Len

We just ventured up town for a bit of fresh air, and to do bit of shopping - We saw someone wearing a full gas mask! On the way home we met a neighbour who works in Aldi, and she said that someone handed over some money that was wet with bleach. A row followed after the lady at the till said she couldn't except it because she couldn't check if counterfeit, and that the liquid on the notes could be dangerous. She said there's loads of confrontation going on, even to the point where two poor cashier girls have been reduced to tears. Len

Good question! My first dance at an All-nighter was when I was 15 years old at Loughborough Town Hall in 1985 - I'd been to nighters at The Fleet Peterborough before, but daredn't dance. My older mates had been encouraging me to 'get out there', and I remember saying to myself....."Jeeze if you don't go for it the night will be over"..... Anyway, I finally 'jumped', and felt such a fool for a brief moment as was expecting all my mates to point and laugh - Do you know what? (you've guest it) no one did! One mate gave me a quick smile before carrying on doing his thing, and before I knew it I was actually enjoying myself....."Welcome to Northern Soul Len" I don't remember the tune as I was in a daze, but I'll never forget that experience. Len

Yup it sure does. The kids are pretty upset of course, but I'm being practical - I wouldn't want to go now in these worldly circumstances. Although I was so looking forward to having 21 days away from the stresses of work, it looks like I now need to brace myself to try to ride the recession of this, which will effect us all. I've been arguing with Nina about the British reporter who asked......"President Trump, you have banned all travel from Europe to America, given the increase in cases in the UK and Ireland, will you be adding those to the list of counties not allowed to travel to America?"......."Well we'll look at that"......My argument is - Why did she tell him?!!! / Nina says he will know anyway / No, Donald Trump doesn't concentrate! Len

Good point, I'll check. That said, apart from losing a load of money if as you elude to we may not be covered if it's a foreign government that says we can't travel, that would be typical - Especially as it's mainly some of my long owned and cherished records that have paid for this trip! ......If we can't go we can't go (Our insurance covering that expense would be extremely welcome of course) Jeeze, not being covered would be painful! I don't know about everyone else, but we are kind of self isolating regardless of government advise, or our holiday - Work only / Staying at home / Food shopping really early (Already panic bought my whiskey, so I'm alright Jack) We're also keeping our kids away from their clubs - Guitar / Dance / Boxing (Not the same kid) Len

Yes I do thanks - To be honest, as soon as Nina said all of Europe were banned from flying to the states, my reaction was 'oh well that's that then', as apposed to 'Oh that's not fair!'. It's a shame that our year long excitement has been somewhat stifled, but that's the way it is. We rang Virgin as our holiday plan is to go to Hollywood for 5 days, then fly to Florida for 12 days, so we thought maybe we would be best to forget Hollywood (As California has more cases) and just go straight to Florida - We had a reassuring phone call with Virgin saying don't worry they take the official advise, all is well, go enjoy yourselves! But I have to say, we're not 'feeling it'. I suppose it's business as usual for them until things officially change. It's good to know we will have any support needed from them though. Well if we get there, it will be a nice place to be stuck at I suppose Len

We're meant to be going to America very soon. Woke up this morning to the news that all travel from Europe to America is banned, obviously a bit disappointed having looked forward to it for a whole year, but 'your health is your wealth' as they say, so you suck it up and carry on. Turns out, it doesn't include the UK, so what with that and I expect many Americans steering clear of Disney, those long queues will be non-existent. Not a time for laughs now though - Going in these conditions won't be that 'Magical'. Best of luck ref your Stepson Rod, and everyone else of course. Len

I went to collect a meal for myself and some friends from our local Indian takeaway on Friday night. This particular restaurant is one of the most popular in Wellingborough, always packed on Friday and Sat nights - Friday night I saw there were lots of empty seats, and they said they were already 30% down. I really feel for small businesses such as these, not knowing how long this will last - Are they going to be able to survive? Len

Again - Always have done .......I expect loads of people are planning to go away abroad this Easter, I wonder if this will still happen - If it doesn't, it will cost insurance companies millions! (Which we will pay for in the long run of course) Len

