Divs are more abundant than ever......

[Russ Vickers]

8 hours ago, Northern Soul UK said:

Blame 'Northern soul' the film and 'Soulboy', they are what brought the 'Divs' flocking to see what it was all about, and since then bootlegs have found a new price range, as the 'Divs' look for records that were in the flims, but haven't got a clue what labels to look for, all they know is that they have been told they are rare and cost a fortune. I see them every day with their plastic T-Shirts and baggy trousers. Any self respecting REAL soulie would never wear a T-shirt with 'Northern Soul Keep The Faith' plastered all over it, in fact any self respecting REAL soulie wouldn't wear anything that said northern Soul on it at all, maybe just a pin badge with his beloved club logo on. OK, I know there were 'Divs' at the Casino etc. but nowhere as near as many as today.

It started wayyyyyyyyyyy before the films....the returnees started their come back in the late 9ts onwards & its gradually got worst since.....money is the route of all evil & the BIG promoters want to appeal to the lowest common denominator punters, so they can get as many people into their venues as possible, rest assured tho, that as soon as the last pound note has been wrung from the scene, they'll be off.....until the next time, its a pattern, I'm just looking forward to the next Stafford if my theory is correct, when all the Divs have buggered off lol

[Gold Band]

15 hours ago, Steve Lane said:

I was right with you until you got to the word...... "Bowling shirt"  from there you explained what the divs wore!

They`re like shit golfers......they wear all the silly clothes, complete with bar towel tucked into the ludicrously high wasteband of their ludicrously baggy braced trousers but they can`t dance, they know very little about the music or the scene and they are an embarrassment!

And who said that a 60 odd year old woman looks good in white bobby-sox and full circle skirt?   F%$£ M£!

 

We dressed similarly as in....not many of us were nude. It was originally quite a fashionless movement, smart casual was all it was about.

 

 

16 hours ago, FRANKIE CROCKER said:

When Soulies dressed similarly, leather trenchcoat or bomber jacket, brogues or loafers, pleated cords or Oxford bags, bowling shirt or badge covered vest, tartan bag or adidas holdall: it was easy to spot the 'Divvies', locals out for the beer and something to stare at, standing in a circle on the dancefloor thumbs hooked in belt-loops*... 

How do you spot a 'Div' nowadays? What do they wear and how do they stand out? Should real Soulies wear similar clothes so they don't look like Divs of yesteryear? Am I right in assuming that 'Handbagger' means the same as 'Div'?

 

*Apologies to the lasses for gender bias - could someone fill in the finer details from a female perspective).

 Steve, Your spot on, Frankie from a Female perspective hmmm let me think ah yes they used to be Lambrini Girls now I believe that they are called Prosecco Girls apparently a bit more up market another term for either is "Piss Head" Usually stand around in herds surrounding hambags (a term for handbags for females who carry crisps & other food) not interested in the music as it dosen't matter what a DJ plays they can usually talk or screech over 100 Db so can quite easily compete with a good or quality sound system. There seems to be no etiquette or manners as the dancefloor is a place to have a laugh at everyone elses expense & oh! a good set of heels is a must.

Kirsty

Edited March 28, 2017 by Gold Band

[Davenpete]

According to the boss a div is someone who has to rely on the little extra from the divvy (the Coop Dividend) to get by.

We were appalled to see hoards (including some theoretically highly respected people) wondering about in trilbies and those off the peg parkas you get with patches already sewn on when you buy them last time we made it out to a weekender... Fucking kiss me quick plastic dickheads, they'll be the death of the scene far more than loss of numbers or old age - it'll just get turned into a grey motown-pop soul cod-mod characature.

Dx

 

Edited March 28, 2017 by DaveNPete

[Steve L]

19 minutes ago, Russ Vickers said:

It started wayyyyyyyyyyy before the films....the returnees started their come back in the late 9ts onwards & its gradually got worst since.....money is the route of all evil & the BIG promoters want to appeal to the lowest common denominator punters, so they can get as many people into their venues as possible, rest assured tho, that as soon as the last pound note has been wrung from the scene, they'll be off.....until the next time, its a pattern, I'm just looking forward to the next Stafford if my theory is correct, when all the Divs have buggered off lol

Correct about it starting before the films Russ.

On your second point about them all buggering off, I think I've said to you on here before when this topic has been discussed  you'll be waiting a long time cos theres no sign of it happening any time soon. They're here to stay whether we like it or not.

