Conference marvin::uk_music

Welcome to the North !

You're probably making the right move as Manchester is the next most prosperous
city after London.

Can't really speak for Warrington centre itself (I live in Bolton) even though I 
work at Kelvin Close. I've never ventured that far for fear of getting lost on 
the roundabouts (they all look the same because the land is so flat).

Manchester is about 25 mins drive away and has a good selection of record shops
both for new and old records. 

Hope I don't offend anyone, but when I was recently looking for a house I 
deliberately avoided Warrington area itself. The only beauty of working in 
Warrington, I suppose, is that it is easily reached on the motorway from all
parts of the North West.
 

    Welcome..
    
    I actually live in Greater Manchester, but sometimes go out to
    Warrington at the weekends. The place to be is Manchester, the best
    night clubs, the best music, the best people. There is a bus that runs
    from Woolston to Manchester (no. 10) it takes about 1h 10mins, don't
    know about a bus to the NLC but it isn't far from the Woolston housing
    estates.
    As for the night life in Warrington, there isn't much; Mr Smiths is OK
    and theres a few good pubs but thats it.
    Let us know if you ever come over to Kelvin Close (thats where me and
    Pete Moore are) and we could mabie meet up!
    Nice to have you up here, enjoy your stay..
    
    ..Craig
    

    Definately a move for the better! After living in sunny Basingstoke
    for a year it's nice to be back where they understand what I say.
    
    I actually live in Warrington, in rented accommodation at the
    moment, but I'm in the process of looking for a house! Prices start
    at around 30K for a terraced house/one-bed-flat, which is slightly
    cheaper than Hampshire! 
    
    Parr Hall seems to be the only venue actually in Warrington,  Martin
    Stevenson and the Daintees are playing there in the near future.
    
    Mr Smiths speaks for itself, I think something like 90% of the
    Warrington Police is supposed to be deployed out there on a Saturday
    night. Almost as bad as a Bolton Wanderers Football Match :-)
    
    Manchester is easily accessible by train as well- 20 mins on the
    express. The International I and II have lots of bands on and the
    Apollo, plus loads of clubs. The university has bands on most weekends 
    during term time. 
    
    Shopping wise Afflecks Palace is worth a visit - lots of stalls with
    records posters etc
    
    Well, what more can I say, perhaps
    
    'Welcome to Whippetland'
    
    Samantha.
          

    RE.1
    
    I'm actually a northerner, from Doncaster, South Yorkshire.  I've had
    enough of Boringstoke to last me a lifetime.  No, really there are some
    things I like about Basingstoke and the sout.  But I prefer the north.
    
    I spent a weekend in Warrington when I had the interview.  I went to
    Liverpool, St Helens and halfway to Manchester (Tesco's) and had a
    great time.
    
    I've been down here for nearly 2 years now, after 6 months on the dole
    up there.  At first the money they pay you down here was all I needed,
    but everytime I go back up north I realise what I'm missing.  Now I
    have a great opportunity : Promotion, Relocation package etc.  I can't
    go wrong!
    
    Keep it coming.
    
    
    matty

    
    
    Matty,
    
    
    I grew up ( from 9yrs through to 23yrs ) in the Warrington area & moved
    to Newbury last year to start Working for the VANS group. However I
    still maintain an active link to my friends back in the 'homeland', I
    reckon I still qualify as experienced regards the area & as such will
    try to give my opinion of whats good & whats not....& where to
    find/avoid it !!
    
    Incidentally, I have a flat in the Warrington area that I use when I
    go back & rented it out for a while as a fully furnished unit, I got
    55.00 a week for it inclusive of bills, it is the top floor of a new
    (ish) building comprising hallway, bedroom, lounge, bathroom, kitchen
    large garden & weeds. I didn't really know what to charge so I put an
    ad' in the local paper (Warrington Guardian) at 75.00 a week & got no
    replies, so I tuned it to 55.00 & got a result. Hope this serves as
    some kind of guideline.
    
    
    Musically, there's not too much happening, however, if you're a fan of
    rock music you are in luck as there is a superb (dive!) rock club there
    within a pub/bar/restuarant complex called the RED LION. Its typically
    sleezo, but thats in keeping with a good rock club (in my opinion!).
    Friday & Saturday nights are usually Live music nights & the setup is
    quite good, you're not too far from the band, but you're far enough
    away to avoid the singer nicking you're cigarette as you're smoking it!
    
