History
Glyn Williams & Ian Marriott originally got together as promoters during 1997
to promote a Northern Soul Night at the now famous Alfreton Leisure Centre.
At the time soul clubs were few and far between. Only one other club existed in
the area - the now closed 'Hollingwood Hotel' soul nights.
The Northern soul scene was ready for some exposure again.
Originally called 'The Soultastic Soul Club' regular nights were ran on a
monthly basis at the Alfreton Leisure Centre. During the summer months the club
would use the Bowls Hall facility - a low ceiling room capable of holding over
700 people.
During the winter months the main Sports Hall was the venue being typical of
a sports centre room. Again over 700 people could be catered for in the room.
The club changed it's name to 'The Alfreton Soul Club' when Glyn & Ian could no
longer work together in 1999 and Glyn sold his interest in the club to Ian..
Ian carried on the Legacy for the next few years but sadly ended the regular
nights due to decreasing audience figures, rising local authority charges for
the facility and a plethora of new nights taking audience share.
Alfreton had become a victim of it's own success. Initially attracting regular
attendances of 700 plus, Alfreton spurned other soul fans into opening more soul
nights.
Annesley,
Awsworth, Ilkeston, Pilsley and many more soul nights sprung up to meet the
demand of a thirsty soul crowd looking to re-join the scene.
As the number of venues increased, the number of patrons visiting Alfreton
decreased until during 2004 it started to become unviable as a large venue soul night and
Ian decided to close the venue.
Alfreton made history in the Northern Soul scene. The club re-introduced many
songs that were laying forgotten in dusty record boxes back into the limelight
and back into popularity.
The Jelly Beans - You don't mean me no good and Yvonne Baker's version of 'I
can't change were just two of those which went on to be massive tracks once
again.
Alfreton was the soul night to see all the top dj's and watch the best dancers in the country spin, flip and tear their little heart out on the dancefloor.
The atmosphere was brilliant and will remain in the memories of many soulies.
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