I remember being at a local soul night quite a few years ago and noticing that out of maybe 15/20 people standing near me who I knew well, only 5 of us had any history of the 'proper scene'. The rest have just jumped onto the bandwagon for a safe night out with people their own age. In effect  a large  proportion of  the scene (if you can still call it that) has just become a social night out for the over 50s.

The quality of the music is irrelevant to these people and this is reflected in the lack of atmosphere at a lot of place IMO  - dancers just going through the motions like robots with no obvious passion on display.

The genie's never going back in the bottle I'm afraid

Edited March 28, 2017 by Steve L

[Guest Spain pete]

54 minutes ago, LEN said:

People are fascinating 

Len 

Music is more fascinating🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶👍

[Jez Jones]

37 minutes ago, Russ Vickers said:

It started wayyyyyyyyyyy before the films....the returnees started their come back in the late 9ts onwards & its gradually got worst since.....money is the route of all evil & the BIG promoters want to appeal to the lowest common denominator punters, so they can get as many people into their venues as possible, rest assured tho, that as soon as the last pound note has been wrung from the scene, they'll be off.....until the next time, its a pattern, I'm just looking forward to the next Stafford if my theory is correct, when all the Divs have buggered off lol

Yes it seems 'it was rammed' has become a new essential descriptor, and the 'variety and quality of music was excellent' has slipped down the pecking order a tad..just an observation :-)

Yes I know venues are expensive to hire etc...but are attendance numbers  REALLY the reason people go out and does it now outweigh the quality of music ?

[Steve S 60]

49 minutes ago, jez jones said:

Yes it seems 'it was rammed' has become a new essential descriptor, and the 'variety and quality of music was excellent' has slipped down the pecking order a tad..just an observation :-)

Yes I know venues are expensive to hire etc...but are attendance numbers  REALLY the reason people go out and does it now outweigh the quality of music ?

I've enjoyed myself more at some nights when there's only been a few dozen people in than at some places with hundreds of attendees.

[Guest Budgie55]

2 hours ago, Steve S 60 said:

I think we all wised up pretty quickly back then.  Trouble is, some of these latter day divs don't know any better.  They're surrounded by like minded divs, probably attended the same northern soul dance lessons, buy their uniform from the same online outfitter, and all listen to the same limited playlist.  Like the saying goes, there's no div like an old div.

Divs I am afraid haveall ways been at soul venues i remember when i started going to Wigan and Wakefield in early70ts there was always a few until the( this england documentary )came along. Then you know what hit the fan (Div's)  every where you went divs.and the old  ones who still get dressed up like they are 17 again What's all that about.!!!

[25miles]

20 hours ago, Steve S 60 said:

The only photos I've got from inside the casino were taken on one of these.....

bit up-market or wot !!.............built in flash

got a few picci's from torch with "ice-cube" type flash bulb that slotted on top

 

[Steve S 60]

1 hour ago, 25miles said:

bit up-market or wot !!.............built in flash

got a few picci's from torch with "ice-cube" type flash bulb that slotted on top

 

Just progress I suppose.  I hear there are portable telephones that can take pictures now.

[Kegsy]

2 minutes ago, Steve S 60 said:

Just progress I suppose.  I hear there are portable telephones that can take pictures now.

Good God, next you'll be telling us they have found pottery replacements for vinyl records, Ceramic Discs ?.

[Steve S 60]

34 minutes ago, Kegsy said:

Good God, next you'll be telling us they have found pottery replacements for vinyl records, Ceramic Discs ?.

I've tried them.  They sound rubbish.....

[Kegsy]

1 minute ago, Steve S 60 said:

I've tried them.  They sound rubbish.....

You're playing the wrong side mate, they only have music on one side, think Arctic demo.

[Jez Jones]

Never mind the clenched fist.....this scene seems to have a nice logo.....so own up who is a heavy metal div ? 

[Jez Jones]

2 minutes ago, jez jones said:

Never mind the clenched fist.....this scene seems to have a nice logo.....so own up who is a heavy metal div ? 

