St Ives Reunion Saturday the 20th October 2001

St Ivo's & the ald fella

Didn't manage to start out as early as we would have liked due to unforeseen circumstances which I won't go into, but managed to arrive at 9.00pm.   Nightmare of a place to find , asked five people on route where it was, and none of them came from the area? Bit like London :-)

 The car park was full.....good sign :-) Walked through the doors to a buzz of dealers & Boxes! Hand stamped and off we went. 

First person to bump into was my luverly big mate Mark always makes me feel welcome , hugs and chat then off to try and get a drink  The bar was rammed , I think maybe they underestimated the size of the crowd that they were going to pull. The place was heaving must have been at least 700 people there, and all up for a good night Gave up on the bar and went in search of other KTFr's ...Steve, Mike ,Alan, Winston, and Nooooooogsy! (who was on top form). 

Admired Martins outfit that he dug up out of the loft (shoulder pads too) and mingled for a while.Bri went to the boxes and I hit the floor.......lovely floor.....great sounds, everyone a classic. I loved dancing back and just watching the emotions expressed by some of the dancers as they sang their liccle hearts out while dancing with such feeling :-) they were all 18 again! Before I knew it it was 11.00pm.....must dash to the foyer as Bri had arranged for Brian Rae to meet up with me to tell me about the old days at St Ives. 

Brian came in on time we pulled up a couple of chairs and off he went. I did enjoy listening to him not only talk about those times but also about the scene in general. He was telling me that it all started out when they used to go out on the road with the "Northern Soul road show, spreading the faith over the Peterborough  Kettering area bringing bus loads of soulies down with them  then they thought they would give St Ives a go.  It's aim was to be a little be different than Wigan , and not play the norm. In order to bring people in that wanted to hear something a little different. Dates are a bit vague but he reckoned it was about 75/76 , he talked of the "dark room" which was always packed to capacity, all he had to work with over the decks was three light bulbs pointing backwards ! Then he spoke on another time when they had to use the gymnasium for the do', apparently you became damp as soon as you entered through the doors. His record sleeves were soaking wet, and as he put the records on the decks he had to wipe the droplets of moisture off the vinyl....it's a wonder he didn't blow himself up :-) I had to ask him did he ever get nervous? and yes it is the norm, you wouldn't be doing a good job if you weren't a little anxious , also the equipment was always his main concern , he has this knack of knowing if it was a bit suspect. I also asked if he ever had a break from the scene..........NEVER ! he went 8 years without a roast dinner on a Sunday.....I reckon he's caught up now I thought as I looked at the old bulge down below,  I could have listened to him hours :-) watched him working, listening to the sounds playing so that he didn't repeat the plays later, as he chatted. Also it was like sitting next to Royally, there was a constant stream of people wanting to shake his hand throughout our chat. We got onto vinyl several time :-) I was asking him about Charles  Spurlings "Mr  Cool" ...is it hard to find?  He explains well it will be now that it's on the latest King CD...........then pops Brian and what has he got in his hand......only the friggin record!!! made my night :-) sniffer Mac does it again. Before we knew it it was 12.15,  he had to split as he was on at 12.30. 

Back into the room and the floor was heavy with an army of feet and claps all in full flow. We sat down and watched the floor and Dee Dee Sharps Bye Bye baby came on......oooooooh I was dying to get out there and give it some. Could see Noggsy in his element spinning and grooving , but I was reluctant to leave me record unattended , wasn't bothered about the handbag. Had to make do with chair dancing and watching Noggsy.......It was great :-) Every Sound was excellent. I'm not going to pick odd one's out, because they were all friggin floor rippers. 

rating- 10/10

Carms X

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Thanks Carmen from Myself  [John] and Stephen.

e-mail about St Ives

Dave Leedham,  Halifax West Yorkshire [Manifesto]

What a night...............................absolutely brilliant, you should be really proud that you and Steve put together the event of the year.

I'll give you a call later and hopefully we can get together later this week.

Pete Burton

I had to write and say well done on Saturday I had a great night and so did everyone else so far as I could tell. I hope you and Steve do another one next year or even the year after. I bet you were pleased with the turn out I know  you were worried  (that's your trouble you worry too much) It was so good to see  everyone, I haven't clapped eyes on Austin since 1980 I would say but still recognized  him, just a pity Chris Gee and Steve Bond didn't show still never mind was their loss. cheers   Karen xx

Regards

Steve Walker [Kings Lynn]

Thanks for a great night ,it was great to see friends I haven't seen for 20+ years the music was great and the atmosphere was terrific.

hope the next ones sooner rather than later + can it go on longer as I didn't want this one to end.