Winnie :-)

Earlier this year I was doing a qualification called PTLLS, during it you have to give what's known as a 'Micro-teach', which is basically a shortened lesson of 20 minutes. As you can pick any subject to teach I chose Northern Soul. The first question I asked was have any of you heard of Northern soul, the idea was that if they had they stood up. 2 stood. If they couldn't answer any questions they were then to sit down. I then asked, can you name a venue. 1 sat down, finally I asked could they name a DJ and the last one sat down. To cut a long story short, most people seem vaguely aware of northern, but don't appear to have any extensive knowledge. Interestingly, my partner Jackie who is a lecturer was demonstrating how to do a micro teach to her class, so she also chose Northern to compare results. She spoke to 14 students, similar or the same questions only 1 got up to the have you heard of northern question, and then he sat down, when asked to name a venue. So all in all, I would say that northern has maintained it's mystique. I know it's a very small sample, but there does seem to be some hope

I thought people going 'Full circle' was the main reason for the controversy, well that and the baggy trousers

I would have clicked like to this, but can't bring myself to like anything Chelsea Truth is, these kind of retro weekenders aren't for me, and judging by the posts, probably not for most of the contributors to this thread, but because I'm mobile and can go where I like they don't offend me

Frank Wilson did an even longer version at the Cala Gran Arthur, you'd have thought he'd only ever made one record of note

Have you ever seen Ady Croasdell and Nigel Farage in the same room together? No I didn't think so :)

I can remember Jo chasing someone out of TOS when they crashed into the decks, she's a legend, and a great DJ

Made me laugh out loud Wiggy I do have to own up to liking 'No one there', and not being averse to Bob Sinclair either.... no hope for me then lol

If the media did a documentary on the England football team, where do you think they'd start, what do you think they'd focus on? 66 because ultimately something has to be in the programme to connect us, otherwise we won't watch it. So yeah Wigan is generally the focal point, in the seventies northern (when it broke) was a phenomenon, if similar happened now, then the current scene would have it's day and be recognised. I would say that from a media point of view, the scene is the same now as it was then, purely on the numbers going to oldies events. If Elaine or anybody else made a 10 episode documentary (for example) the majority of the footage would almost certainly be made up from the thriving oldies scene because thats where 90% of the people go.

So I'll take it that's a NO then Byrney

Who knows Pete, you're the one reading things into posts

Back to telling people when they can and can't reply then Pete, just keep forgetting how influential you think you are. You know the score, not happy complain to a moderator, you've done it plenty of times before

God forbid anybody says something in person, not when they can type

No point in going back on forth on this, but I will ask you don't you think the existing group also has an obligation to be respectful? As a 'Newbie' wouldn't I find that more appealing and therefore be able to integrate more easily? Sorry but the bulk of this thread regarding the retro element doesn't give that impression, not to me anyway.

Pete be honest when was the last time you saw a group of people turn up at a do expecting to have a circle formed round them, whilst they flick-flacked across the floor? Doesn't happen, apart from at the dance competition at weekenders.

The general consensus on the retro side of this thread appears to be that the mainstream is trying to recreate the seventies. The ethic of the scene in the seventies was to hear and find new music, which is what most appear to want to be happening now, so my question is, aren't both sides effectively guilty of trying to recreate their youth?

Would they? Read back through the thread and tell me if you were in their position whether you'd feel welcome or not.

Steve, I'm not trying to blow your trumpet for you, but you have what I consider an encyclopaedic knowledge of northern, so how many 'new to your ears' records would you estimate you hear per week/month or over a year, and where do you hear them. Is it at an event or at home. Let me make it clear this is NOT a dig at you or anybody else, what I'm trying to establish is that you're the kind of soul fan, who'll actually listen or research into something new and your like is few and far between. Sorry this reply isn't attached to a relevant post to my question

The documentaries are showing the scene for what it is, what's obviously annoying the majority on Source is that they focus on the mainstream aspect rather than the pockets of resistance. Whilst I agree there are two separate scenes, it seems ridiculous not to recognise that they are related however distant people think the lineage is. I didn't go to the Butlins weekender, but are we seriously suggesting that they didn't play a single quality record there, are we seriously suggesting that out of the 7000 attendees not one of them will progress to wanting to hear something a little different? Instead of alienating them by constantly criticising where they go, what they wear, and what they're listening to, how about embracing their love of soul music and making them feel that they'd be welcome at a 'rare' event. Too many rules and regulations will eventually kill any hope of new blood and new music filtering through. Chalky, this reply isn't aimed directly at you buddy, just attached to one of your posts. I realise it's not a popular view, but if we are going to leave some sort of musical legacy, then in my view we have to be a little less up our own arses.

Not like me to quote from the Bible but Corinthians; When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Unfortunately Des, on either side of the argument, not everyone is like you Winnie

Do you not think that that might be in reply to constant 'Dressed like clowns' comments that appear fairly regularly, without any real knowledge about how long said 'Clown' has been around. Just a thought by the way

Sorry Chalks, it should have read 2 or 3, definitely NOT two thirds hahahaha

I'm not saying they're visible in abundance, just that some do wear wear the uniform, even at the 100.

That's not strictly true Pete, there's 2/3 that wear bags to the 100, although I haven't been for 18 months so things might have changed. A few used to wear vests as well, I'm not going to name them because I don't know if they're on source, but they definitely exist

somebody would, I'm reliably informed that the internet is full of such sites