Geoff

Last Saturday's allnighter marked the 44th anniversary, what a record, longest running soul allnighter, definitely in the UK, probably the whole world. Congratulations to Ady Croasdell and his team. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond my control, I was very late in getting there, Butch was playing Joseph Webster when I got into the room, but better late than never. Music was well up to the standard we expect, loads of favourites and some unfamiliar records, that's the 100 Club! Records like: Mighty Lovers; Kiss Me Girl On Your Way Out; You've Been Cheating (Ramona Collins); World Of Happiness; Better Off Without You (Little Anthony & The Imperials); Let Our Love Grow Higher; Last Minute Miracle; There's Nothing Left To Say; You Keep Leading Me On; Why Can't It Be Tonight; Don't; and ending of course with I'll Never Stop Loving You and Baby I Need Your Loving. Then it was over, putting our coats on, saying farewell to friends, with as usual the musical background of Walter Jackson's wonderful That's What Mama Say. Actually we seemed to have more time to say goodbye than usual. Then out into Oxford Street for our journey home. It was lovely to see so many of my friends there. My appreciation to Bob and to Pete our driver. Got home at about 10.20. And massive thanks to Ady, Mattie and Faye, plus the DJs who did us proud, and to the staff of the club. Long may it continue.

Saturday the 16th meant another trip to my favourite soul club in Greater Manchester, the Ashton Ukrainian for an evening of rare and underplayed soul music played by knowledgeable and enthusiastic DJs. And as usual I wasn't disappointed; a good mix of better and lesser known records being played, and nearly all well away from the top 500. Nothing wrong with the latter by the way but many can be heard regularly in other clubs. We arrived shortly after 7.30 but the main room was filling up nicely. After getting seats with our friends and getting drinks it was time to concentrate on the music, and we weren't let down, rather the opposite. The DJs in order of appearance were: Phil Dunn, Geoff Stubbs, Derek Watmough, Simon Ingham, John Parker, and Chris Churm. Among the records played were: I'm Having So Much Fun (Willie Tee); Look At Me Look At Me (Vernon Greene); I Can't Find Her (Rotations); Stop And Think It Over Baby (Charles Drain); If It Wasn't For Love (Jimmy Bee); The Meditation (TNT Band, a nice Latin funk track); I Don't Love You No More (Exsaveyons); Something About You Sends Me (Royal Robins); It's Our Time To Fall In Love (Cody Black); So Blue (Joe Murphy); Without You Baby (Irma & The Larks); Beside Myself (Pee Wee Shucks & Huey); Love Slave (Antellects); I Need Your Loving So Bad (Lewis Clark); Don't Knock Me (Connie Tanzel); I'd Think It Over (Sam Fletcher); What Does The Future Hold (24 Karat Gold) and loads more that I can't remember at this time. And plenty that I didn't know, one of the reasons to attend is for me to hear tunes new to me. The dance floor was kept moving the whole night by the music and I imagine everyone left satisfied with the variety of records played, I certainly was. Good to see many friends there, and the usual thank you to Derek and Janet for taking Sandy and me, and to Paddy our companion. And of course thanks to all the DJs, promoters and the friendly staff of the club.

Sandra and I made our first visit to the Exit 21 Soul Club at Rochdale Masonic Hall courtesy of a lift from Derek and Janet Watmough joined by Paddy. When we arrived it looked as if the building was closed but on investigation we found it open at the back. We entered to find a large room with a big dance floor, a bar and a stage for the DJs. After taking our seats near friends and getting drinks it was time to look around and take in the atmosphere. Not a great number in at first but it gradually filled. The regular DJs are Steven Henderson and Mark Sharrocks, the night's guest was Paul Shirley. Among the earlier sets were Just Loving You; I Don't Know About You; Girls Are Against Me; Ooh Boy; It'll Never Be Over For Me; Can We Talk It Over; She'll Come Running Back. People were dancing from early on; always a good sign and nice to see. The last record played before Paul took over was the beautiful I Have No Choice by Johnnie Mae Matthews. Then it was guest DJ Paul Shirley's turn on the decks and he hit us with some big classy tunes, starting with Jimmy Bo Horne's I Can't Speak. Among others he played were Someone Tell Her; Bernadine; Joseph Webster; Poets' Wrapped Around Your Finger; I'm A Bad Go Getter by Jean Shy, great R&B; my requests Ask My Heart and The Hurting Is Over, thanks for playing them; Lady In Green; slowing things down with This Girl and James Phelps' The Look On Your Face and ending with Sag War Fare's Don't Be So Jive. The latter one probably unfamiliar to some there, I was the only one dancing I think. After Paul finished the regulars kept the pace up with That's What I Want; Baby Don't You Weep; All Of My Life; Can You Remember, etc. Nice to hear Lou Johnson's original of There's Always Something There To Remind Me, it really took me back; Show Stopper; and the night ending with Long After Tonight Is All Over and Tony Michaels' I Love The Life I Live. Both Sandy and I really enjoyed the evening, I haven't danced so much for ages, my legs are feeling it as I write this. The dance floor was one of the best I've been on lately. Good to see so many friends, hopefully seeing them again soon. And thanks to Derek for the lift and to the DJs for entertaining us, and to the one barman who was kept busy all night. I certainly will put Exit 21 on my list of clubs to return to.

