Northern Soul Float at the Platinum Jubilee

[Geeselad]

4 hours ago, Blackpoolsoul said:

Richard would not be that stupid

Wouldn't have made any cash out of it. 

[Geeselad]

2 hours ago, Leicester Boy said:

The problem being if knowledgeable people from this forum i.e you and several others had been approached about doing something that reflects the scene more accurately, would it have been acted on or dismissed. Genuine question not having a go.

Hopefully it would have been dismissed. It's not like the media have ever really represented scene in an accurate or complimentary manner in the past. It's really just virtue signifying on part of all that took part. 'Look at me I'm into northern soul'.all should have known better. 

[Modernsoulsucks]

1 hour ago, Steviehay said:

what a total bell 

OK the delivery wasn't great but for an American he had a basic grasp of the history of the scene and the symbol itself.

Maybe he could have been a little more emphatic and stressed that this was just a mistake.

4 minutes ago, Geeselad said:

Hopefully it would have been dismissed. It's not like the media have ever really represented scene in an accurate or complimentary manner in the past. It's really just virtue signifying on part of all that took part. 'Look at me I'm into northern soul'.all should have known better. 

If it had to be done a dj or two doing a spot with a few people waving on the float ?

[Blackpoolsoul]

2 hours ago, Geeselad said:

Wouldn't have made any cash out of it. 

How very dare you 

[Jessie Pinkman]

5 hours ago, Chalky said:

But Jo is a genuine person and knowledgeable and like I said she can only work with what she has at her disposal.  The problem is the older generation cannot and will not represent what they were supposed to be representing, a young athletic, cool dance scene, underground and edgy.  

I was under the impression that Wayne Hemmingway of Red or Dead fame was in charge of the Northern Soul section but I could be wrong

[Steviehay]

33 minutes ago, Blackpoolsoul said:

How very dare you 

i can see a float now with Blackpool tower on it !!1

[Jonko]

On 06/06/2022 at 19:51, Tomangoes said:

Just saw this..

 

The Platinum Jubilee Pageant Company apologised. It said: “This is a genuine mistake and we apologise for the offence caused. The act intended to represent the Twisted Wheel Club associated with Northern Soul music from 60s and 70s, and the symbol was unfortunately mislabeled on search engines.

This is an error with no malicious intent. Anyone who has seen the Pageant will know that the Pageant is all about inclusivity, tolerance and unity and this symbol does not correlate with anything it stands for.”

Ed

If was an incorrect badge why was it even put on the wagon? Surely if whoever organised it were a ~Northern soul fan. then they would have seen the mistake and not included on the float!

Edited June 8, 2022 by jonko

[Jonko]

I knew it was a mistake when I first saw the post about someone making a Northern Soul float for the pageant. They should never of done one anyway - who wants to be associated with the jubilee. What has the queen ever done for us working class soul lads. Naff all. Abolish the monarchy! 

[Tony Smith]

On 05/06/2022 at 23:44, Corbett80 said:

To be fair i had never seen or heard of that symbol before but you wonder why no one asked what it was. 

Reich on!

You are only 12 though, us older people with grandads that went on about those Nazis and going about our long hair and sexy pop music will have remembered 

[Tony Smith]

6 hours ago, Jessie Pinkman said:

I was under the impression that Wayne Hemmingway of Red or Dead fame was in charge of the Northern Soul section but I could be wrong

He must be an expert, having he’s got 3 mmms

[Blackpoolsoul]

On 05/06/2022 at 20:33, Corbett80 said:

That job would of been farmed out to a poor intern researcher on pennies probably working till midnight the night before.

But how no one managed to double check or ask between that and the printers and the delivery etc etc is mind boggling.

Northern soul - the scene that will last for a thousand years…

I have found a reply and apology which it appears has been universally accepted by all and should clear up the matter on here, I think

"Morning everyone. Thank you so much for the best wishes for the op. I got home safe and sound last night and I'm now an ace on crutches

The main reason for this post is that I've been brought up to speed on yesterday's media, Twitter and FB comments surrounding the use of the Sonnenrad symbol on the Northern Soul float.