 

[Kenb]

5 hours ago, Russ Vickers said:

It started wayyyyyyyyyyy before the films....the returnees started their come back in the late 9ts onwards & its gradually got worst since.....money is the route of all evil & the BIG promoters want to appeal to the lowest common denominator punters, so they can get as many people into their venues as possible, rest assured tho, that as soon as the last pound note has been wrung from the scene, they'll be off.....until the next time, its a pattern, I'm just looking forward to the next Stafford if my theory is correct, when all the Divs have buggered off lol

Hi Russ

It's just worth a quick mention that returnees(retreads) can also have been 'theoneswhowerethere'...but not maybe for the whole time. It doesn't follow that returnees make for a Div (by any definition). 

[Russ Vickers]

8 minutes ago, Kenb said:

Hi Russ

It's just worth a quick mention that returnees(retreads) can also have been 'theoneswhowerethere'...but not maybe for the whole time. It doesn't follow that returnees make for a Div (by any definition).

I agree Ken, didnt intend to tar everyone with the same brush....

 

[Steve S 60]

12 minutes ago, Kenb said:

Hi Russ

It's just worth a quick mention that returnees(retreads) can also have been 'theoneswhowerethere'...but not maybe for the whole time. It doesn't follow that returnees make for a Div (by any definition). 

It's the so called "returnees" who spent 5 minutes on the scene in the '70s, didn't witness how things have evolved over the best part of two decades, then buy into the "Way of Life" being peddled by those looking to cash in on this renewed interest, that can be classed as divs.

[Soulcarp]

On 27/03/2017 at 16:46, jez jones said:

...and that poses an interesting thought

For want of a better word 'bitd'...there was NO cameras. In fact turning up to an allnighter and flashing a camera about...would have been a NO NO....so much so..that it would be 'consider yourself rolled' and bye bye to the camera!!

Hence hardly any pics exist esp pre Wigan. So no record of what it was about..word of mouth and 'folklore' and UNDERGROUND

Imagine the next generation 'googling' Northern soul .....one shudders !!

 

 

 

My view too cameras at a allnighter was a no no now every tom dick & sue what to get dress up and have there photo taken is it the in think let's go div dancing 

[Kenb]

28 minutes ago, Steve S 60 said:

It's the so called "returnees" who spent 5 minutes on the scene in the '70s, didn't witness how things have evolved over the best part of two decades, then buy into the "Way of Life" being peddled by those looking to cash in on this renewed interest, that can be classed as divs.

Well Steve,

I can only speak for myself. I've never 'bought into anyone's way of life' for anything. Not then- and not now. I jettisoned the scene for many reasons, some of which are highlighted in this topic. And although I might not have witnessed first hand how things have evolved over the past two decades, that doesn't mean i lost touch or lost that feel. There are always people keen to cash in-and civilians keen to participate. Most of us know the differences.

[Zed1]

MUCH less about returnees in recent years and more about people joining the scene for the social side. Most had/have little, if any interest in the music, it's more about a night out and late drink with people their own age.

To many wanabee DJ's and not enough bookings means the only way they can get to play out their expensively put together ebay collections is to start their own venue, but given the 'Northern Soul' scene most of us signed up for only ever had a limited appeal then the best way to get new punters through their door is to target these Social Soulies. Hence all the Flyers with 'Cheap Bar Prices' and 'Friendly atmosphere' in bold type but little or nothing said about the actual music policy.

 

 

[jimmy clitheroe]

31 minutes ago, Zed1 said:

MUCH less about returnees in recent years and more about people joining the scene for the social side. Most had/have little, if any interest in the music, it's more about a night out and late drink with people their own age.

To many wanabee DJ's and not enough bookings means the only way they can get to play out their expensively put together ebay collections is to start their own venue, but given the 'Northern Soul' scene most of us signed up for only ever had a limited appeal then the best way to get new punters through their door is to target these Social Soulies. Hence all the Flyers with 'Cheap Bar Prices' and 'Friendly atmosphere' in bold type but little or nothing said about the actual music policy.

 

 

Think you've just about summed it Up Perfectly  

[Geeselad]

45 minutes ago, Zed1 said:

MUCH less about returnees in recent years and more about people joining the scene for the social side. Most had/have little, if any interest in the music, it's more about a night out and late drink with people their own age.

To many wanabee DJ's and not enough bookings means the only way they can get to play out their expensively put together ebay collections is to start their own venue, but given the 'Northern Soul' scene most of us signed up for only ever had a limited appeal then the best way to get new punters through their door is to target these Social Soulies. Hence all the Flyers with 'Cheap Bar Prices' and 'Friendly atmosphere' in bold type but little or nothing said about the actual music policy.

