The Worst Journey To Wigan!?

[Guest Mrs Simsy]

So did anyone have a non eventful journey to Wigan?!

[Guest Andy Newbold]

As a 24yr old i would give anything to have gone to Wigan even just once but after reading your journey stories i must say i'm glad that i go most places in my dads car. Saying that i bet you had some fantastic times...

I'm just glad I made it through those days some of the stunts I've seen pulled.

It's nice to see some younger peeps carrying on the scene. Us old farts keep trying to regress to our teenage years but alas you often here "Feet Don't Fail Me Now" coming from the dance floor

[Guest Andy Newbold]

So did anyone have a non eventful journey to Wigan?!

I once went and it was closed! Dam wrong night

[Guest Mrs Simsy]

I'm just glad I made it through those days some of the stunts I've seen pulled.

It's nice to see some younger peeps carrying on the scene. Us old farts keep trying to regress to our teenage years but alas you often here "Feet Don't Fail Me Now" coming from the dance floor

Well i've been brought up on soul. First record i remember hearing is "Right back where we started from" i think i was about 4, dancing in the kitchen with my dad! I just love northern, i love walking into a nighter & the hairs on the back of my neck stand up!

[Guest martyn]

So did anyone have a non eventful journey to Wigan?!

No, it was'nt possible...............God knows I tried

[Peter99]

I'm just glad I made it through those days some of the stunts I've seen pulled.

It's nice to see some younger peeps carrying on the scene. Us old farts keep trying to regress to our teenage years but alas you often here "Feet Don't Fail Me Now" coming from the dance floor

Old farts - you speak for yourself!

I was only nine when I went and am therefore still very young!

[Dunc]

So did anyone have a non eventful journey to Wigan?!

Not uneventful but a rather interesting one.

Decided to thumb a lift down one night and was picked up by a local plain clothes policeman in his unmarked Transit van......................... who said he was going to The Casino as well

We had a good chat on the way down and then parked up in the car park. We said our goodbyes and then I joined the queue.

He walked straight up the stairs showed his badge and went in. TIGHT B*GGER

Did not see him again after that

[Guest gordon russell]

this was not my worst trip,but kind of funny.wonder if any of you out there was on the same coach. we used to get a coach from the cats in wolverhampton run by shaun and sharon dyke from gloucester. this particular night as we headed up the M.6 we were stopped by a traffic cop. did'nt know why at first so as his blue light came on to stop the coach,everyone was frantically necking their gear, green n clears, bombers and god knows what else was flying all over the gaff.When the coach stopped this copper got on and told the coach driver he was driving to fast and to slow down....that was it ...slow down. It gets better when we got to the services, we pulled up and was immediately surrounded by coppers, cop cars,dog vans you name it they brung it. straight away an inspector got on and said we were not to move as the coach was going to be searched for DRUGS. No sooner had he said this to a coach load of people out of their nuts,than the song of a current advert burst forth. GIMME MINT CRACKNEL,I DON'T CARE.GIMME MINT CRACKNEL ,I DON'T CARE. GIMME MINT CRACKNEL,I DON'T CARE.....it'll take those BLUES away....needless to say they never found so much as an asprin,but what was funnier,they could'nt understand why. such a shame they never knew about the traffic cop...probably the only time in my life that I have been glad to be stopped by a copper ho bloody ho ho

[Miss Wasperella]

I remember one time we all got settled on the coach and the police surrounded us got on board and told the driver to take us to the police station - there we were strip searched and I mean strip searched - being only 15 (nearly 16) both myself and my best mate were called into separate rooms next to each other - I recall we had long skirts on with the pettycoat showing, blouse, ankle socks, cornish pastie shoes and long leather coats - they made my friend take all her clothes off spread her legs and bend over - well I must have had somebody who was nice because they allowed me to keep the pettycoat on - we watched them feel there way through all the hems on each atricle of clothing (we had been going to Wigan for about 3 months when this happened). We eventually got to Wigan about 04:30am still in shock

About a year and a half later we used to run buses and we would have 22 people on a 12 seater mini bus - we'd be laying down in the isles and practically under the drivers feet - how dangerous it all seems now

On one journey back the mini bus was making a rather strange squeaking sound - we all woke up and eveyone was trying to trace where the sound was coming from - someone shouted the back axle is working its way from underneath the bus - I dread to think what could have happened had that person not shouted as I think the driver was half asleep driving it - another 1/2 mile there would have been a serious accident

Oh the good old days - such fun we had - but realising now danger was never far behind.....