These are the facts. I worked closely with the appointed designer to ensure that the 'scene' was properly and respectfully represented and I chose the images that I thought would best do the job - bearing in mind the space allocated around the bottom of the float. I saw the final 'artists impression' of the float and the symbol wasn't present. Everything looked fine and I approved it.

However, the designer went on holiday two weeks before the event and it appears that their designs were overridden. The artwork that I saw was on a white 'skirt' around the bottom of the flatbed with the artwork on it. I got special permission from Ady Croasdell to include the 6Ts logo and the membership card - a hugely important symbol of the 'scene'.

As I don't have a telly, I watched as much of the parade as I could via the free Sky News videos on Twitter and saw a small part of the 70's including the Gay Pride and the Northern Soul flatbed. The part I saw had the dancers and a few badges. I didn't watch after that. The addition of the symbol was brought to my attention by Theresa Manship later that evening. I immediately contacted both organisers and the designers and that part is still being investigated. The Platinum Jubilee Pageant have issued an apology but not to me or the 'scene'. I cannot begin to tell you the effect this has had on me. I was completely mortified that someone without the appropriate knowledge of the scene had undertaken to Google 'The Twisted Wheel' (after being sent an image of one of the original badges) and decided to add their interpretation to the flat bed. After Theresa told me, I felt sick when I knew that this symbol had been added and what peoples reactions would be - the shame to the scene, the embarrassment to the dancers on the float, the 'scene' thinking I'd let them down, the disappointment that the one time I had to get it right, this happens and it being hinted that I was a white supremacist for allowing this to happen. Let alone the float being paraded past the Royal Family and being beamed out via 1 billion people.

I have been working for months to make sure everything was as good as it could be on the day - the bus, the disco roller skaters, the celebrities, the hula hoopers, the Gay Pride, the Northern Soul dancers - the list goes on. My intentions have always been to have something out there that would make people proud to be part of a scene that has been their life. I wanted everything to be seen so perfectly and correctly that people could see it on telly and say 'I was there' or 'Glad Northern Soul is being represented'.

I have attached the final assets/badges that I sent through for use and there's a copy of some of my notes. This is what happens when people don't follow my specific instructions and override my comments and intentions.

I'd like to thank everyone for their messages of support and those who defended me when I was under the gas.

All I can do is offer a huge, personal apology for the upset and shock this has caused people and I'm just sorry that I wasn't there to make sure it didn't happen.

Jo xx"

 

[Leicester Boy]

49 minutes ago, Blackpoolsoul said:

I have found a reply and apology which it appears has been universally accepted by all and should clear up the matter on here, I think

"Morning everyone. Thank you so much for the best wishes for the op. I got home safe and sound last night and I'm now an ace on crutches

The main reason for this post is that I've been brought up to speed on yesterday's media, Twitter and FB comments surrounding the use of the Sonnenrad symbol on the Northern Soul float.

These are the facts. I worked closely with the appointed designer to ensure that the 'scene' was properly and respectfully represented and I chose the images that I thought would best do the job - bearing in mind the space allocated around the bottom of the float. I saw the final 'artists impression' of the float and the symbol wasn't present. Everything looked fine and I approved it.

However, the designer went on holiday two weeks before the event and it appears that their designs were overridden. The artwork that I saw was on a white 'skirt' around the bottom of the flatbed with the artwork on it. I got special permission from Ady Croasdell to include the 6Ts logo and the membership card - a hugely important symbol of the 'scene'.

As I don't have a telly, I watched as much of the parade as I could via the free Sky News videos on Twitter and saw a small part of the 70's including the Gay Pride and the Northern Soul flatbed. The part I saw had the dancers and a few badges. I didn't watch after that. The addition of the symbol was brought to my attention by Theresa Manship later that evening. I immediately contacted both organisers and the designers and that part is still being investigated. The Platinum Jubilee Pageant have issued an apology but not to me or the 'scene'. I cannot begin to tell you the effect this has had on me. I was completely mortified that someone without the appropriate knowledge of the scene had undertaken to Google 'The Twisted Wheel' (after being sent an image of one of the original badges) and decided to add their interpretation to the flat bed. After Theresa told me, I felt sick when I knew that this symbol had been added and what peoples reactions would be - the shame to the scene, the embarrassment to the dancers on the float, the 'scene' thinking I'd let them down, the disappointment that the one time I had to get it right, this happens and it being hinted that I was a white supremacist for allowing this to happen. Let alone the float being paraded past the Royal Family and being beamed out via 1 billion people.