 

 

the one thing the influx hasn't seen is growth in discoveries or even under played oldies, evidencing what many are stating as a lack of real passion for the music from what we describe as returnee's but actually only ever got as far as the youth club.

[Codfromderby]

3 hours ago, Steve S 60 said:

Just progress I suppose.  I hear there are portable telephones that can take pictures now.

don't knock those portable phones, we were at a soul night once and heard a great track we didn't know, I was about to ask the dj what the song was and my mate took out his phone and said, hold on, he then appeared to text his mate and low and behold he sent us the title and artist, never met this bloke out and about, his name shazam or similar, anyone know him

[Steve S 60]

3 minutes ago, codfromderby said:

don't knock those portable phones, we were at a soul night once and heard a great track we didn't know, I was about to ask the dj what the song was and my mate took out his phone and said, hold on, he then appeared to text his mate and low and behold he sent us the title and artist, never met this bloke out and about, his name shazam or similar, anyone know him

There must be a lot of Shazamming going on because some people seem to be permanently glued to their mobile phones at soul nights.

[Codfromderby]

I've met four people at work who claim to have gone to Wigan, all ladies,

I asked the first two what records they remember most, they both said they could not remember

the third one was in her mid forties so must have gone in push chair

the forth one was telling me how she went to nighters at Wigan pier

[Moxey25]

im 50 now been going to soul nights for years but not now .only new century soul to me is worth going to all the rest ruined by idiots in fancy dress

[Liamgp]

Had a lot of people from the late 90s to now telling me they were 'into Northern' and then me asking them (at first enthusiastically but with progressively less and less hope of a sensible response):

'Oh right, great! What events do you go to?'

'What do you mean events?'

'You know, all-nighters or soul nights or soul clubs or whatever'

'Oh I just hear it at nightclubs and pubs and places like that'

'What do they play?'

'Well, you know that one about the Snake and that Do I Love You song and Tainted Love is good but the Soft Cell version is better.'

'Ah, I see...'

'Are you into Northern?'

'Mmmm, a little bit. I've always loved Soul and R&B music'

'R&B? You like R Kelly and Craig David and those people?'

'No. I mean RHYTHM AND BLUES.'

'Did you go to Wigan?'

'No, I missed that. But I used to go to Stafford and Morecambe and Allanton/Shotts and the 100 Club and loads of other places over the years.'

'What are they? Hey, did you wear those baggy trousers and vests and stuff and throw talc around and spin on your head and...'

'Whoops, is that the time? I better be going.'

 

To be absolutely fair, some of them have got more into the scene and got the hang of it, so maybe being a Div is just a natural starting point for many. But if you've been around the scene for more than, say, five years and haven't progressed - oh dear.

 

[Mal C]

Music is for everybody....  that's my opinion. As for Divs, were all divs for paying the current prices of 45s, that said I've stopped buying Northern soul 45s, I'll come back to it,  But I won't pay the prices anymore... 

 

love it all though, oldies, new oldies, undiscovered oldies, exclusive oldies, and plain old oldies... there all old int they... laughs

does that exclude me from being a Div?  What ho! 

 

Edited March 28, 2017 by Mal C

[Guest]

18 hours ago, codfromderby said:

its a bit strange identifying divs, I've been into music mainly soul/northern since 1973, i also like ska/reggae/punk and other stuff, i go out occasionally to soul events, I like a drink when I go out, I've got imho a great soul collection and I've been told a good knowledge of our chosen music.

i was out drinking with some mates a while ago and we ended up talking to two blokes in fred perrys, levis etc who told us they were on the northern scene, and off to a nighter in stoke, me being a nerd and pissed I started talking about music, billy Stewart, Roy Hamilton, Stafford, soul Sam playing at Cleo's in derby late 70s, bootlegs, king tuking modern soul, popcorn you name it,

all they could say was "you don't look like a soulie", and had never heard of any of the records we were talking about apart from "cracking up",

I was wearing a nick drake t shirt at the time

 

Nowt wrong with Nick  Drake!

I like to dance, DJ & partially collect northern soul but number one, i`m a proggie!

I`ll be at the Bridgewater Hall in may to watch Steve Hackett and later in the year (after Cleethorpes weekender) The Australian Pink Floyd Show. 

[Mal C]

3 hours ago, jez jones said:

 

Vegetable rights and peas... sheer class....

[Bruv]

Have you got a light boy!  

[Zed1]

8 minutes ago, Bruv said:

Have you got a light boy!  