I've not commented on the Ashton Ukrainian Club's Rare Soul Night recently, not because I've not enjoyed it, it's been excellent but didn't have any more superlatives for it. However last Saturday's was so good I felt the need to comment. Derek and Janet Watmough kindly gave Sandy and me a lift there, we were as usual joined by Paddy. We arrived about 7.35 and there were quite a few in. At 7.45 the first guest Phil Dick hit the decks with a set of rare soul of the first order. Tracks like the Mello Souls; Ramona Collins' You've Been Cheating; Court Davis' Try To Think What You're Doing; Sidney Barnes' Cheatin' Kind; Honey & The Bees' Dynamite Exploded and many more, quite a few I didn't know. A nice taster for the Cleethorpes weekend. Quite a hard job to follow Phil but Derek Watmough was up to the job. Among his plays were the Topics' She's So Fine; Arthur Freeman's You Got Me Uptight; Ollie Jackson's Wipe Away The Teardrops; and Rocky Gil & The Bishops' It's Not The End. Lately I've used Shazam to help me note the records played, my memory is not as good as it once was, and it failed to find more of Derek's set than any other DJ that night. There were a lot of records played during the night that were new to me. At 9.45 Phil Threlfall started his set with I Saw You There by the Appointments following it with the Puzzles' I Need You; Man From Soul; I'm Moanin' by Rose Brooks and I'm Having So Much Fun by Willie Tee; the Magicians' Love, Let's Try Again and Hank Hodge's Eye For An Eye. Phil ended his set with the Purple Mundi's Stop Hurting Me Baby. Phil continued the high standard set by the earlier DJs. Baz Maleedy was the fourth guest and kept the floor moving with more rare classy soul. The Lovelites' I Don't Want To Cry; Darrell Banks' I'm Knocking On Your Heart (I started dancing to this but had to give up, too long for me these days); Tell Me Baby; What Can I Do by George Kirby; Rudy Love's Sufferin' Wrath; Hayes Cotton's Black Wings Have My Angel; one you don't hear often Joan Baker's Everybody's Talking; Nancy Butts' I Want To Hold Your Hand give an idea of Baz's set, great tunes. For the last set Chris Churm took over and really kept the floor going with records like She Just Sits There; Drown My Heart; I Need My Baby; Down And Out. He said his last record would be Mr Blue by Cody Black but the crowd demanded more so he actually finished with Ain't Gonna Give You Up by the Volumes. For me the night flew by, a sign that it had been very enjoyable. It was good to see so many friends there: Carole and Donna; Sue Scott and Les; Joyann; Dave and Maria; Joan Livesey; and others, too many to mention. The Ashton Ukrainian is a friendly club with knowledgeable people, it never lets you down. The guys who run it can be proud; it's a night not to be missed if you are serious about our music. Once again thanks to the promoters, DJs, and staff of the club; and to all present for making this a great night.

