Review: Bridge F. C. 50th birthday party

Subject: Review: Bridge F. C. 50th birthday party
From: Wolfhound person
Date: 19 Nov 08 - 04:49 AM

Nostalgia IS what it used to be!

The room was packed (and I mean, packed!)with long-time residents and supporters. The layout had been altered to reflect the original way that the club was set up, with the residents on the stage.
Lou Killen, Alistair Anderson, Colin Ross, Johnny Handle, Ray Fisher, Christine Hendry and Tom Gilfellon formed the back bone of the evening's entertainment, mixing sets of classic Northumbrian tunes with solo contributions or duos etc. Apart from Colin & Johnny all did spots - it was fantastic to see Ray able to sing again & in great form, even if, I fear, at some personal cost.

As nearly all the audience knew nearly all the spots, choruses were splendid, and the audience itself contained more local artistes than any decent club could book in a year.

The interval was followed by the presentation of 3 well-deserved gold EFDSS badges - to Ray Fisher, Colin Ross, and Lou Killen - with citations read by Sheila Miller, Julia Say & Derek Schofield respectively. Basdges were presented by the chairman, Mike Norris. Several EFDSS personnel came up for the event, and the whole evening was recorded by the expert Doc Rowe, who is making DVD or CD copies for those who signed up for them. Definitely one for the archives.

The second half contained spots from the "young 'uns" - people who joined the club in the 70s - Benny Graham, Jim Hall, and Pete Wood before reverting to the residents. Lou Killen did a duo with Mike Waterson. Christine Hendry sang "Now Westlin Winds". Ray sang one of Matt Armour's songs about the passing generations - one of her best, I think.

The evening finished far too soon with a massed rendition of the High Level Hornpipe set - which, as it has evolved over the years, got a teeny-weeny bit confused in places. It didn't matter in the slightest - it was an evening to remember, from musicians who are all legends, doing what they do so well, enjoying themselves and playing music for friends and audience.

Were any other 'Catters there?

Paws