it's my website, so my decision what things I say on it
Homepage
homepage
This website was first created in 1987 the internet was
still being developed as a communication tool in a nuclear war. The idea
of it ever being used in almost all UK homes just seemed to far fetched
to be considered a real possibility. I was recovering from extensive
injuries in a hospital in Oxford I had plenty of time to reflect on
things. My injuries meant I was confined to a wheelchair the left side
was paralysed with no feeling at all. Not being able to choose the
books, magazines , and papers I read. You where glad to read anything to
pass the day away not being a regular reader it was difficult to
know what to bring. My younger brother Andrew a ex Wigan casino member
knew that was a good item to keep me occupied. So found books on
northern soul which he knew would interest me. I was reading a book
about how the great attraction to Wigan casino had developed. It was
nothing that resembled the true attraction to the allnighter at all. How
it was a meeting place to buy and sell rare records often many people
there spent the whole night going through record box's. Then often
headed to an alldayer to go through many more. Each to there own
interest if you enjoy it do it live life your own way.
I could'nt of cared less what label it was on the sound that came out was my total interest. Getting on
the dancefloor was what attracted me there the atmosphere and the
thrill. Spending all night listening to obscure rare records not heard
anywhere else at the time. The all night theme was a totally rebellious
feeling I was young and it was not conforming to normal life of working
all week get paid blow the lot on beer on Saturday night. When most
teenagers where going home after there gallon of beer and fish + chips I
was waiting for my night to start. When the normal teenagers where
kicking a football on a pitch for some Sunday league side I was heading
to an alldayer to start stage 2. How anybody can get so trapped into a
life of living to a clock and other peoples ideals. I wont ever
understand I would'nt even try to. You are all conforming to life's
predefined expectations you are a moron.
The members of Wigan casino where in general trying to escape it.
The thought of spending most of my life to a schedule would not of
happened ever to me. I had a father who never lived to other people's
rules. Ok he did'nt die leaving me millions he enjoyed life to the day
he died 100%. He had no interest in things that where nothing other than
trophies of conforming to others standards of must have items. He owned
everything like house, car, ect and was always self employed.
The regimented get there by a time work until the clock tells you it's
time to go home. Until the next day when you can do exactly the same
was'nt going to be his life. So it was'nt a option for me either he told
me never be a nobody with the things your neighbour as. Or every day and
and free time you get. Will be spent doing the same as he does f*** all.
Get out and live life to the full the more you upset the better your
doing it.
For visitors who look at the pictures
above with fond memories. It's great to look back and still feel
glad you have it to remember. The memories will be with you
always fresh in your mind like it was 30 days not years ago. I look
back and still remember waiting in Station road to go in like it was
yesterday. The same way a large amount of other's do. It was a
special time and place for everyone who attended Wigan casino
allnighters. My opinion as remained the same since the casino closed
in 1981. There will never be another northern soul allnighter that
as the same kind of big impact as the casino created. It was on TV
in newspapers the whole nation had heard about it. The strange
people who went there stayed awake all night dancing to some kind of
obscure USA soul music. Even thou at the time not much was known
about the northern soul scene. How it had evolved from the 1960's
mod's fashion the first clubs where directed at the mod's fashion.
Both the Twisted wheel in Manchester and the Golden torch in Stoke
on Trent. Had both started to attract mod's through the door so the
ties to the fashion are without any doubt in my mind at least. But
there will be people reading this who will disagree and say it
started because of this nothing to do with the mod's at all. I have
always been a man who considers himself right. But at the same time
will listen to other peoples view and opinion of it. I've become
much more rational with age. I might appear to be a know it all git
but 1 thing I admit I don't know everything. If you see a mistake
about anything at all on this site. Please contact me and point it
out.
I
had no great desire to kick a ball about go fishing or anything like
normality. Like the 1000 or so others there it was a way of getting
away from the way you where expected to behave. But dancing all
night was'nt the way you should been bought up. But being a teenager
if you got told not to you made sure you did do it. But my dad was
never the sort to conform when neighbours remarked about me staying
out all night. He said mind your own business he enjoys it and it
gets you lot niggled so I enjoy him doing it as well. I was very
fortunate that my father was very self motivated he said what I
could do. The easiest way to get him to allow you to do anything was
get a neighbour to say you don't let him do that surely. He would
say your going whether you want to or not. I wont be dictated to by
neighbours how to bring you up. Your my son not there's. So they
want to learn to mind there own business.