I have been working for months to make sure everything was as good as it could be on the day - the bus, the disco roller skaters, the celebrities, the hula hoopers, the Gay Pride, the Northern Soul dancers - the list goes on. My intentions have always been to have something out there that would make people proud to be part of a scene that has been their life. I wanted everything to be seen so perfectly and correctly that people could see it on telly and say 'I was there' or 'Glad Northern Soul is being represented'.

I have attached the final assets/badges that I sent through for use and there's a copy of some of my notes. This is what happens when people don't follow my specific instructions and override my comments and intentions.

I'd like to thank everyone for their messages of support and those who defended me when I was under the gas.

All I can do is offer a huge, personal apology for the upset and shock this has caused people and I'm just sorry that I wasn't there to make sure it didn't happen.

Jo xx"

 

For me , I feel that statement is more than adequate to put this to bed. Sometimes s..t happens without bad intent. Let him without sin cast the first stone etc, let's not destroy lives over mistakes. 

[Zoomsoulblue]

I'm just sorry that I wasn't there to make sure it didn't happen.
 

And there’s you’re answer -

[Bunderthollox]

 

Northern Soul Culture? Where was The Owl ?

 

[Geeselad]

55 minutes ago, Bunderthollox said:

 

Northern Soul Culture? Where was The Owl ?

 

Good point, tbh the whole presentation looked cheap and tacky. The design seemed non existent, something I could get a bunch of year 9 lads to knock up in an afternoon. The amount of creative people on the scene, it really was piss poor in every way. the Azov boys logo was just part of it. If you saw it at a local carnival it would be the worst float there, let alone the jubilee. 

[Chalky]

What Blackpoolsoul posted is what Jo posted Sunday or Monday. Since then there has been a full apology from the Jubilee Committee. 

[Vivien Melia]

Hang on to your precious memories those of you who lived through the real scene, it was gone long ago, we know how it really was, another time entirely to today. Lifes meant to evolve, but we had the best of it no doubt about that. Its a sad caricature of itself now.

[Wiggyflat]

I think people just can't say no to the media no matter what it is....i was asked if i could wear more Northern Soul clothes for Fake Britain...they got a curt F Off ........Media bits i enjoyed....Earsay on Morecombe with Richard and John Vincent....Whistle Test on Blackburn....thought Danni Behr was taking the piss with the butcher collector...Something Else with the Skelmersdale kids was good. Even the one on Phil Dick was okay Chasing Rainbows .....I like This England....then we get to The One Show and Jubilee Pageants and dancing on stage. Its all about the trousers and look at me rather than the music.  

[lincsmod1970]

Oops! 

Edited June 15, 2022 by lincsmod1970
Edit

[lincsmod1970]

Oh dear! 

Edited June 15, 2022 by lincsmod1970
Edit

[Woodbutcher]

5 minutes ago, lincsmod1970 said:

No sign of it on my TV pictures from the day?? Photo took from my TV. 

Same float, same front image. 

So WHERE is it?? 

Try the other side ... 

[Mike]

here are

just put a clip up of the actual coverage together...

 

 

 

[Tomangoes]

Kin el

A dodgy badge on the truck as well....God knows what symbol would have gone on for the torch....probably held in the hand of somebody in a white cloak.

Ed

[Kathryn Magson]

On 06/06/2022 at 09:09, Frankie Crocker said:

I always thought Northern Soul was an underground scene confined to dark basements. Whoever thought it would be a smart idea to have a pratt's disco on the back of a lorry, should have given it a bit more thought, then scrapped the whole idea. 

Well said Frankie - my thoughts exactly! Cat's been out of the bag for too long now though - sadly it'll never be an underground scene again. Northern's like the new line dancing now. 

Edited June 17, 2022 by Kathryn Magson

[Chalky]

out of the bag? It hasn't been underground for decades, the last proper underground period was probably the 80s

[Blackpoolsoul]

1 hour ago, Kathryn Magson said:

Well said Frankie - my thoughts exactly! Cat's out out of the bag now though - sadly it'll never be an underground scene again. Northern's like the new line dancing now. 

