it depended on your crew, I wore them for the first few years - but then we sort of moved on. As for full-length leathers, no way could I afford one as a schoolboy and later a lowly apprentice. Rich boys and criminals only methinks - to use another massive generalisation

[Frankie Crocker]

These were taken at a midweek-night (not a nighter) just for the locals, more or less. I think the age limit was lower, a bit like a youth night. If memory serves they were Daily Mirror stock photo's for a piece they did in the early days.

As for the baggies, I think it depended on your crew, I wore them for the first few years - but then we sort of moved on. As for full-length leathers, no way could I afford one as a schoolboy and later a lowly apprentice. Rich boys and criminals only methinks - to use another massive generalisation

Thanks for the background on this.

 

In the early years, a large proportion wore leather trenchcoats. Mine cost £32 from a shop in Swansea, a bit below the going rate for one at a the time. As I was only earning £25 a week doing a summer job, it was a sizeable outlay but one of the best moves I've ever made.

Edited November 25, 2014 by FRANKIE CROCKER

[Drewtg]

https://www.soul-source.co.uk/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=208913

 

Just spotted Mike Walker.

[Ady Croasdell]

I'm about to go to Germany. I'm late, Mrs G is telling me to get off the internet and pack my undies while I strugglle to multi-task. This is stressing me more!

Right then: the world turns clocks back at 02:00. Casino doesn't do it during night so when you come out at 08:00 Casino time, the world has gone forward an hour and it's 09:00 real time. Hence less time to wait for bus. That works doesn't it?

Well you've added some information that the Casino DIDN'T do the same as the rest of the country so that would make the difference. BUT I'm very pleased to say that you're wrong again and you mean forward as you would have an extra hour wait when they put them back. I hope you enjoy your German trip but I think that like me the Germans would admonish you for your inexact use of language. X

[Guest captain black]

Look at picture 3 the guy under the piano - where the hell is he now - priceless great pics

That's me under the piano (why? haven't a clue) all sensible decisions went out the window after taking bucketloads of pills. I have a full scale model of that piano in my living room and I occasionally lie under it to watch the telly, stopped the pills a while back though!

[Guest manusf3a]

Note - no clown outfits!

Quite right Pete every one should keep a copy of this photo in their wallet or purse and when asked say"Yes,I was there and look not a baggy pair of trousers in sight".

[Guest manusf3a]

These were taken at a midweek-night (not a nighter) just for the locals, more or less. I think the age limit was lower, a bit like a youth night. If memory serves they were Daily Mirror stock photo's for a piece they did in the early days.

As for the baggies, I think it depended on your crew, I wore them for the first few years - but then we sort of moved on. As for full-length leathers, no way could I afford one as a schoolboy and later a lowly apprentice. Rich boys and criminals only methinks - to use another massive generalisation

The coats used to be the mark of the criminal elite in early days .I never had one I had instead a denim jacket style black leather with popper fastenings like a levi denim jacket in style.Another criminal"look",round our way was denim shirt and jeans and not bringing a bag with you.Mick Gav r.i.p  good friend from Wellingborough occasionaly would have a tesco  type bag with a spare shirt  as would others in that crew.

 

In fact I remember meeting up with Gav and the crew one night and getting the train to Bedford for an all nighter at the Night Spot probably about 78 time,we got the nighter and outside there was a bunch of wannabe skinhead locals(quadraphenia had not long come out and the lookalike mods and skins were multiplying like rabbits on sex boast pills all over the land) they were steaming into and beating the shit out of a bunch of soulies with bags and baggie pants etc ho were waiting outside for the nighter to open.Of course Gavin,meself,Terry I think/,Danny Price and the rest of the Wellingborough lads rushed in and mincemeated the local skins who ran off up the road being pursued by us,I think I threw a steel roadsign at them as a parting gift.Well I read on soul source (one of the forums)last year I think and had to laugh as I read a desciption of the incident that said it was "A fight between local skinheads and  JAZZFUNKERS???????", at that time our lot were wearing either levi501s or narrow cut peg trousers ,Gav and Glen Stuart aand a couple of others had Oxfam type narrow lapel jackets,me my denim style leather  but I dont see how we could of been mistaken for jazzfunkers of that time.Incidentely a large group of lads stood watching from the steps as their fellow soulies were getting a kicking  must just have been a certain bunch there waiting that night before other folk arrived as I couldnt see that happening at any other soul do even these days of realative maturity and non A G A G R in our lives,people would help. 