Of coarse not every parent in the UK was anything like mine. I know
from experience there was many who would of loved to have gone but
could'nt. It felt like your parents prevented you being a part of
Wigan casino's history but it's just there way of protecting you. My
father was just the rare sort that what he thought was right is what
he did. It was great at times but sometimes he said no and it
could'nt be changed. I had a neighbour who thought teenagers do not
stay out after dark honestly. She was the sort that told everybody
how there children should be bought up so I told her about Wigan
casino. I happened to mention my father was happy for me to go even
wanted me to go so I did'nt have long before she told my father he
was making a mistake. That the unruly way I had was his fault as I
had no discipline and did what I wanted. She might as well give me
the money to get in as well my father went mad at her he said her
sons where puff's. If I was like them he would drown me. In his eyes
you had to be seen to be a man fight & never back down. He was as
strong as a ox and as hard as granite I had no choice but to be the
100% man or get his temper up to boiling point. Most parents would
be angry if they caught there teenager nude with the girl from next
door. My father was pleased could'nt wait to tell the entire pub
what he caught his son doing. If a teacher hit me for something I
had'nt done he went straight up the school and hit them twice as
hard. Worked out great they where so scared I would tell him most
where scared to hit me. If your parents where'nt as liberated as
mine, so your where unable to attend allnighters as young as me.
They only had you at heart. You might of got a education, there is
always to sides of every story good and bad
The pictures above are a much better guide to my website's
intension. There all from important milestones in the history of the
UK northern soul scene. Spanning the important cycle of it's
creation from it's starting point in the 1960's mods days at the
Twisted wheel in Manchester. The only surviving club which still
holds allnighters and northern soul sessions at the 2nd home it had
after moving to 6 Whitworth street. A disused warehouse in the mid
1960's from the original Brazennose street location. The
Torch another mods club in Tunstall Stoke on Trent followed on from
the Twisted wheel. The Torch sadly only had a very brief time before
it was closed later burning down so no longer exists. The Torch
paved the way for the for the most successful allnighter ever in the
UK. Wigan casino which opened on 23rd of September 1973 in the old
Empress ballroom, Station road Wigan. The opening night had received
no big advertising campaign other than a page in blue's + soul
magazine and 2 posters on the outside wall in Station road.
But back then it was quite different to today allnighter's where
very much more underground word of mouth was still widely used to
get people to attend. The club had 600+ on the first night which
started at 2am. It later was earlier at 12.30 but the early
allnighters always started at 2 o'clock. In 1981 the casino held
it's final night and was closed to make way for a new shopping
centre development which stands on the Station road location the
casino once occupied. The rumours of the development had
circulated around the casino for years. Many of the people there
doubted it would ever go ahead. Shortly after the allnighter closed.
Like it's predecessor the Torch the Empress ballroom was destroyed
by fire. So it cleared Wigan's problem of teenage invaders each
weekend but also cleared the money generated for it's economy as
well.
Garry William Keen
The internet like almost every avenue life takes you down. Is
just a lead by others example. First 0ne person does it. Soon
after a few others are attracted to it, then a avalanche of the
general public. A short time ago it was eBay's turn for the
spotlight. You could'nt watch the TV without somebody selling
something on eBay right across the world. From neighbours the
Australian series, to Jonathan Ross all had items listed on
eBay. The inevitable had to happen, it became the public's place
to shift unwanted items lay around sell them for a quick profit.
The fact items that where bought for example £100 where later
sold for £10. Bargains galore for the general public everybody
was claiming to make a fortune. As always is the case some
normal small sellers did, without the backing of multi national
companies behind them. Mostly the sellers who said nothing to
people just found a item that was in demand to the public with a
good profit margin. But as soon as a selling outlet is
established, it's not long until 2 others find it. First comes
the big selling companies with them, comes there massive buying
power. When you buy in 25,000 units at a time the price you pay
is below. The average public seller who listed some items to
make a bit of pocket money. But there price had to drop to be
competitive to the market so ended up with the same work for
less money. Some sellers survived but a lot just packed it in,
so the public lost a harmless place to make a bit of extra
money. Next along came the online fraudsters nothing ever came
even after you paid. In all fairness to eBay they acted quickly
to counteract fraudulent sellers. But that many scams where
common knowledge no matter what steps got taken a few would get
through. I have no idea how you feel but my opinion is eBay was
far more better a few years ago than now. It is simply another
online sales outlet to commercial to keep the early theme of
free market. It is another shop to buy in but a excellent place
to find items for sale nowhere else.
The current trend is social media sites like facebook, MySpace, and
plenty of new portals to try to catch some of there success. But
do we need all these online portals. All that's happened is
various places for a far wider and varied assortment of
bulls***. A lot of these planks believe what there saying is
true, if they think it's true what hope do people have. I have
spoken to people on occasions. To be abrupt punching there teeth
down there throat would make them wonder, why you did it.
Because they irritate you, for some unexplainable reason is
no longer allowed as mitigating circumstances. I've always
considered it more than enough reason myself, but apparently a
ducking stool to determine the guilt of witches as been outlawed
as unfair. That must of been yet another European ruling, it
seemed fair to me. Never hung a innocent person I knew about.
Bloody appeal courts let people get away with it nowadays. Never
got many witches appeal, need I say more must of been fair. Or
the appeal court would of been full of cauldrons and broom
handles.
Life is the most unforgetting judge you will ever meet At the time
of Wigan casino a majority of members where in there teens.
Young without experience or knowledge to guide them. Many did
things totally out of character for there normal life. Breaking
the law was not a thing a large percent had ever done
before or done again since. But they have to carry the burden of
being young and making mistakes. For there entire life, some
people where far to nieve for there own good. There are bad
apples in every bunch who prey on other peoples nieve behaviour.