[Souljazera]

with sputnik brady!!!!!

[Jerry Hipkiss]

So did anyone have a non eventful journey to Wigan?!

Yes, my first ever! I'd been doing a birthday party disco, and we went up from Cheltenham on the spur of the moment - I'd had a couple of beers before, fell asleep as we hit the motorway and woke up as we pulled into Station Road!

The journey home was a nightmare though - but that's another story....

[Harry Crosby]

MY MATE ANDY SCOTT, PASSED HIS DRIVING TEST ON THE FRIDAY, AND DECIDED TO TAKE US TO WIGAN FROM YORK ON THE SATURDAY, HE HAD A FORD CAPRI WITH THOSE RING CLIPS INSTEAD OF A BONNET CATCH ON EACH SIDE OF THE BONNET, SO WERE FLYING DOWN THE M62, GOING OVER THE PENINES NEAR WERE THAT FARM WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE M62,IS THAT STILL THERE? UP THE NEXT HILL AND FLYING DOWN THE NEXT WHEN SUDDENLY THE BONNET FLIES UP OVER THE WINDSCREEN IN THE OUTSIDE LANE, SHOULD OF HEARD US ALL SCREAM IT WAS LIKE THEM SCREAMS ON A ROLLERCOASTER, HE GOT US OUT OF IT DON`T KNOW HOW, MY MATE WHO WAS IN THE BACK STILL SAYS TO THIS DAY THAT WAS THE BEST SPEED RUSH HE`S EVER HAD

[Guest]

About 1974 me and the brother in law decided at about midnight that we WOULD go this week, the rest of the lads went around 10pm and we were going to give it a miss that week for reasons I cant remember so Martins (bro in law) van which would be our usual mode of transport had been borrowed by the others......we had to hitch it but seeing as we had had our "Medication" and PLENTY of it!!! it didnt faze us at all, in fact we were raring to go.

This was a trip from Accrington....at midnight when roads werent as busy as they are now so we knew we had lots of tabbing ahead of us.

We walked along the A59 all the way to the M6 at Samlesbury which is around 12 miles or so, then we got a lift down the 6 to the Wigan turn off and in no time we were paying our 60p or whatever it was.

Great night followed even though it must have been 4 ish when we arrived.

Now for the return journey, no room in the van and no one seemed bothered about giving us a lift, funny how the "Do anything for anybody" attitude wears off in the morning

Once again no lift until the M6....we walked (Trudged!) all the way to Charnock Richard Services and then went around all the cars and wagons trying to beg a lift North.

An old couple in a Reliant Robin came to our rescue........now then..... I had never had the experience of riding in one of Satans Death Traps before so this was a truely unique experience .............like being strapped in a biscuit tin with a road drill and thrown off blackpool tower

Imagine coming down from copious amounts of said medications and having to endure this completely terrifying 10 mile journey?

We were both Catatonic when the bloke dropped us off back at Samlesbury and we then walked back the 12 odd miles home......without uttering a word.

I still have nightmares today!!

[Guest Mrs Simsy]

Yes, my first ever! I'd been doing a birthday party disco, and we went up from Cheltenham on the spur of the moment - I'd had a couple of beers before, fell asleep as we hit the motorway and woke up as we pulled into Station Road!

The journey home was a nightmare though - but that's another story....

[Guest nubes]

Still see Phil fairly often, still in Leicester knocking about with Gaz Keen

Now that is another name from the past .....Delxx

[Guest Scarborosoul]

I'm just glad I made it through those days some of the stunts I've seen pulled.

It's nice to see some younger peeps carrying on the scene. Us old farts keep trying to regress to our teenage years but alas you often here "Feet Don't Fail Me Now" coming from the dance floor

STUNTS YOU TW@T!!!

you mean like screaming up the road with yr bestest buddy in his skiddies on yr bonnett!!! OR swapping birds in Withernsea and leaving me the one with jisum down her mush??? and then taking the piss for weeks afterwards. SHALL I go on or is that enough????