Edited November 24, 2014 by manusf3a

[El Corol]

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. The early soulies wore Spencer's bags or something similar. They were still common in 1978 even though skinny jeans hit the streets in 1976. Anyone wearing Spencer at Wigan in 1980-81 is a diehard in my books. All the rest are tourists, High Street fashionistas carrying adidas bags with glued on patches, narrow white plastic belts with the black fist on, beer towel tucked into waist band, towelling wrist-bands etc. No wonder the serious soulies had stopped going to Wigan. Fortunately, the music had picked right up at the end due to King Richard's taste and the Staffs boys in the Record Bar were able to carry the scene forward in the 80's.

Hang on, so are you saying someone at Wigan wearing Spencers in 80, 81 is a diehard and everyone else was a tourist? Thats a pretty strong statement!

Weren't people allowed to move on fashionwise without losing their true soulie status? And how come the music is allowed to move on via "King Richerd and the Staffs boys........" but not the clothes? No-one wore Spencers at Stafford that I ever saw so was everyone there a tourist. I never saw King Richard sport Spencers at Wigan in my time there. And if its only punters/dancers you refer to then I'm pretty certain Jethro fom Wolve's weren't wearing them in 1980 either.

Edited November 24, 2014 by El Corol

[Frankie Crocker]

Hang on, so are you saying someone at Wigan wearing Spencers in 80, 81 is a diehard and everyone else was a tourist? Thats a pretty strong statement!

Weren't people allowed to move on fashionwise without losing their true soulie status? And how come the music is allowed to move on via "King Richerd and the Staffs boys........" but not the clothes? No-one wore Spencers at Stafford that I ever saw so was everyone there a tourist. I never saw King Richard sport Spencers at Wigan in my time there. And if its only punters/dancers you refer to then I'm pretty certain Jethro fom Wolve's weren't wearing them in 1980 either.

Statement with tongue slightly in cheek... Hacks me off when latterday arrivals hurl flack at the earlier generation for what they wore. Towards the end of Wigan, and despite the many great 60's records emerging, the Jazz Funk brigade were steering the dress-code along High Street fashion lines, hardly an underground cult anymore. You're right, the Wigan DJ's tended to dress ordinarily with the exception of Dave Evison and maybe a couple of other latecomers. Don't recall Gethro much after the mid 70's but he was always sharply dressed. At Soul On The Square on Saturday, there were plenty of lads and lasses dressed the part, kitted out to dance and a world apart from the students present.

[Gerry H]

It did get light inside especially in summer months 6ish onwards. Was there some skylights or similar in roof where light came in i seem to remember....long time ago now and av slept since then.

na they where just holes in the roof

[Guest Dave Ward]

Oh come on, by '78 even at Wigan, it was pleated pegs and baseball shirts, The Jazz Funk boys had stupid mohair sweaters, tight jeans, sandals and flick wedge haircuts.

[Frankie Crocker]

The coats used to be the mark of the criminal elite in early days .I never had one I had instead a denim jacket style black leather with popper fastenings like a levi denim jacket in style.Another criminal"look",round our way was denim shirt and jeans and not bringing a bag with you.Mick Gav r.i.p  good friend from Wellingborough occasionaly would have a tesco  type bag with a spare shirt  as would others in that crew.