The Spitfire is consistently a very good afternoon of soul music, the DJs always get away from the tried and tested records that you hear in some clubs and in my opinion are overplayed. But last Sunday's was absolutely wonderful. Each DJ's set was different from the others, giving the listeners a smorgasbord of soul sounds, a true delight. A good friend, Lawrence Crossley, gave Sandy and myself a lift there, we actually got in before the music started at 2 pm so we were sitting down comfortably when the show began. Regular Spitfire DJ Vance Butterworth as usual started proceedings. Among the records he played were Wilmer & The Dukes' Give me one more chance; Andre Williams' You got it and I want it; Chuck Willis' Whatcha gonna do; Little Luther's Eenie meenie minie moe; ending his set with The Isley Brothers' That's the way love is. Gary Thomas followed Vance and started with Baby baby baby by The Tokays. Another mixed set including The Diplomats' Cards on the table; Ike & Tina's Somebody somewhere needs you; Padded Cell's Mr Misery; and Helen Shapiro's Stop and you'll become aware. Second guest was Bernard Lowe, who used to guest at the Bury Town Hall, as I was told. More nice tracks here including The Hyperions' Why you wanna treat me the way you do; Cajun Heart's Got to find a way (bringing back memories of the Capital Soul Club at the Dome); Bobby Hutton's Come see what's left on me; upping the tempo with The Silhouettes' Not me baby and Jimmy McFarland's Lonely lover. Bernard ended his set with a couple of slower tunes with Quiet home by the Sea Shells and Reggie Alexander's It's better. Then it was Paul Shirley's time on the decks and he treated us to a set of rare soul, absolutely up my street musicwise. Starting off with Jean Shy's I'm a big go getter, then Teardrops by The Soul Brothers. Others played included Ask my heart (Eddie Billups); My love is so strong (Joseph Webster); and The hurting is over by Arthur Willis & The Soulful Dynamics (surprised and delighted to hear that one, so rare). Paul ended with the sublime Lady in green by The Magnetics, a masterclass in rare soul. As normal at the Spitfire Pete Eccles took the last set, starting with The Constellations' I don't know about you. Among others Pete played were What's happened to our love by The Ringleaders; Marjorie Black's One more heartache; Turley Richards' I feel alright; The Precisions' Why girl; Tony Galla's In love; and ending the afternoon with Corey Glover's Little girl and Timi Yuro's It'll never be over for me. As I said earlier an excellent afternoon, pretty well attended despite other soul events including the Stafford reunion. A good number of dancers, I danced a few times, but haven't been feeling on top form since a few days in hospital recently so I missed a few of my favourites that I'd normally be on the floor to. The Spitfire's a very friendly club, I would recommend it to anyone who wants to hear slightly lesser played soul sounds. It was good to see all our friends there and a big thank you to Lawrence for driving Sandy and I there and back. And as usual a big thanks to Pete, Vance, the DJs, the club staff and the ladies on the door.

I hadn't been to the 100 Club since the anniversary last September and to be honest I was a bit worried how I'd get on. When I woke up Saturday morning I thought I must be out of my mind to consider a trip to London and to stay up all night, but as the day progressed and 11pm approached my excitement increased, First I'd like to say a big thank you to my travelling companions: Phil Jones who did the driving, Pete Ratcliffe and Bob Spendlove, who organised everything. Phil picked me up at 2.30, Bob joined us and off we went to pick up Pete and then on to London. After arriving in central London our first port of call was the Blue Posts where we met up with many who were going to the club. Lovely to see Garry and Rolla, Suzy, Billywhiz, Ann, Dave Rippoles and others. I left my companions so I could get in early and obtain a table, they usually get snapped up quickly. Joel Maslin and guest Frank Webster were double decking setting the mood for the night. My companions joined me and Phil got his first look at the club, this was his debut there. It was fantastic to see so many of my friends there and they remembered me, I've only been a few times since moving from London. I realised how much I missed it and the camaraderie. The club has such a special atmosphere, has to be experienced to understand. Musically as usual there was a mix of styles. For example Ooh Boy; Attica Massacre; I'll Let You Slide; Sweep It Under The Shed; Shadow Of A Memory; Beside Myself; Things A Lady Ain't Supposed To Do; You're Gone; Heartaches Souvenirs; Kiss Me Girl; Will You Ever Learn, Sweet Temptation, etc. Ady played a lot of his acetates in his first set plus my favourite of the night: Timmy Carr & The Persianettes' I Could Never Stop Crying. Butch no longer does two sets but just one long one, very nice it was too, mixing lesser k own with better known records. As usual Ady played the last 45 minutes. He included Don't Tear Me Down; Sorry Ain't The Word; Rules; ending with I'll Never Stop Loving You; It's An Uphill Climb To The Bottom; and of course Baby I Need Your Loving. Then it was time to sort yourself out, get your coat and say farewell to your friends. In all honesty nighters are more of a challenge these days, especially from the north of England, fairly easy when it took an hour to get there and an hour back home in London. But I must return soon, just such a special night. Thanks to Ady, the DJs and staff of the club.