Mike nearly suspended me for mentioning line dancing 

[Tomangoes]

I thought the space hopper fans were typical eccentric brits.

Lots of uk artists made some classic norvun..

Kiki Dee, Chapter Five, Dusty, the glitter band, Julian covay....fame at last!

Ed

[Geeselad]

1 hour ago, Tomangoes said:

I thought the space hopper fans were typical eccentric brits.

Lots of uk artists made some classic norvun..

Kiki Dee, Chapter Five, Dusty, the glitter band, Julian covay....fame at last!

Ed

Listening to the glitter band will make you blind, mate.

[Kathryn Magson]

On 08/06/2022 at 10:18, Chalky said:

The scene never comes out of anything like this looking good.  Whenever the scene is put on show it just comes across as naff with ageing people who think they can still dance looking frankly silly rather than the athletic dancer they should be dressed in clothes that make them look like some sort of naff act rather than a serious underground cool music scene.  I know it hasn't been cool for a long time, its long since been hijacked by divs and wallies wanting their 15 minutes of fame turning the scene into the parody it is, the kind of people we went to nighters to get away from.

I know people work hard on these things and I know the organisers can only work with what they are presented with but as usual it turned into one big div fest with the naffest choice of songs.  One of the great music scenes of any generation made to look totally naff once more.  And to top it off we are now tainted as being some sort of nazi group.

Well said Chalky - sad isn't it?

[Chalky]

On 16/06/2022 at 19:26, Kathryn Magson said:

Well said Chalky - sad isn't it?

Terribly sad.  For all its faults it is a scene I love dearly, I hate to see the way it is portrayed and hijacked.

[Tomangoes]

My first all nighter...Oct 76 CWG. Absolute loved it and as a newly turned 15 year old 4th year, one of the youngest there.

However, it was baggy trousers, vests and badges. White socks, and largely uniformed.

Lots of pop played in with the serious stuff.

In recent years I've read a lot of stuff about the 1969 intake who were at the crossover into this new named scene, and lots packing up by 74 or 75 quoting its now a circus.

What a contrast. I think its great, they think its turned crap.

It's ebbed and flowed over the years for sure.

Any 'progression' is snails pace with much more interest in nostalgia.

Aside from the wrong symbol etc, in my opinion, the float, the music, the dancers, the clothes, give a reasonable account of what Northern Soul WAS when I joined the scene.

Just you tube Northern Soul nights and even very recent events mostly reflect the very substance of what's being criticised here.

For every 100 club, there's the local club times 100.

Cutting edge, underground, no nonsense, serious ovoid, etc etc. As rare as the rarities they play.

If I see an old punk, rock and roller, or new romantic dressed in original attire  I do have a little smirk. It's inevitable the same applies to Nothern Soul from folks outside, and obviously from this post, some inside.

Ed

[Davebanks]

On 17/06/2022 at 19:48, Tomangoes said:

My first all nighter...Oct 76 CWG. Absolute loved it and as a newly turned 15 year old 4th year, one of the youngest there.

However, it was baggy trousers, vests and badges. White socks, and largely uniformed.

Lots of pop played in with the serious stuff.

In recent years I've read a lot of stuff about the 1969 intake who were at the crossover into this new named scene, and lots packing up by 74 or 75 quoting its now a circus.

What a contrast. I think its great, they think its turned crap.

It's ebbed and flowed over the years for sure.

Any 'progression' is snails pace with much more interest in nostalgia.

Aside from the wrong symbol etc, in my opinion, the float, the music, the dancers, the clothes, give a reasonable account of what Northern Soul WAS when I joined the scene.

Just you tube Northern Soul nights and even very recent events mostly reflect the very substance of what's being criticised here.

For every 100 club, there's the local club times 100.

Cutting edge, underground, no nonsense, serious ovoid, etc etc. As rare as the rarities they play.

If I see an old punk, rock and roller, or new romantic dressed in original attire  I do have a little smirk. It's inevitable the same applies to Nothern Soul from folks outside, and obviously from this post, some inside.