 

In fact I remember meeting up with Gav and the crew one night and getting the train to Bedford for an all nighter at the Night Spot probably about 78 time,we got the nighter and outside there was a bunch of wannabe skinhead locals(quadraphenia had not long come out and the lookalike mods and skins were multiplying like rabbits on sex boast pills all over the land) they were steaming into and beating the shit out of a bunch of soulies with bags and baggie pants etc ho were waiting outside for the nighter to open.Of course Gavin,meself,Terry I think/,Danny Price and the rest of the Wellingborough lads rushed in and mincemeated the local skins who ran off up the road being pursued by us,I think I threw a steel roadsign at them as a parting gift.Well I read on soul source (one of the forums)last year I think and had to laugh as I read a desciption of the incident that said it was "A fight between local skinheads and  JAZZFUNKERS???????", at that time our lot were wearing either levi501s or narrow cut peg trousers ,Gav and Glen Stuart aand a couple of others had Oxfam type narrow lapel jackets,me my denim style leather  but I dont see how we could of been mistaken for jazzfunkers of that time.Incidentely a large group of lads stood watching from the steps as their fellow soulies were getting a kicking  must just have been a certain bunch there waiting that night before other folk arrived as I couldnt see that happening at any other soul do even these days of realative maturity and non A G A G R in our lives,people would help. 

Nice one. I guess that's what passed for a good night out in Northants in the 70's. Never considered myself one of the criminal elite in my trenchcoat back in the day. Now the proud owner of three floor-length leathers, tailor-made for next to nothing in Bali. Wore one to Tesco on Sunday as it was slashing down in London and drew one comment from a passer by, 'nice jacket mate' - made my day as he could have called me an 'emo Goth tosser' or something similar but he probably thought I was an elite criminal...

[Guest Dave Ward]

There were two skylights at WC and a few windows that let the morning light in, As I remember the worst was Cleethorpes, that was a proper dawn crack-up zone.

[Drewtg]

Statement with tongue slightly in cheek... Hacks me off when latterday arrivals hurl flack at the earlier generation for what they wore. Towards the end of Wigan, and despite the many great 60's records emerging, the Jazz Funk brigade were steering the dress-code along High Street fashion lines, hardly an underground cult anymore. You're right, the Wigan DJ's tended to dress ordinarily with the exception of Dave Evison and maybe a couple of other latecomers. Don't recall Gethro much after the mid 70's but he was always sharply dressed. At Soul On The Square on Saturday, there were plenty of lads and lasses dressed the part, kitted out to dance and a world apart from the students present.

 

Hope you are not referring to me as a "latterday arriviste" Frankie! I based my comments on eight years of going to Wigan and, like I said, in the latter years Spencer's were for tourists. Who else would go to an all-nighter to buy trousers? Let's face it, wearing baggies is a bit like being a Teddy Boy or a Mod, god forbid.

[Frankie Crocker]

Hope you are not referring to me as a "latterday arriviste" Frankie! I based my comments on eight years of going to Wigan and, like I said, in the latter years Spencer's were for tourists. Who else would go to an all-nighter to buy trousers? Let's face it, wearing baggies is a bit like being a Teddy Boy or a Mod, god forbid.

If you were at Wigan 1973-81, you must have worn bags, possibly Spencer's or something similar as these were the dress code from the get-go. Anyone at the death in Spencer's was probably an old soul boy, maybe me... The tourists were in drainpipes or pegs. Proud to be a baggie wearing soul boy and respect to the Teds and Mods for being cool and committing to their music/dress regardless of what others thought or said.

[Guest manusf3a]

If you were at Wigan 1973-81, you must have worn bags, possibly Spencer's or something similar as these were the dress code from the get-go. Anyone at the death in Spencer's was probably an old soul boy, maybe me... The tourists were in drainpipes or pegs. Proud to be a baggie wearing soul boy and respect to the Teds and Mods for being cool and committing to their music/dress regardless of what others thought or said.