I think I can speak for my travelling companions, Derek, Janet and Paddy, that the rare soul nights at the Ukrainian club in Ashton-Under-Lyne are not to be missed at almost any cost. And obviously our view is shared by many others as we only just got a seat in the main room at 7.30, it was so busy early on. I know I repeat myself when I say how good this club is but it is true. Great music played by DJs with good taste and an audience who know and love their music. What could be better? From the off the music hit the spot, mixing tempos, mainly on what would be called the rare and lesser played side of our music. For me good to hear the 100 Club classic Welcome To Dreamsville shortly after arriving. Looking down my lists of records played I'm not sure who played what. Tracks included Irma Thomas' What Are You Trying To Do; Percy Wiggins' It Didn't Take Much; Dream Girl; Hush Don't Cry; Breakaway (Linda Lloyd); Never Will I Make My Baby Cry (hadn't heard that for ages, always loved it); Since I Found A Love; Carl Henderson's That Girl; Sufferin' Wrath; Geater Davis' My Love Is So Strong For You; I Got A Good Thing Going; The Feeling I Have; Whisper You Love Me Boy, Quiet Home and many others. You get the picture. It was very nice to see Ginger Taylor on the decks there playing some very nice rare tracks. All too soon the night ended and it was time to go home although you can add at least 15 minutes to say farewell to friends. Thanks to the promoters of this event, and of course all the DJs. The club staff do an excellent job behind a very busy bar; and of course to my friends for taking me there and for their company.

Looking forward to this, always great music and company.

There was no Spitfire Club in November due to a clash with Remembrance Sunday so I was even more eager than usual to attend December's one. Sandy didn't accompany me, she's making good progress after her hip operation but best not to take chances on icy pavements. After paying the entrance fee and getting my wristband I joined friends who were even more eager than me to get there. Then a guy said hello to me and it was someone I had not seen for ages, think it was back in 2004, good to see him and his wife, they hadn't changed a bit. And there were another couple of friends who'd travelled there from Wales. The starter DJ was Vance Butterworth playing tracks including No Puppy Love; If This Isn't Love; Prove It To Me; I Wanna Be Free, mixing up styles and tempos and serenading people entering the club. Next up was Mark Sharrock who opened with the Broadways' You Just Don't Know, following with Just A Boy's Dream, that got me on my feet to the dance floor, then just when I sat down it was Girls Are Against Me, couldn't sit down for that either. Mark continued with a classy set of mainly oldies including Baby Don't You Weep; You Been Away (used to be able to dance to that); Look At Me Now; and Sweetest Girl In The World. He kept the dance floor busy. Following Mark was Angie Brotherton who played a very varied set, quite a few of which I didn't know. Ones I did know included Your Love Has Gone Away; Breakaway (Linda Lloyd); My Kind Of Woman (Edwin Starr); The Well's Run Dry; I Watched You Slowly Slip Away; What Side Your Bread Is Buttered On; etc. Again the floor was busy. At 5.30 it was time for Carl and Maria Willingham to take over from Angie. They are legends on the soul scene, especially in the north west, years of great soul for our delectation. They started off with Why Can't It Be Tonight by Gerri Grainger following it with Eddie Holman's Where I'm Not Wanted. That set the pattern, mainly rare and underplayed including some unissued acetates. Better known plays included Now You're On Your Own; Hangin' In; In Other Words; Love Finds A Way; Ain't Gonna Do You No Harm; That's A Funny Way. Acetates included Jingle by Inez Foxx; Hangin' On by Marvin Gaye and the Enchanters' I Can Love. There was another one whose title I didn't catch that was played after Now You're On Your Own which I've heard Carl and Maria play before, right up my street stylewise. They ended their set with a request for David Thomas' I'll Always Need You, a sublime record. Carl and Maria aren't frightened of playing slower records in the middle of their sets as opposed to the end, I applaud them. For the last hour and a half Pete Eccles took over the decks and started off with Please Stay by the Ivories. He continued with classics including It Gets To Me; Ever Again; I Feel Alright; I'll Hold You; Wrong Man; and a request for Hush Don't Cry. Again a good mixed set and still had people dancing up to the end. For myself, the Spitfire is consistently good playing the type of music I want to hear, a mix of tunes I know and tunes that are new to me, an ideal combination. It was a superb afternoon / early evening, even more enjoyable for the company of my friends, I look forward to the next one in January. Thanks to Pete and the DJs and helpers, and the staff of the club.