And they're talking about maybe canceling large gatherings, so the majority of Soul events are pretty safe Len

As I will at Disney very soon......God I need a holiday Len

I like to think this will blow over sooner rather than later - I obsessively wash my hands numerous times a day anyway, and never warmed to that European 'kiss kiss' greeting thing that seems to have taken a hold of us. The media yet again get everyone in to a stupor. Not long ago it was 'Brexit Brexit Brexit' to the point of making people be quite nasty to each other (over what?) Then it was all about the floods - They don't mention those poor folks now who are still suffering. Now it's 'Virus virus virus', drip feeding 'breaking news!' of another increase in effected people, etc etc. Not to be complacent of course, but this too will pass. All the best, Len

It's every DJ's nightmare. I expect some chancer grabbed a handful of records and scarpered in seconds, which could easily happen, especially if lots of people were on the stage - This kind of thing was not really on people's minds years ago, but nowadays is different - Keep a sharp eye on your Gems! I used to put a 'wall' of tables along the back (For the DJ's records) But also along both sides, so there was only a small gap left to get to the stage. Mainly to control 'decks traffic', but it also made it very noticeable to the DJ who had joined them. A shame it happens at all of course, but glad it rarely does. Len

Hiya, Presume you know this is the other side to 'Not Too Old To Cry'. If you didn't, that may help you in your hunt Great tune! (Either side) Len

It's a ' free for all' now Steve - Pretty much gone are the days when promoters respectfully called up one other to discuss booking dates so not to encroach on each other's events, which was done for the obvious reasons you give (everyone suffers), and for the general health of the scene. Clashes did happen, but these were kept to the absolute minimum, and usually because of for want of trying, no one fell out over it happening every so often. Good luck to all promoters - You need a bit of that nowadays Len

Probably nerves Len

Have to say I'm the same, yet have read of incidents. I've also read of events playing just pressings that I am not aware of, and DJs that turn up just before their spot and go home straight after. I suppose if the odd occasions of the above examples get written about, it can seem as though they're more widespread than they actually are. Good point btw. Len

Hi Steve, Well I thought it was now cool to be into 'something different' I'm getting old now, so felt a mask may well have been an improvement....... ........My Son Bailey however (He's the one on the left) This is what 'packed to the rafters' really looks like - 'SlipKnot' Sorry Paul, a tad 'off-topic' here - It was thoroughly enjoyable witnessing my Son's passion of something though All the best, Len

'Boffins of Ballyhoo' defo a copyright Mick Lyons that one A few years back I was at a do (can't remember where) Was only myself and another dancing to somat, and a p*ssed up girl was dancing all over the place, even bumping into just the two of us who were on the dance floor at that particular time! After the record had finished, the guy came over to me with a big smile on his face and said......"Had that been a bloke I would have decked him!"......Of course I said......"Me too!".....(He didn't know I had only one fight in my entire life under my belt) Anyway, we simply shrugged it off, and didn't get too bothered by the p*ssed up girl (Who was having a wail of a time!) Point being - This was a few years ago, but going by what I read, it seems that these sort of manageable situations have now turned into some events being top heavy with more people like this than us lot. Depends where you go for now...... Len P.s - I saw 'SlipKnot' last night

It finishes at different times for lots of people for a variety of reasons. When you're 'chasing ya tail', that's when it's finished for you - Good luck to those who are enjoying it now Len

Looks like a lovely holiday, but I would never want to mix my holidays with 'Norman Soul' - Each to their own though (of course) Ady's Cleethorpe's weekender had a 'proper' pool party every Sunday night - God knows how everyone survived! (I don't think that was planned though) ((The pool party that is, not the whole weekender)) Len

Be interesting to hear other's views of 'Ten years on' Len

You're absolutely right - I only saw the ‘back end’ of this era, but I saw enough (Head bands, wrist bands, white socks, & Karate Kicks) to get the ‘feel’ of what it really was about (Realize this was much later, but the scene was still full of people from that time) Scary as hell to boot! Incidentally, I forwarded this link to a mate from this era, and he said it bought a lump to his throat. Thanks for posting. ‘CLAP!’ Len

Great stuff - You lot were soooo good at clapping! Len