Double O Soul

My first time at the Floral Hall. I've heard some great things about it, so Looking forward to finding out for myself.

Fancy advertising an event and not stating where it is . . .

Well, what a fabulous afternoon and First Anniversary celebration that turned in to. I want to give a sincere thanks to everybody who helped to make the event the success it was. For Jon and I, it was a return and the welcome was so heart-warming. I might not always show my own feelings, but I for one was buzzing with it all. The girls behind the bar looked a bonny as ever, and didn’t they put a day’s graft in?! Well done ladies. Jon and I drifted in to spinning a few records after connecting everything up. Then the mighty Paul got the show on the road. Well done mate. Everything flowed well from the record box and on to the decks so well. DJ Stan turned my head more than once with some astonishing discoveries and long lost sounds. Stuff I must had gathering dust in the attic and once I saw the floor’s reaction to them, knew I need to bring down, dust them off and pop back into my play box. In view of the country’s recent bereavement, Andy halted proceeding midway through his set and asked that the room might observe a minute’s silence. We might not all be royalists, but I think most recognise the passing of a good heart, and indeed, when the minute of reflection was up, there was a genuine warm round of applause. So, thank you Andy for thanking the lead on that act of remembrance. Kim kept me on the dance floor, dancing, and no matter how much I told him off, he kept on play belter after belter. I think here, the raffle was draw, so thank God, I could take a breather. Here might be a suitable moment to mention we have our own regulars who are facing life threaten issues and we all send them our love to. So, get well soon. My hour, as ever just flew by. When planning to go to battle in the middle of a war, the strategists will spend days drawing up plans of engagement, setting aims and objectives, ensuring adequate resources are available and in the right place at the right time. Rehearsals might be conducted; everything is prepared ready for the final count down. A common saying is that in the chaos of war, the very first victim, the very first thing to fail is the battle plan, and so it was with my set. I knew what I was going to play and the order it was to be played in, but records flooded the floor and once full, I was dragged off in a totally different direction. Smiling faces say it all. Celebration cake was cut and distributed. Thank you, Jo, the single candle looked so cute. Jamie, took the decks on a final spin, and there was no let up for the dancers. Watch out for the events that Jamie and DJ Stan put on in the York area to. Thank you everyone who brought nibbles, cake, buns, everything, but hands off the Soreen, that’s mine!!! Sorry the newsletter was a little late, but we hope to keep it going. The CD’s seem to have got a good reception and if people like the idea, who knows, we might do it again All that said, the very best was all the lovely compliments we got from everybody. It really does make all the effort worthwhile. We appreciate the footfall through our doors. They are many who have been and gone, those who pop back occasionally and our regulars. Thank you for your support, but most of all, thank you for your friendship. Here’s to another year.

Going to stick my nose through the door and see what all the fuss is about

Newsletter available and sandwiches.

Andy, you'll be surprised with the couple of new spins I've got for this Sunday.

The Final Whistle is going through a change of management team, but I hear the new people are as equally enthusiastic about Northern Soul and Motown, so be kind to them, they might not understand why so many people can be so nice in such huge numbers.

The first few events in establishing a new event can be a roller coaster of a ride: will it take off; will we get enough support; will people want to come back? Well, today, I think you proved we are well established in spades. Your loyalty and support are seeing us through. Being punter-centric means are developing a ‘sound’ that is unique to us, to Selby, to the Final Whistle. We try so hard to play your favourites tunes and mix them in with floor fillers and much-loved classics and when discovered, bring to the fore, future classics. To day was summarised by this quote, “You know Steve, keeping up with and dancing to all these great tunes, you need to install a defibrillator somewhere here soon.” Made me laugh my head off.

Jamie Walker from York. I suspect you have met him in the dim and distant past. Always able to fill the floor with a Motown set. Don't let me limit you with that idea, he can develop a set very professionally. Kim White from Selby. Hard core Northern Soul exponent. he collects a lot of alternate tunes. Always pulls a goody out of the bag each month DJ Stan again from York. Now this lad has an ear for a tune. Lots of R&B and some old mod tunes. Well worth a listen. Andy (Sparky) Clark, another Selby lad with a collection of popular Northern Soul Classics. Trips around the country playing at different venues. Paul Worthington, who manages the Final Whistle. He keeps us on our toes as we guide him in behind the decks. Then me, tail end charlie. Sweeping up the gaps in the music behind the stars.