Last Saturday's Ukrainian Soul Club was literally something for everyone who loves Northern Soul with the exception of those who exclusively wish to hear the NS top 100; An absolutely fantastic mix of music, both well known and rare, just what I like. First though I will thank Derek and Janet Watmough for giving Sandra Green and myself a lift there, otherwise it would be an impossible journey. For Sandy it was her first trip out to a soul night since her hip replacement operation a few weeks ago. She's still using crutches so no chance of her getting on to the dance floor but no doubt she'll be back there soon. Also good to see my 100 Club friend Kev there, he'd made the trip from Kent to Manchester especially for this night, glad to say he enjoyed it. Unfortunately the main guest John Parker was ill so couldn't attend. However he had a very able replacement in Paul Shirley. What a phenomenal collection he's got, all were on my favourites' list and kept me dancing. But all the DJs did an excellent job keeping the audience happy, thank you so much. A real wealth of soul was played, no repeats as far as I remember; tunes included Alone With No Love (heard that out a few times lately after years not hearing it at all); A 1000 Wonders; Welcome To Dreamsville; Make Up Your Mind; Fear Not; Doin' Me Right; Oh Gee How I Miss Him; Ask My Heart; My Love Is So Strong; I Just Can't Speak; Lady In Green; Count The Days; The Good Got To Suffer For The Bad; Pushed Out Of The Picture; Can't Get Over These Memories; Strange Change and many others. Finally time for us to go home to the strains of Make Sure after a very satisfying evening. Great to see so many friends there, all united by our love for the music. Thanks to all who organise this night and the DJs, and the staff of the club.

After a rest on Saturday after the Shirt club on Friday it was off to Farnworth for another Spitfire Soul afternoon at the D Haviland Club. I arrived just before 2 pm to find Vance Butterworth taking the cash and fixing the arm bands, glad he did it, I always seem to mess it up if I do my own. Found a seat and waited for my friend Lawrence Crossley to join me. Linda Butterworth was the first DJ, on for an hour and a half. Getting us all in the mood with records like One Night Affair; Sad Little Girl; Shoes; I Cry Alone; Spring Rain (one of Lawrence's favourites); Let Me Make You Happy, etc. A nice mixed set. Neil Brackenridge was next on playing some great oldies like Mr Big Shot; In Orbit; Festival Time; Got To Find A Way (not heard that for ages). Good to hear an oldies set that omitted what I describe as the usual suspects, sure readers may guess what I refer to. Nothing wrong with them but slightly overplayed in my opinion. For the second time in three days I listened and enjoyed a set by Bob Spendlove. He started with Milton Wright's I Belong To You. I had to check what it was only to find I've got it, flip of Like A Rolling Stone, what am I like? Others he played included If You Ever Walk Out Of My Life, Come Go With Me, both of them got me dancing; Now You've Got The Upper Hand; You Only Live Twice (nice Crossover) and I'd Think It Over Twice. Then it was time for Ted Massey, one of the UK's premier DJs, always a big draw for a club. He started with a request from Bob Spendlove for No One Can Take Your Place. While he played some of his big records e.g. Joseph Webster; Pee Wee Shucks & Huey; Tiaras' Foolish Girl (latter two my requests); Poets; Constellations and others. He played a few I didn't recognise, one being Jay Bee & The Mighty Sensations' Anybody Here, rather nice. Ted turned to more funky sounds for his last two: Angela Davis' My Love Is Strong and What I Did In The Street by Barbara King. When he played the last one he said he wasn't sure anyone would dance to it, except perhaps Geoff Green, so no pressure there then Ted, and now everyone knows who I am, lol. Absolutely superb set, hope to get to the Ashton Ukrainian club on Saturday. Bob and Vance double decked playing mainly oldies, appropriate for the last hour or so,; some good tunes. Bob's last play was a forthcoming release on North Broad St records, the House Brothers with Shake, sort of Modern Soul meets House. All of those who attended seemed to be enjoying themselves, the music was top notch and the company I was with were very friendly. I can think of few better ways to spend a Sunday afternoon than at the Spitfire, if you haven't been there give it a try, you will not be disappointed. My thanks to the DJs, promoters and staff of the club, and also to Phil Jones who gave me a lift home, cheers mate.