Wigan casino was not exempt either. But the actions of the
minority reflected on the publics perception of the majority.
For some of the members, who came from a sheltered background. I felt
ashamed of the treatment they received. At the end of the day we
all where there, for the same reason. The thrill associated with
being in the top arena for northern soul music at the time. In
my opinion Wigan casino was heaven on earth for northern soul
music. OK run down and in desperate need of renovation. But a
packed casino heaved with excitement, energy, and atmosphere. No
other club in the UK came close to the Wigan casino tingle. I
went to most of the other allnighters, and alldayers at the
time. Not 1 came anywhere close to Wigan casino's exclusive
feeling or atmosphere.
At the time you often heard just like Wigan casino, In reality it
was nothing at all like Wigan casino at all. I heard that st
Ives, Yate, Cleethorpes, and a few other places where better.
Until I had been to them, they where all playing very good
records. I had good night's at them all but as good as Wigan
casino not in my opinion. Cleaner maybe as most where newer
building's without the brilliant dance floor. But being
better was never in question as far as I could see. But each
person had a different idea. Wigan casino had a hierarchical
system of it's members if you did'nt fit in you never would.
Those who did'nt feel they got the kind of attention they
deserved. Often went to another club then as soon as people
there. Took notice of there appearance. They got there
confidence restored and proceeded to slag Wigan casino off. As
2nd rate the club that acknowledged there presence was 100 times
better, much cleaner and a lot nearer there home. Which possibly
was the real reason why the got noticed more. They could bang on
more about things of no real value to local people they knew.
To me there was only one place to be for northern soul and the best
place was Station road Wigan. I'd been to the others for me
nowhere had the atmosphere, excitement, exclusive feeling, and
Maple wood dance floor you got at Wigan casino. The sort of
reception was earned not given as your dad was rich or was in
the golf club. The people who had been used to getting things at
school because father had got them a new blazer and complete
uniform mother washed and pressed each week. Suddenly got
nothing given had to start with zero the same as the rest, It
was something they had never done before. Most never lasted long
Create your badge
After the Twisted wheel was closed the attention
was focused on Wakefield briefly. When the Metro allnighter
became the UK's no1 allnighter and place to go for northern soul
music. At the time 1971 the UK scene and venue's where still
geared towards the mod's fashion which remained popular still.
Maybe they where the true force behind the UK northern soul
scene as a large amount of the best things came from that era.
The Catacomb's was already gaining a lot of interest but
although it opened in 1965. It was yet to be recognized as the
strong force it was for northern soul music. There became a long
list of clubs that never got listed in the top list. But where a
major influence on the way the northern soul scene got directed.
The Catacomb's had a reputation for finding the records of
quality. That went on to be made big at the Twisted wheel and
the Torch later on. That came from the history of it not from
me. The location of a venue often created a feeling of special
interest to local's. I have always felt the Catacomb's was the
best allnighter ever, even thou I only ever went 2 or 3 times.
Right near the end in 1974 the first time memory of being packed
in so much it was more like the north bank at the Wolves. I
remember how much of a thrill it felt at 14 to be in a adult
world. It was the first time I had seen men dancing on
there own and enjoying themselves, like nothing else exsisted
there 1 + only interest was the music. From my first encounter
with soul music played at every teenage disco at the time I
loved it. After my first club I was totally besotted by the
excitement and atmosphere. Maybe it was just a child being
accepted into a adult's world I don't know. But from then on
nothing seemed to be as important as the next allnighter,
alldayer, or what ever was on. A family wedding you did'nt get
drunk and left in time to reach to get to an allnighter.
Normality of life was'nt what interested you at all. When a
majority of teenagers had drunk and eat the normal gallon of
beer and fish and chips. Had vommited it all back up, scored a
blank off the local girl every boy wanted to shag. Your
night was about to get started. The big difference was it did'nt
include getting drunk or the mundane things expected of
you. You
From visitors replies over time it is apparent. Visitors enjoy
reminders and memories associated with Wigan casino allnighter. At
the time the UK had just come from the swinging 60's a much happier
time than today. This site touches on content like the illegal use
of amphetamines at allnighters. This was a part of the scene at the
time. So is included in the site content, as a reference to a
familiar sound up the M6 at the time was "got any gear". People call
me a liar, who made it up to attract visitors to my website. I have
always said if it's untrue, take me to court you have that option. A
UK citizen can file a complaint. In courts through out the UK. So
they can publicly force me to state everything I state as true. To
be completely false. Nobody is named on this site by me or ever will
be. The contents are for people to reminisce on times 30+ years ago.
It is'nt a thing I would recommend to visitors it was very much
related to the 1960's and 70's and as no resemblance to today's
society. I have a number of really good friends who attended Wigan
casino with the other's. But paid with there lives not a lie the
reality of allnighters. I don't have a problem with taking
interested parties on a tour of numerous cemeteries all over
north-west England and beyond. Where friends are laid to rest, some
a mere 17 year old youth. Explain to them it's lies