Janie Nichols

I didn’t win a record along with the prize money. just the money. i won the dance competition to Come on Train. ic there was a list of the final record that each winner danced to we could complimented list of winners more accurately I think . each dancer never would forget which record the won too

I dont think Angie won at Wigan . I think she won other dance competitions elsewhere. I won one of the very early ones against two guys. i really thought it was the first anniversary . I won £100 first prize. The record I won too was Come on Train Don Thomas. i left the stage before being photographed. perhaps if the winners could name the record that won them the title all the mystery could be cleared up . janie Nichols xx

I agree.. you think there would be some sort of record. Unless it was burnt along with the Casino. I can’t remember having my photo taken . I could be wrong though .

No .. I went to Blackpool Mecca often though, then jumped on the coach to the Casino after. highland room there.

Yes it looks a tough one! im sure they did hold more dance competitions in between later in . However my win was kind of the early ones. in afraid I was convinced it was an anniversary one . I know for sure though that it was a first place win! could never forget that xx took my £100 prize money xx

I’m so glad that you remember! seems like no one can remember my winxx i really thought it was 1974 but Frankie has photos of Steve’s win. I know I won £100 so maybe they upped the prize money up after that .. who knows. I would love to nail down the year . some of the crew from a lancaster are no longer around of i have just lost touch by growing up and all of the stuff that goes with that it has to be 1974 or 1975. I was offered to go on top of the Pops after my dance win , that was then it was just before the silliness crept in with the PYE label stuff and such like. You perhaps might remember better than me. 1974 was the 1st all nighter so maybe the commercialism set in after the 1975 dance competition. so glad you remember! Feeling a bit lost in the annuls if time as if history might wipe md out … but knowing it was true and it felt overwhelming! I must have won it in 1975 then.

Hi Frankie , I am pictured next to the guy in the sleeveless scoop neck shirt . I’m in profile . my winnings were a £100 i blew it all in Top Shop in Manchester with some lovely clothes including a fab twirling skirt! great times xx i wish there was a photo like that if all the winners. That would be so helpful. take care xx

Hi Frankie, I guess it could have been either 74 or 75. Not later. I was dancing against two guys. I deffo remember that I won though.. I’d never forget that Din Thomas Come in Train the final record I won too. I was known as Janie from Lancaster. we were all known by where we were from weren’t we ? funnily enough I became Janie Lancaster later through marriage. that’s me in the patterned tee shirt in the photos. All us kids having a fabulous time ! take care xx

The year I won was the 1st Anniversary. 1974. I think later the casino had more than 1 dance completion a year. so that would account for the memories if people attributing different dancers to the same year.

Cool xxx I can’t remember the winner of 1976 I’m afraid. you’d have thought there would be a way of finding out who the winners were wouldn’t you? do no one keep a record of them ? the casino cheque book would show the records maybe, but it would have been burned with the casino . I still love the music .. still dance .. keep on dancing .. it never leaves you does it xx

I think Angie from Blackpool win the year later. hope this helps. at the time , I was overwhelmed by winning! It was the best feeling. the two guys were amazing and I felt I wouldn’t win against such athletes. the groove of the music took me as it did all of us at the casino. what wonderful times we all had. later in life those memories have added warmth to me.

Hi . It’s Janie (nee Nichols ) here. I won the dance competition if 1974 to Come On Train. I was dancing again 2 guys. I won £100 which was given to me by the manager Mike Green. he later asked me if I would go on Top of the Pops to dance. I declined saying I believed our soul scene was special and didn’t want to undermine its integrity. I was in the crowd in the back cover of the worst record in the world. however, I treasure that photo of such happy times . hope this can add to your catalogue of winners list .

That’s right . I just fell off the scene. Life is full of unexpected turns. I still, Wigan was a massive part of my life as it was for all of us. And it’s still in my blood . I remember you. What mem you have brought back for me! Id love to see the picture in your biscuit tin.! I’d love to read your forth coming book too! ps Gilly, I did go out with Dave Evison, as you rightly say but I never knew I was just in a long line of other blondes! The rat! Ha ha only joking . I’m glad Dave is happy.. he was a really great guy when I knew him. I’m happy too xx I do remember you too. And the other names are com8ng back to me. It was great in those days as we travelled everywhere on the train and made new friends all over the place. We were really soul brothers and sisters and it was a real cameraderi between us all. It was so special. Happy days indeed.

So good to hear old friends. I wish we could all travel back in time and have another fantastic weekend . Very happy memories. Miss those times sometimes.

Hi. . Yes I did win the dance competition at Wigan it was one of the early ones. It was mainly a boys thing as you say... and in the final it was boys and me, and I won to Come On Train. I was given £100 for my prize but the winning was the real prize. i always danced my socks off all night. Loved Wigan. Still dancing. Sometimes the girlies have it too... it’s like electric when you here the music. It takes you over. And I still feel the same way after all these years. It’s great to read all these posts as although I don’t get to many dance nights , I still listen to the music and still dance at home. It’s been nice to be remembered Xx girl power LOL