Less Hair - More Fat.

[Codfromderby]

1 hour ago, Steve Lane said:

Nowt wrong with Nick  Drake!

I like to dance, DJ & partially collect northern soul but number one, i`m a proggie!

I`ll be at the Bridgewater Hall in may to watch Steve Hackett and later in the year (after Cleethorpes weekender) The Australian Pink Floyd Show. 

strange fact I learned whilst listening to an interview with Greg lake, most music we like is based on African American rthyms, where as prog rock is based around European rhythm's

( you've prompted me, I.m now looking for a can t shirt for my next soul night)

 

 

 

[Guest mvb031259]

Some great comments here, hit the nail straight on the head. We were late comers to the scene and had some brilliant times especially @ The Wheel but even that was ruined for us by not only the so called divs and their "Social" scene but by the free pubs drawing numbers away. Even though the Wheel still gets numbers other venues would die for it was affected in more ways than one. I'm sure other clubs have the same problems, but you can't blame the pubs, it's the punters, many who say they are die hard life long soul lovers, but they would rather be stuck in some back street pub getting legless with wanabee DJ's who would never be accepted at proper Soul venues living the life of a Soul DJ spinning tunes instead of leaving it to the proper DJ's but they just can't turn away the chance to feel important on the scene..... Whilst I'm having my say I find a few comments of promoters on this thread a bit rich as they are part of the problem, putting free venues on, allowing wanabee DJ's behind the decks because they don't have to pay them and promoting Soul events as afternoons of "cavorting", and complaining about the antics of their clientele, what do you expect? The calendar is drowning with two bit Soul events with at best two dozen of their mates frequenting the afternoon/night, taking numbers away from prestigious venues, loose the numbers and the atmosphere goes with it. 

Anyway that's me rant over, from a ex lover of the soul scene who doesn't even bother now because he feels it has stooped so low, I don't want to be associated with a minority of 5T and 6T year old's behaving like 18 year old teenagers cavorting ruining the scene for people who are their for the love of the music....sad really.

[Frankie Crocker]

A lot of illuminating comments appearing in this thread. Seems to me like the underground Soul Scene as we once knew it has now become much more mainstream with Joe Public descending in larger numbers. This is hardly surprising of course given the great music being played. Recent events also have contributed to this namely the demise of popular chart music and the closure of many nightclubs. So, the proliferation of Soul Nights will obviously appeal to ordinary folk out for a drink, particularly if some wannabe promoter/DJ has taken over the pub/village hall whatever... If there were more Allnighters, this could reduce the apparent non-soulie element but I think this is where some of the next converts will come from so it is good to have a few new faces on the sidelines. 

[Guest Budgie55]

4 hours ago, codfromderby said:

I've met four people at work who claim to have gone to Wigan, all ladies,

I asked the first two what records they remember most, they both said they could not remember

the third one was in her mid forties so must have gone in push chair

the forth one was telling me how she went to nighters at Wigan pier

 

4 hours ago, codfromderby said:

I've met four people at work who claim to have gone to Wigan, all ladies,

I asked the first two what records they remember most, they both said they could not remember

the third one was in her mid forties so must have gone in push chair

the forth one was telling me how she went to nighters at Wigan pier

I've met stacks people like that  over the last 30 year's why o why do they do that. As you say must have gone in a push chair they trip them selves up with out realizing sad reallysick of hearing about bloody Wigan Pier.

[Geeselad]

58 minutes ago, Budgie55 said:

 

I've met stacks people like that  over the last 30 year's why o why do they do that. As you say must have gone in a push chair they trip them selves up with out realizing sad reallysick of hearing about bloody Wigan Pier.

just don't get it either,I'd have more respect for somebody who told me they'd got into the scene a month ago.

[Guest]

21 hours ago, Northern Soul UK said:

Blame 'Northern soul' the film and 'Soulboy', they are what brought the 'Divs' flocking to see what it was all about, and since then bootlegs have found a new price range, as the 'Divs' look for records that were in the flims, but haven't got a clue what labels to look for, all they know is that they have been told they are rare and cost a fortune. I see them every day with their plastic T-Shirts and baggy trousers. Any self respecting REAL soulie would never wear a T-shirt with 'Northern Soul Keep The Faith' plastered all over it, in fact any self respecting REAL soulie wouldn't wear anything that said northern Soul on it at all, maybe just a pin badge with his beloved club logo on. OK, I know there were 'Divs' at the Casino etc. but nowhere as near as many as today.