[harpo1]

wE HEARD ABOUT A VAN THAT WENT FROM WILLENHALL SO TRIED IT ONE WEEK, ALL I'LL SAY IS THE REGULARS DID NOT SUBSCRIBE TO OUR WEEKLY MODUS OPERANDI AND WE SPENT THE JOURNEY THERE BEING AS COMPLIANT AS POSS. HOWEVER IN THE MORNING WE DID THEM ALL IN., FINALLY THEY JUST CRAWLED BENEATH THEIR HOLDALLS ...WE WERE NOT ASKED BACK

[celthomas]

ABOUT 1976 COMMING FROM THE CASINO,

AS WE GOT TO THE FIRST TRAFFIC LIGHTS,A HELL OF A SKID AND f*** OF A BANG

SMASH,SOME POOR LAD FROM GLOUCESTER HAD NICKED HIS FATHERS CAR AND SMASHED IN TO OUR CAR(POOR LAD HE WAS IN A HELL OF A STATE)

WHO ARE YOU!

ARE YOU OR YOUR MATE'S ON SOUL SOURCE

CEL THOMAS

[Paul Conroy]

worst journey to Wigan???, there were a few, Where do I start

1) 6 of us travelling from Gateshead in Toma,s ,Robin Reliant,to say it was a bit cramped is a understatement

2) When our bus passed a load of Hell's Angels on the M62, some were getting towed so we decieded to give them a wave with 2 fingers!!!, well some time later we pulled into Birch Services as usual, and some time later who also pulled in , our dear friends!! we passed earlier, did'nt realise that the mens cubicle could hold 20 people

3) Every time we went on one of Duncans buses, the man is a maniac, could'nt relax at all in case you became the but of his merrymaking like shaving your eyebrows off, covering you in makeup etc etc etc

4) I'm sure something happened in Kirby Stephen, come to think of it something happened in Kirby Stephen everytime we stopped there, I'm sure we got barred

Paul Conroy

Tyneside Soul Promotions

[celthomas]

Could well of been "Ikey" Drew! he borrowed cars on a regular basis not on here though, another Gloucester lad that could have his own chapter in the forthcoming novel!

Steve

thanks steve,

ask him if you see him

cel thomas

[Guest Roddy]

I had a few memorable journeys down from Scotland. mostly shitting myself that my mum and dad would find out where i was all night. I remember hitching down once and arriving pissed as I had been picked up by a couple of squadies who stopped in every pub they could after carlisle.

But the worst was when I was 16 I got the train down from Dumfries where I had been playing rugby (not in the usual Edinburgh van/bus/minibus) the train journey got me down around 8pm theres me in my bags, oxfords, wedge haircut and holdal promoting soul from all over the placehiding all over the town from the locals till I could get in with a crowd near Station Road.

Ah happy days

[Guest soulfullbabe]

i remember bout 78/79 going to wigan on the coach from nottm stopping at the pub on the uttoxiter road to use the loo,s they wouldnt let us in so we all went in the veg patch round the back after peeing like a cart horse i came round the front only to see the tail lights of the coach way in the distance the buggers had forgot about me and left me behind!!!!!! we laughed for weeks after that and it still makes me chuckle Happy days.

[Jerry Hipkiss]

Could well of been "Ikey" Drew! he borrowed cars on a regular basis not on here though, another Gloucester lad that could have his own chapter in the forthcoming novel!

Steve

Ikey Drew....well, there's another hundred or so stories eh Steve!?

[Guest martinsbox]

Worst journey to Wigan Casino!! (please note this journey was in thick snow)

1. Bus from Bedford to Kempston.

2. Thumbed it from Kempston to motorway.

3. Thumbed it up motorway . . . got dropped off by an Asian at Leicester Forest . . . not Watford Gap as promised.

4. Thumbed it back from L.F. to Watford Gap.

5. Ended up getting a National Express Coach to Wigan (via Will's Mothers), but charged from Luton!!!!

6. Arrived inside the Casino at gone 6 a.m.

7. Thumbed it back at the end of the night to Bedford.

Some good nights though thumbing it . . .

One November night . . .

