Original
Cruisers Christmas Party
The
Falstaff
Southport
9th
January 2016
Well
who would have thought it? A Christmas party in January! But nothing like being
quirky! The Cruisers bash was previously scheduled for the 19th
December – but for one reason or another it got pushed back to the 9th
January – Incidentally the date of Jimmy Page’s Birthday and sadly Lemmy’s
Funeral.
The
parking is hit and miss for The Falstaff but we managed to find a space just
around the corner which was lucky as it was pissing down with rain – no change
there then!
By
the time we got to the Falstaff things were ‘hotting up’ nicely! Circus Freak – the band Charlie had to
play for the evening were setting up and sound checking, and we went around
saying our hello’s to various people.
Charlie,
Jan, John and Joan, Adam, Erika, Andy, Sue, Carla, Lee, and Tracy. A bit later
Steve, Dawn and Gail showed up, and furthering still Princess Whitney and Mick,
Nick, plus Mr Ron and Graham Road King whom we didn’t manage to say hello to,
followed by Mike and Di whom we spent the rest of the evening with.
Pagan, Mike, Di and Graham
Photo courtesy of Adam Brown
Pagan, Mike Di and Adam
Photo courtesy of Graham Lee
Graham and Pagan
Photo courtesy of Adam Brown
The
layout of the Falstaff isn’t the best for bands and the poor guys were asked to
set up at the back of the pub behind a wall, which they said posed a few
problems with the sound as it kept bouncing off the wall and there wasn’t much
room for them at all, but they made a good job out of a bad situation and it
didn’t stop the crowd enjoying it at all, as lots were already up on the dance
floor.
However,
the staff were lovely, one especially called Amanda, her welcoming smile and
friendly nature was indeed an asset to the pub and its patrons.
Amanda
Photo courtesy of Adam Brown
We
found a table on the second level and chatted there. It had a good view point
for saying hello to people joining the party.
Di and Charlie
Mike, Di and Charlie
Graham and Pagan
Photo courtesy of Paul 'Manny' Mansfield
Charlie and Princess Whitney Dean
Charlie and wife Jan
Andy
was in charge of the music, although my request for Disturbed went unnoticed,
but the music he did play had us all singing along, so I have to forgive him! -
Well it ‘was’ Christmas lol.
Devoid
of decorations which mattered very little, people were already once again in a
party spirit, the laughter and smiling faces said it all.
A
few Orange Juices later one of the staff members came round with a card and was
asking people to write their name under a football team for a mere 1.00 a go. I
had five goes and Graham had two, although he wrote my name on his two. Neither
of us could see what we were doing in the semi darkness but only right to
participate and get into party mode. (Although needless to say neither of us won but couldn't hear the announcement over all the noise!)
Finally
Circus Freak https://www.facebook.com/circusfreakrocks
from
the Bolton, Manchester and Liverpool area,
began and although we were behind the wall the sound was pretty excellent
although frustrating as it was not an ideal spot to sit in if you want to see
the band perform, however there was a small window at the side of us and so I
decided to investigate and low and behold a good view of the band.
Through
one of the varied tracks the band played, Dan the band’s front-man appeared at
the window – his nose squashed against the pane of glass - that caused a laugh
or two, but when I sat looking through it from the other side the band came
over and sang to me through the window – which I must say was a lovely touch
and quite unusual so I blew them a few kisses, it was the least I could do! – Not
many people can say they watched a band through a window, but taking photos
through it is definitely not recommended.
Circus Freak were behind this window I swear!
As
it was the legend Lemmy Kilmister’s Funeral shown on the Official Motorhead
Channel it was only right that an announcement from Charlie and a toast to a
man who has been around for centuries and one whom we all thought would outlive
every one of us – was fitting for the occasion, despite it being a party, the
whole room raised their glasses and drank to the master.
Lemmy joined us at the party - in spirit
A
big thanks as well to Mike Lloyd for letting us watch the funeral on his mobile
– although the sound was obliterated with party sounds – The main thing was we
were all together celebrating Lemmy’s life – the way it should be.
Sadly
Circus Freak didn’t know any Motorhead tracks but at the end of the
night Andy the DJ put Ace of Spades on and everyone sang along to it – but Lemmy will never die as he is in the
hearts of millions of fans nor will he ever be forgotten, he was too much of a
legend, his music lives on in each and every one of us and that goes for
Philthy Phil too – gawd knows what hell they are causing in Heaven, or indeed
what Heaven they are causing in Hell right now!!
The
party was far from over as Circus Freak
began their second set with more familiar tracks and more banter than anyone
could handle. Each and every one of them got in the zone. As the band went walkabout poor Gaz the
drummer pretended to look pissed off and stood behind his kit smoking his
electronic cig so I took the opportunity to snap a photo and later on when
Princess Whitney took to the stage to sing Born to be Wild with them it was
then Dan’s turn to feel left out so he sat at the table Graham and I sat in at
the start of the evening and looked very glum, so I went over and commiserated
with him – of course his glumness wasn’t meant as a wide grin came over his
lips and then he jumped back up and returned to the band behind the wall.
Gaz - drummers always get stuck at the back!
Whitters putting her stamp on 'Born to be Wild'
Photo courtesy of Graham Lee
Adam photobombing Circus Freak
Paul, Dan and Roy
Dan and Roy
Paul, Dan and Roy
Roy Clark proving he CAN play guitar!
Dan with his head in the clouds
It
was a superb evening with sincere friends who all care about each other and that
for me is what it is all about.
Jan and Charlie
Hosts with the most!
Charlie and Lee
The awesome Mr Ron Knight
Steve Barfoot and Dawn Bolton
(Now you know the party has really begun)
Steve, Dawn and Gail
The lovely Tracey
Amy, Princess Whitney, Tracey and Jan with Charlie at the back!
Whitney and Graham speaking in some weird sign language
Photo courtesy of Paul 'Manny' Mansfield
On
leaving and doing the rounds again, this time saying our goodbyes, it was sad
leaving such a fabulous event behind, but all good things come to an end at
some point, but we were so glad we attended and participated.
No explanation needed!
Photo courtesy of Graham Lee
~~~~~~
Special thanks to Charlie Brown, Jan Brown, Adam Brown, Andy
Brown, The Falstaff staff, (Amanda) Erika Day, Lee J Ward-Kelly, Carla Aindow,
Sue Aindow, Tracey, and Amy, Princess Whitney Dean, Leeanne New, Mick Cook,
Nick Hodgson, Ron Knight, Graham Roadking, Mike Lloyd and Diane Lloyd, Steve
Barfoot, Dawn Bolton and her sister Gail plus Circus Freak who gave us some
great tuneage! (And who are all really nice down to earth guys with a superb sense of humour!) Catch them at The Talbot in
Burnley on the 17th January. Last but far from least my wonderful other half Graham Lee who got us there and back
in one piece – you rawk!!
HAPPY BELATED CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!!