Oh I'm afraid you are so right....It breaks my heart to see something I  loved in my youth that's now pityful and ridiculous. It's a bit like the people who think James Last is jazz, or shawadywady is rock and roll. 

[Northern Soul Uk]

If my calculations are correct, the youngest anyone could be to have gone to the casino is 54. It closed in '81 I believe?, 36 years ago, so add 18 to that, the age that you had to be to get in there legally (I know some were younger), and that's if they only went for the last year it was open. So if anyone says they went, and you doubt they did, ask them how old they are. Failing that ask them what the bloke was called on the cash desk as you paid to go in 

[Codfromderby]

11 minutes ago, Northern Soul UK said:

If my calculations are correct, the youngest anyone could be to have gone to the casino is 54. It closed in '81 I believe?, 36 years ago, so add 18 to that, the age that you had to be to get in there legally (I know some were younger), and that's if they only went for the last year it was open. So if anyone says they went, and you doubt they did, ask them how old they are. Failing that ask them what the bloke was called on the cash desk as you paid to go in 

might not work that one, when I went to Wigan I was so hyped up or otherwise enduring altered states that the boring bits between setting off and hearing your first record when you arrived are a blank

[Liamgp]

5 hours ago, Northern Soul UK said:

If my calculations are correct, the youngest anyone could be to have gone to the casino is 54. It closed in '81 I believe?, 36 years ago, so add 18 to that, the age that you had to be to get in there legally (I know some were younger), and that's if they only went for the last year it was open. So if anyone says they went, and you doubt they did, ask them how old they are. Failing that ask them what the bloke was called on the cash desk as you paid to go in 

Well, people in their early 50s and upwards certainly. I had two mates at school who went from 1979 onwards when they were 14 and they asked me to come - but my carefully planned fib to my mother that we were going on a weekend 'camping trip' fell through when one of the other guy's mums said: 'oh, no they told me they were going to a disco in somewhere called Wigan!' Whoops.

[SOULMAN62]

7 hours ago, Northern Soul UK said:

If my calculations are correct, the youngest anyone could be to have gone to the casino is 54. It closed in '81 I believe?, 36 years ago, so add 18 to that, the age that you had to be to get in there legally (I know some were younger), and that's if they only went for the last year it was open. So if anyone says they went, and you doubt they did, ask them how old they are. Failing that ask them what the bloke was called on the cash desk as you paid to go in 

The bloke I paid my money to, was dressed as a woman !! , the strange world of northern soul . 

[Hornet]

2 hours ago, LiamGP said:

Well, people in their early 50s and upwards certainly. I had two mates at school who went from 1979 onwards when they were 14 and they asked me to come - but my carefully planned fib to my mother that we were going on a weekend 'camping trip' fell through when one of the other guy's mums said: 'oh, no they told me they were going to a disco in somewhere called Wigan!' Whoops.

Did they go same school as codfromdery ! Carnt imagine how A 14 year old can jump the train , pinch A car ,or thumb his way up the M6 @ midnight with just his dinner money , remember my mother letting me stay out late @ the week end when I was 14 so I could go roller skating @ the ideal in Hanley & listen 2 mud on my Walkman !

Edited March 29, 2017 by hornet

[Liamgp]

39 minutes ago, hornet said:

Did they go same school as codfromdery ! Carnt imagine how A 14 year old can jump the train , pinch A car ,or thumb his way up the M6 @ midnight with just his dinner money , remember my mother letting me stay out late @ the week end when I was 14 so I could go roller skating @ the ideal in Hanley & listen 2 mud on my Walkman !

They had a bus from their area which went every week - £2.00 per person all in plus the loan of somebody's membership card (two black bomber 'sweeties' 50p extra!) and whilst I earned enough from my two paper rounds to make it all possible my mother went mental so no go. Some other people's parents didn't mind the thought of their kids buggering off for the whole weekend clearly!  

[Md Records]

Before anyone starts "outing" those that didn't go to the casino, Add 36 & 14 may be fairer. I went twice before the end and remember feeling rough on Monday at school (I'm 52) and there were a few that were younger than me that went (Dave Flynn, Adey Pearce etc) and I'm sure 15 and 16 year olds were not uncommon at the casino

Des

[Guest GeoffB]

What a depressing thread.