As usual in the Seventies, it seems a long time ago now, I would scan either the 'Blues & Soul' or 'Black Echoes' northern events pages for somewhere to go that weekend. It wasn't every week, that we all chose were to go at the weekends. The usual mid-week Soul night in 1978 was then held every Thursday night, at The International Club in Kempston (not far from the Soul nights of today - The Kempston Rovers). The Club was owned by two Indian blokes and they used to let the function / back room out to two great guy's by the name of Frank and Danny from Bedford who also supplied the disco gear (these two also used to spin their tunes, usually jazz/funk, Mecca tunes etc. at The Pilgrims Inn in Bedford every Sunday night). The D.J.'s of the day in our area were as enthusiastic then, as they were young and included Tommy Taylor, Stuart 'Groover' Green, Tony Warot, Hammy, Rug and Mick Smith. The crowd of the day came from much the same catchment area as today's scene ie. Bedford, St. Neots, Rushden, Northampton, Kettering, Hitchin etc. in fact a few of those still make it today - a little greyer or thinner on top - but still there drinking the pints and shining theirs soles out on the dance floor.

But this was mid-week, there were no hindrances at the weekend with the likes of Soul nights - weekends were for All-Nighters and the odd All-Dayer when they turned up. One Friday each month was almost always taken up with the Oldies All-Nighter at Wigan, so that date was almost always booked in advance. That usually left three weekends, of which two were taken up at an East Anglian Soul Club All-Nighter (then The Fleet Centre, Peterborough), so down to one weekend in a month . . . . . were do we go . . . Coalville - Sheffield - Colwyn Bay ?? It all depended on how things fell that month. Remembering, in those days we had All-Nighters on Fridays as well as the following Saturday and sometimes two events on both nights in one weekend. In those days, there were still plenty of the days youth (the 'Older' and 'Wiser' one's then called us 'Kids') making their way around without the heavy weight of marriages, mortgages, kids and car repayments etc . . . . in other words, we were free and easy and free to go were we wanted (if we could get there). The main route to All-Nighters in those days for me (if I couldn't get a lift) was by 'thumbing-it'. Looking back, we took a few risks, but nothing compared to today . . . perhaps! But we were young and by heck, we didn't care. The main thing in those days was reaching our goal and getting to the do's for opening time. The hardest part, more-so than actually getting there, was the arduous journey home in the bleak light of morning after a night of excessive dancing. Feet still aching and a definite lack of sleep, it was a tall mountain to climb.

But one Friday night on 17th November 1978, having decided that that was were I was heading, it was off to one of the Casino's mid-month Oldies. This month the theme was Torch & Mecca sounds and I was off on the road once again, just me and my thumb. As the norm. it would be bus to Kempston (I was living in Bedford at the time), then a walk down the A421, 'Nighter' bag over shoulder and arm out with my thumb vitually disjointed, trying desperate to catch the next vehicle passing to get a lift to the M1 (juction 13) a few miles further down the road. Please note that most of this road had no footpaths and was mostly of discoloured soggy grass verges. Anyone who has ever 'thumbed-it', will appreciate what I mean when I say, that fresh socks and shoes were required for the outward journey!! At the M1 jct. 13 there was hardly ever a queue of hikers so this part never took more than 20 - 30 minutes to get a lift. Once the lift was obtained I'd try to continue my ritual and make my way along to the usual stopping place - Watford Gap sevices. On arrival I'd usually have a cup of tea, top up on the chewies etc. and back to the M1 slip road. Once at the slip road, unlike at the Bedford turn, there would usually be a queue - Hippy types, Armed Forces, Transport workers, so it was like, take your turn and hope that the ones in front soon got their awaited lift rather sharpish to make way for your turn. But then once it was your turn, it was still hit and miss that someone was going your way (but that's another story). After perhaps a few lifts the signs appear for (M6) Wigan and eventually I get dropped off on the slip for Wigan. It was then a long walk into Wigan town centre (I never did get a lift from the motorway into town), turn right down Station Road from the Town centre and on to the Casino Club just around the corner.

The only one at Wigan tonight from Bedford - me - and what the heck, it was like most Nighters, you always knew someone from somewhere and if not (a rare occassion) then you'd always know someone or other sooner or later that night, the scene was just that friendly and we all had so much in common . . . . a thing you never get anywhere else!

Once inside, the place was buzzing, but unlike the usual first Friday of the month Oldies, tonight there were only 600 - 700 Souls at the most. This being the case, there was ample room for dancing. Usually you were lucky to move both feet as the floor was the most prized piece of wood in the country and was closely guarded by all who stepped on it. As for the sounds being played, it was very loosely woven around the said Torch & Mecca era so to speak and not ever having been to those hallowed venues, who was I to complain, every 'new' sound you heard was an education in Soul music. Down to some of the records spun that night and in no particular order . . . .

Earl Wright - Thumb a ride.