What can one say about the 100 Club Anniversary nighter last Saturday? Superb is just one of the adjectives that could be used. A very special night in a very special club. It was my first allnighter since the previous year's one, so for me quite an occasion. Not so easy getting down as it was when I lived in London, but thanks to Bob Spendlove I had a lift down which made quite a long journey comfortable. Bob and Pete Ratcliffe picked me up at about 3pm and drove down to Luton to meet up with Kev Collins who with his wife kindly provided us with pizza and refreshments. We then took a train to London St Pancras and tube on to Oxford Circus. After an hour in a pub, not sure of its name, we went to the 100 Club where we told that the anniversary record would be sent out later. Then down the stairs to a very busy club area. After dropping off my bag and coat I wandered around talking to friends that I had not seen for ages. I think quite a few were surprised to see me. It was so good to see them, missed them a lot. No guest DJs, simply the regulars: Ady, Butch, Keith, Joel and Tomas. And they were all that was needed. Some oldies played, many rarities and underplayed tracks. Among many were: Job Opening; My Proposal; She Doesn't Love Me; Ask My Heart; Could It Be Me; Lord What's Happening To My People; Mighty Lovers cover up; Kiss Me Girl; Love Is A Trap; Don't Tear Me Down; I'll Never Stop Loving You; Sweet Memories; I Wanna Be Good To You; I Got Something Good; I Can Never Stop Crying Over You (thanks Ady for playing my request); Lonely Girl and ending the night with of course Baby I Need Your Loving. And as the lights came on the demo of I'll Never Stop Loving You was played. The dance floor was full the whole night, and it was full right at the end, can't remember it being that busy, usually clears out a little but everyone wanted to stay and enjoy the music. As I said earlier the 100 Club is a very special place, with a unique ambience. I always call it my spiritual home, sure a lot of others who were there would agree. Not the greatest dance floor in the world and sometimes the sound can be a bit dodgy but it is special. Proved it on Saturday night and Sunday morning. Thanks to Ady for keeping it going for such a phenomenally long time, with latterly the assistance of Matt and Fay. Much kudos to them. My thanks to all the DJs, the music was excellent, and to the 100 Club staff, hope to be back soon.

Apologies for lateness, but been busy. Each time I go to the Ashton Ukrainian Club soul night it seems better than the previous one. As I said to friends it is like a great allnighter but one that you can still go to bed afterwards at a reasonable time. As usual I must say thank you to Derek and Janet Watmough for kindly giving Sandy and myself a lift to the club, it would be quite difficult to get there otherwise. As we took our seats the DJ (Phil Dunn I think) was playing I Wanna Give You Tomorrow by Benny Troy, reminded me of seeing him at Prestatyn, seems years ago now. All the DJs played fine sets, although as usual my memory has let me down a bit, I did take some paper and a pen but forgot a torch, it is a bit dark for writing without one. But some of the records played included Sad Little Girl; I'm Waiting; Down And Out; My Love Has Gone (my favourite record of the night); A Touch Of Venus (great oldie that you don't hear that often); You're Gonna Wreck My Life; I Didn't Try; I Think It's Gonna Work Out Fine (Wilson Williams); Hard Road To Hoe; Wake Up People And Live; with the final record being Make Sure by the Dells, reminded me of These Old Shoes with Jo Wallace et al. As my short list illustrates a wide range of sounds were played, and they made sure the dance floor was busy. As usual there were plenty of friends there, great to see them and thanks for your company and chat. It's obvious that the people who attend this club know their soul music. Thanks to all the DJs and the staff at the club for an excellent night. Hope to be at the next one.