"Divs" will always be on the scene, coming and going (with the recent influx "northern soul" in pop culture making it worse than ever) however everyone starts out as a div. You can't expect people to turn up to an event and suddenly be an expert and this elitist mentality of being there since the start is just damaging to the scene. We all get pissed off by handbaggers and that person who's had too much to drink and thinks he can dance but they will come and go. Sitting on a forum and bitching about it achieves nothing but boosting your ego because you're not "one of them".

If you want to influence the scene in a positive way then start to (or continue to) support the venues that you enjoy! Don't bitch behind a computer screen.

[Steve S 60]

2 hours ago, GeoffB said:

What a depressing thread.

"Divs" will always be on the scene, coming and going (with the recent influx "northern soul" in pop culture making it worse than ever) however everyone starts out as a div. You can't expect people to turn up to an event and suddenly be an expert and this elitist mentality of being there since the start is just damaging to the scene. We all get pissed off by handbaggers and that person who's had too much to drink and thinks he can dance but they will come and go. Sitting on a forum and bitching about it achieves nothing but boosting your ego because you're not "one of them".

If you want to influence the scene in a positive way then start to (or continue to) support the venues that you enjoy! Don't bitch behind a computer screen.

I intend to continue supporting the venues I enjoy, but will also continue to express an opinion on this site, thank you. 

[Guest Budgie55]

Not every one starts of as a  div i was brought up listening to early stax.Atlantic.and Motown. with some 60ts mod music thrown in with my parents.So i disagree that every body starts of a div .I knew lads from youthclub days they thought they( part time soulies)then and were dickheads then and still divs now at 60 +  i rest my case

[Guest]

This topic is always popular isn't it. Maybe we need to do something about it? Have an application process or something, make sure people are worthy of Northern Soul. They would have to submit references from eminent soul people and describe what clobber they have in their wardrobes, explain the rudiments of "stomping" and dance floor etiquette, name their favourite Top 20 northern tracks and disqualify them immediately if the list includes Needle in a Haystack and The Snake. They'd have to understand the difference between bootlegs and originals, name at least five radio Soul shows, know the difference between maple sprung and vinyl tile dance floors and understand that handbags are not for skipping round. They'd have to submit a 3000 word essay entitled "What is Northern Soul?", and if their conclusion is that it's a fish with a flat cap, they go in the reject pile. There would have to be a question "Did you ever go to the all nighters at Wigan Pier in the 1970s?". If they say "Me? Oh yeah!", bin 'em off. It's amazing how many people went to the Nighters at Wigan PIER in the 1970s! "Whatever luv!". Having said all that, I know lots of die hard, hard core soul people who wear bowling shirts and big trousers, and ladies in lampshade skirts who bob about on the dance floor like Diddymen? I don't know what we should do? Should we brand their arms with a number, send them to a concentration camp and gas them like Hitler to keep our scene elitist and pure? Is that what our scene represents?

I was 15 when I first went to the Casino. I'm 54 now. I managed it by not buying dinner tickets with my dinner money, and using a £10 a month clothing allowance my mum gave me. I could only afford to go once a month, so it was the Oldies monthly nighter for me. I left the scene more or less when the Casino closed but did go to Morecambe Pier once or twice, and King George's Hall. I returned to the scene in 2004. I walked in, looked around and thought "What a load of divs! Still living in the past! Wearing daft clothes! Overweight beer bellied bald headed blokes who should know better, and ladies who I would have thought would have preferred to stay at home with their kids/grandkids and the X Factor. Get a life! I thought. The qualified hardcore soulies of the time probably looked at me and thought "div". A "Div" stand-off! Divs at dawn, draw your weapons divvies!!!

Hear me out.

Then they played Turning my Heartbeat Up, and as though invisible angels had gathered around me and picked me up, I floated onto the dance floor and that was it. Hooked again! I'm still hooked! Am I a "Div"? Possibly, probably All I know is, I was given the warmest of welcomes and was never made to FEEL like a div? All the people I thought were divs, were the nicest, warmest people I'd met in a long time. And why? Because they'd got soul. And THAT was what the scene used to be about!!

So who ARE the Divs. It's all a question of perspective. Life is full of "Divs" on and off the scene. Judge ye not, you can bet your bottom dollar that in some aspects of your life, others may think you're a complete and utter div yourself.

You'll know me if you see me. I'll be the one in the "A div and proud" T Shirt. Wink, wink. I'm going to post this now and take cover!