Jodi Mathis - Don't you care anymore.

David & the Giants - Ten miles high.

Marketts - Stirrin' up some soul.

Young-Holt Unlimited - California montage.

James Fountain - Seven day lover.

Van Dykes - Save my love for a rainy day.

James Lewis - Manifesto.

Bob Relf - Blowing my mind to pieces.

Lynne Randell - Stranger in my arms.

Darrell Banks - Somebody (somewhere needs you).

Maxine Brown - One in a million.

French Fries - Dance a la musique.

Big Boris - Devils drive.

R.P.M. Generation - Rona's theme.

Roy Hamilton - Crackin' up.

Eula Cooper - Let our love grow higher.

Fuller Brothers - Times a wasting.

Saxie Russell - Psychadelic soul.

Barbara Lewis - Someday we're gonna love again.

Tymes - Here she comes.

Nancy Wilson - The end of our love.

Kenny Smith - Lord! what's happening to your people.

Soul Twins - Quick change artist.

April Stevens - Wanting you.

Incredibles - There's nothing else to say.

Gwen & Ray - Build your house on a strong foundation.

Bobby Jason - Wall to wall heartaches.

Flaming Emeralds - Have some everybody.

Sam & Kitty - I've got something good.

Sherries - Put your loving arms around me.

Mel Williams - Can it be me.

Dottie Cambridge - Cry your eyes out.

Timothy Wilson - Love is like an itching.

Carstairs - It really hurts me girl.

Wendy Rene - Bar-B-Que.

Gems - I'll be there.

Clara Ward - The right direction.

R.Dean Taylor - There's a ghost in my house.

Jackie Wilson - I get the sweetest feeling.

Porgy & the Monarchs - My heart cries for you.

Valentines - Breakaway.

Spyder Turner - I can't make it anymore.

East Coast Connection - Summer in the parks.

Paul Sinbad - Do what you wanna do.

Larry Williams & Johnny 'Guitar' Watson - A quitter never wins.

The Tams - Hey girl don't bother me.

Robert Knight - Love on a mountain top.

Fidels - Try a little harder.

L.J. Johnson - Your magic put a spell on me.

Eloise Laws - Love factory.

A magic night and the only one from Bedfordshire / Hertfordshire that night . . . who missed out those memories eh?? Like many, I'm so glad I made the effort. It was a joy to go and join in the fun. Youth of today know nothing eh!!!

[Tim Smithers]

Worst journey to Wigan? All of them, bus to Poole then coach to Wigan, what a frigging long journey,

[Guest]

Worst Journey was towards the end of the Casino era. I had moved to Stoke with work, late one Saturday We ( my then new wife, Yvonne & Me) decided to go to Wigan after keeping the neighbours awake with Northen music. Unfortunately only the faithful motorbike had enough fuel for the return journey. On arriving at Wigan outside the Casino despite wearing Parkas, the Scooter lads took a dislike to my Yamaha; so on the advice of a passing policeman I had to leave it in the police station car park. After the ubiquitous Jimmy Radcliffe at the end of the night I had to retrieve the bike pick up Yvonne from ouside the Casino & outrun the perseuing scooters... good job speed cameras weren't invented then!

Told the Story to Keith Minshull later in the 80's when he visited a residency I was DJ'ing at the Oasis in Talke he thought it was hilarious as in his opinion the scooters had no chance of catching us. Did the same a couple of times after that.

[Guest Una Scot-Oz]

I remember one morning after a nighter walking back to Bolton with my mate, who had somehow managed to lose his shoes or swapped them for something else which he couldnt wear during the night! So we shared one pair but with one shoe each until the unshoed foot hurt too much. We thought nothing of it but didnt half get some funny looks

I can't stop laughing at this one!

[Guest bazabod_downunder]

Worst journey to Wigan? All of them, bus to Poole then coach to Wigan, what a frigging long journey,

Obviously the trip from B'mth to Poole on Hants & Dorset buses was the worst bit eh Tim?...lol

KTF

Baz

[Guest]

done a 'del trotter' run in a 3 wheel robin reliant from Poole Dorset. a lad called smiler was driving, his girlfriend and 2/3 more of us in the back (memory hazy ). he then took a detour off to stroud to to pick two other people up the car struggled to carry us all and it was a very tight squeeze - but we did make it

hey bazbod. are you sure that was your worst journey? dont forget the coach trips up with tom wiley in tow