Had to miss the last two Spitfire sessions due to circumstances beyond my control, a major miss on my soul calendar. However Sandra and I were able to attend yesterday's session and it was well worth the trip to Farnworth, great music as usual. It was a pleasant afternoon's drive there and when we got into the Haviland Club we soon found our friends and joined them. Stuart McIntyre was on when we arrived, If You Ever Get Your Hands On Love was playing I think. Good to hear some Modern Soul classics like Love No Longer Has A Hold On Me; Keep The Fire Burning and I'm Not Ready being included in Stuart's set along with I Need You Baby; I'll Never Forget You; Pain In My Heart; Baby I Need You. At 3.30 Gary Thomas followed Stuart, including tunes like Just Can't Leave You; When The Boy That You Love; It's Everything About You; Heartaches And Pain; On The Real Side and ending with Strange Neighbourhood and Lonely Girl by Annabelle Fox. Dave Molloy was next, he played quite a few records that I didn't know, and as my taste is more towards the rare and underplayed I'm always happy to hear new (to me) sounds. Among the ones he played that I knew were Better; You Only Live Twice; Be Proud; and My Dear Heart. Despite me not knowing some records others obviously did because the dance floor was busy. Fourth on the decks was Dean Mitchell whose playlist kept Sandra happy with tunes like Sweep It Under The Shed and I'll Be Gone, she likes her R&B. Others he played included Point Of View; Let My Love Yuh; The Change. Pete Eccles came on for the last set at 6.30 and played some Spitfire favourites Stolen Hours; All Of My Life; I'll Hold You' Hey It's Love; Isn't It Just A Shame. We left about 7.20 as he was playing You Can't Go. The dance floor was rarely empty, there was a good crowd in and everyone seemed to be enjoying the music. I've enjoyed all my visits and this was no exception. The Spitfire is one that you mustn't miss if possible. Thanks to all concerned.

The Big Charity Northern Soul Alldayer in aid of Derain House Children’s Hospice Chorley was superb, great music supporting a very worthwhile cause. Sandy and I wish to thank Derek and Janet Watmough for taking us to Southport, very decent of them and good to see Paddy again. We arrived around 2pm, found ourselves a table and relaxed to the music. And the music was just how I like it, mix of tempos and styles but always classy. Very few classic oldies and plenty of tunes I'd not heard out for some time. Plenty of my personal favourites, special thanks to Paul Shirley for his dedication of Ask My Heart to Sandy. Not going to try to match DJs with records but records played included Breakaway (Linda Lloyd); Ask My Heart; Stick With Me Baby; Good Times Bad Times; One More Chance; Fascinating Girl; My Love Is Real; Shake Cheri; What Difference Does It Make; Gee How I Miss Him; Crook His Little Finger; Wrapped Around My Finger; I Need My Baby; Hard Roe To Hoe: you get the picture I'm sure. As usual nice to see many friends, some I had not seen for a long time. I'm lucky to have so many friends who share my love for soul music. I think it was about 10 that we left, tired but happy, time well spent. The Railway Club is a nice venue, thanks to the staff and the organisers and DJs for an excellent time.

The Ashton Ukrainian Soul club goes from strength to strength in my opinion. This was probably the best soul event I've attended since moving to Greater Manchester. Musically it was like a good allnighter without having to stay up all night with the inevitable tiredness and comedown. Sandy and I would like to thank Derek and Janet Watmough for the lift they gave us and to Paddy for his company and banter, Good to see our friends there and I'm getting to know other people as well. I did try to note down some tunes played but gave up after filling up three flyers. Some big tunes played included Sha La La, Fascinating Girl, Shake Cheri, My Love Is So Strong and Wrapped Around Your Finger, all favourites of mine. Others played included That's How Heartaches Are Made (not Baby Washington's, not sure who it was); Come See; Always; Envy; I'll Be Your Champion; Birth Of A Playboy; Hey It's Love; Harlem Rumble; When You're All Alone; It Was True; There's Got To Be A Loser; Your Wish Is My Command; Naughty Boy; Your Love Leaves Me Lonely; Count The Days; Lady In Green; and so many others, don't want to bore people. The last record played was the Sparkels' Try Love. A good turnout, nice to be with like minded people who enjoy good soul music. Thanks to the organisers, the club staff and the DJs, Looking forward to the next one.