22 inch parrallels came after skinners round our way,bletsoe torch era then for a very short time oxford bags before people started to get 28 to 30 inch parrallels made to measure around 73 74  then till about 75 76 ish before people I knew moved into pegs or just jeans though a few continues to wear baggies.There was baggie cords in Northants before the spencers version.Also the high waist band didnt last very long on baggy made to measures till  then it became   just normal waistbands and pleats with no side patch packets ,multitudes of zips and buttons this around around 75.Mind you I always preferred cleethorpes when it first opened and samathas to Wigan and there was definately a differnt style between wigan and those places as the seventies moved on into 74.75 time.I agree with another writer on here that before on anoter thread commented that the really massive town hall flag widthbaggies were a mistake made by either the person who ordered them or the tailor when we meant 30 r 28 inch parallel we meant all the way round ie 14 or 15 inches wide ,it seems that the flags that were 30 inch wide had their birth from a mistake!.If people want to wear baggies these days so what I dont care!

Edited November 25, 2014 by manusf3a

[Hornet]

Hope you are not referring to me as a "latterday arriviste" Frankie! I based my comments on eight years of going to Wigan and, like I said, in the latter years Spencer's were for tourists. Who else would go to an all-nighter to buy trousers? Let's face it, wearing baggies is a bit like being a Teddy Boy or a Mod, god forbid.

Seem to remember 40" Spencer's had 2 be ordered from the friendly works burnley & it was only in the latter years they were sold from the casino ! Next 2 Ms !!

[Back Street Blue]

Mick Malone (Oldham) blew his brains out on a made to measure whistle with big f*ck of baggy kex....by the time it was ready for collection, late '77, we'd all gone straight-leg jeans....and he never wore it!!!

Disagree that the funkateers wore high street stuff they were more cutting edge fashion victims and the 0xfam shops were supplying some of them with "vintage" stuff.

[Ady Croasdell]

If you were at Wigan 1973-81, you must have worn bags, possibly Spencer's or something similar as these were the dress code from the get-go. Anyone at the death in Spencer's was probably an old soul boy, maybe me... The tourists were in drainpipes or pegs. Proud to be a baggie wearing soul boy and respect to the Teds and Mods for being cool and committing to their music/dress regardless of what others thought or said.

I didn't wear baggy trousers until Russ Taylor gave me a pair in 1980 and I wore them once in full "Northern" regalia to the 6TS at West Hampstead for a laugh. I went from 73-79ish; maybe being punk influenced in 77 helped me avoid the drafts up the trouser leg.

[jocko]

I didn't wear baggy trousers until Russ Taylor gave me a pair in 1980 and I wore them once in full "Northern" regalia to the 6TS at West Hampstead for a laugh. I went from 73-79ish; maybe being punk influenced in 77 helped me avoid the drafts up the trouser leg.

 

And at Stafford once, you Harley and Pountain scoffed a bottle of brandy and were even funnier. Three drunken Ady's was the song of the night, I think you actually dj'd?

Edited November 25, 2014 by jocko

[jocko]

If you were at Wigan 1973-81, you must have worn bags, possibly Spencer's or something similar as these were the dress code from the get-go. Anyone at the death in Spencer's was probably an old soul boy, maybe me... The tourists were in drainpipes or pegs. Proud to be a baggie wearing soul boy and respect to the Teds and Mods for being cool and committing to their music/dress regardless of what others thought or said.

 

I really hope your tongue is now poking outside your cheek.

 

Otherwise this tosh will become as infamous as your initial 100 club rant that I notice you now have deflected away from.

 

I wore baggies once to Wigan and was definitely greeted as a tourist, aka dickhead, and soon joined the bright new barmy Wigan army, ski jumpers and skinny jeans, admittedly at the back hiding behind the big boys incase of any trouble!

[jocko]

It's not 79, it's 80 or 81 for sure.

 

Is defnitely the end of an era, 4 people including one in the competition have confirmed.

[Guest gordon russell]

Is defnitely the end of an era, 4 people including one in the competition have confirmed.

it ended in 77..........come on Yate!!

[Pete S]

Is defnitely the end of an era, 4 people including one in the competition have confirmed.

 

I asked him this morning and he honestly couldn't remember what year but he said that 'Vernon' won the dancing competition