Ed

I chuckled when I read this, how true. I was one of the 16 yearolds in 1969 that ventured wide eyed into the world of NS. By the time baggy trousers and vests came in we had retreated back into our own small clubs. Baggy trousers and the anything goes type dancing I find embarrassing. NS is still the only music for me and I still get a kick out of listening to new sounds but now this is done on the internet.

Each to their own but the original NS movement was built on "cool"; Levis and Ben Shermans and to be really cool your Mum had embroidered the OKeh logo on the pocket.

Dave Banks

 

[Leicester Boy]

2 hours ago, Davebanks said:

I chuckled when I read this, how true. I was one of the 16 yearolds in 1969 that ventured wide eyed into the world of NS. By the time baggy trousers and vests came in we had retreated back into our own small clubs. Baggy trousers and the anything goes type dancing I find embarrassing. NS is still the only music for me and I still get a kick out of listening to new sounds but now this is done on the internet.

Each to their own but the original NS movement was built on "cool"; Levis and Ben Shermans and to be really cool your Mum had embroidered the OKeh logo on the pocket.

Dave Banks

 

The vast majority of people at dos wear normal clothes. Some wear vests and baggies but each to there own. Personally I'm more Lacoste than vests but in a world of many problems the width of someone's strides certainly don't bother me. 

[Geeselad]

On 19/06/2022 at 10:33, Leicester Boy said:

The vast majority of people at dos wear normal clothes. Some wear vests and baggies but each to there own. Personally I'm more Lacoste than vests but in a world of many problems the width of someone's strides certainly don't bother me. 

I wise man once said; ' never judge a man by the width of his trousers''. The clobber does get jumped on perhaps unfairly, but it's perhaps symbolic of the disenchantment many feel about the scene and it's obsession with nostalgia rather than the music.

[Leicester Boy]

7 minutes ago, Geeselad said:

I wise man once said; ' never judge a man by the width of his trousers''. The clobber does get jumped on perhaps unfairly, but it's perhaps symbolic of the disenchantment many feel about the scene and it's obsession with nostalgia rather than the music.

I take that point, just think the vest and baggies thing gets over used. 

[Paul-s]

On 14/06/2022 at 19:07, Source said:

here are

just put a clip up of the actual coverage together...

 

 

 

OMG. Speechless, but not surprised.

[Mike]

mainstream

 

[Tomangoes]

My son went to Glastonbury about 5 years ago...when the WHO played.

He said there was a NS tent there with folks floating in and out.

Ed

[Petesi]

I guess that we really need to accept that what we, or possibly I, remember of the scene ( 72-79) no longer exists its a far different place BUT at least some still try to keep the fires burning hence a lot of the north of England stick to the old ways . Then  sometimes or most times to be more accurate, the regular Joe/ media  get involved and get it  horribly wrong! But hey ho we got a mention and I guess that counts for something.

[Tomangoes]

Absolutely agree...proud to be a member of the Northern Soul CREW.

CANT REALLY EXPLAIN WHY...

Charlie likes the three degrees...so obviously he gets down to CONTACT..

Only vest I ever wore was a battleship grey pit vest...but each to their own.

Ed

[Soulboyrecords]

On 08/06/2022 at 10:18, Chalky said:

The scene never comes out of anything like this looking good.  Whenever the scene is put on show it just comes across as naff with ageing people who think they can still dance looking frankly silly rather than the athletic dancer they should be dressed in clothes that make them look like some sort of naff act rather than a serious underground cool music scene.  I know it hasn't been cool for a long time, its long since been hijacked by divs and wallies wanting their 15 minutes of fame turning the scene into the parody it is, the kind of people we went to nighters to get away from.

I know people work hard on these things and I know the organisers can only work with what they are presented with but as usual it turned into one big div fest with the naffest choice of songs.  One of the great music scenes of any generation made to look totally naff once more.  And to top it off we are now tainted as being some sort of nazi group.

Couldn't agree more. I cringe when I see folks in their 60's and 70's in spencer bags and vests 'getting down'. Don't get me wrong It's great that they keep loving the music and dancing but please no videos on YTUBE or Dancing in the town square to a ghetto blaster...