    Directly across the road (Brideg St.) from there is a pub called THE
    FEATHERS which is the usual starting point for a night out culminating
    in a few large ones in the Lion. This place has a pool table in the
    back room & its a good place to rub shoulders with people before going
    into a non-conversation environment (ie decibels = ears bleed) like
    the Lion.
    
    Monday nights there is usually a 'turn' in a pub on the outskirts of
    the town called the SANKEY ARMS, however this could be a warbler
    singing MOON RIVER..etc or a really good acoustic guitar set, I've had
    superb nights there & have watched jugglers cock up & have to replace
    pints of beer...so ya takes yer chance with that one!
    
    The Parr Hall is the most central venue capable of housing an act
    likely to attract a few people & they publicise quite well in the local
    press.
    
    Mr Smith's .... well then, I've been once...that was enough. IN MY
    OPINION it is a very scary place. There have been stabbings outside (
    I've read in the papers) there have been attempts to close it by the
    authorities...this resulted in a clean up campaign by the owners..I
    could go on but don't think I have to. The music there is standard
    disco stuff & that side if things is really well done, ie mock space
    shifts fly in (lowered from the ceiling) & dancers get out & do their
    thing...(whilst I was there it got stuck & three blokes were stuck in
    this little bubble for over 30 minutes...best bit if the evening). They
    open on TUES, THURS, FRI & SAT evenings & I remember it being roughly a
    fiver to get in.
    
    Other discoey type places that have a touch more class than this are
    OLIVERS, RUMOURS & CHAPLINS all worth a visit, if that's your musical 
    wont.
    
    Alternative music can be found in a club called the CARLTON CLUB (which
    has an extended bar licence each Friday, Saturday & Sunday evening), I
    quite like this place, its all nooks & crannies, not your usual 'done
    up' type of place...ideal for the music & the atmosphere is great..as
    you've guessed I recommend it. However you have to either be a member
    to get in or be signed in by one.
    
    
    
    
    
    Pubs I can recommend are ....
    
    The FEATHERS ( as mentioned )
    The BARLEY MOW  ( THE pub in the town centre )
    The TIME SQUARE
    The DOG & DART
    The MULBERRY TREE
    
    
    
    
      
    ...... thats not it, but I've got to earn a living..
    
    
    Hope this helps....
    
    
    
    Adam.

Matty,

    re. music shops:

    There is only one decent music shop in Warrington (that I've found), and
that is Dawsons. It's in the town centre, so it's easy to get to at lunchtime
(assuming someone who you can get a lift with is going into town :-)

Manchester has *lots* of music shops (A1, Streetwise etc.), and there are some
good ones in places that you might not expect (e.g. Sounds Great in Heald 
Green, Dougies in Northwich). If you want any more details just get in touch 
when you're up here.

Cheers,

    Derek.

I've been prying into your Secret Diary !!

Sounds as though you spend every available penny on records. 

How on earth are you getting your record collection up here ?

Peter

    Good luck moving back up north, Matty.
    In about a year and a half, (when my college course finishes) I
    will be moving to the Manchester/Warrington area too! 
    I can't wait!!!
    
    James (a born and bred southerner who hates the south).

RE    < Note 610.10 by SHAPES::BROWNM "Feed the people" >
                                   -< Why? >-
>    James,
    
>    Why do you hate the South?

    
  
    Things I dislike about the south:-
    
    I hate the south because of the attitude of the people (in general).
    I hate the macho-pighead males who try to get something for nothing
    from me; the selfish car drivers who try to knock me off my bike;
    the high prices for everything; Reading; Basingstoke; southern accents;
    walking around London streets at night and feeling very vunerable
    to attack.
    
    These are not very good examples of my 'anti-south' feelings...on
    the spur of the moment thoughts.
    
    Things I like about the north:-
    
    Northern Soul!; Northern Accents; Stoke - on - Trent; Manchester;
    Worcester; Cheaper Fish and chips; fish without the skin on it!;
    Cans of drink being called 'Pop'; Northern Girls; my friends in
    the north; Allnighters; lots of open space with trees on it; walking
    around the streets of northern towns and feeling relatively safe.
    

    You will probably understand what I am talking about as there are
    things you are bound to miss from the north.

    Re your bit on politics...Not sure what this has to do with what
    I said originally. 
    
    J/    

    That's quite good.  I like that!
    
    You missed out the mushy peas and `Heyup' instead of `Orwight'.
    
    
    matty eck thump!

    
    
     The first time I went into a southern chip shop, I asked for
     STEAK & KIDNEY PUDDING, CHIPS, PEA'S & GRAVY......I got the
     chips !!
    
    
     The thing I have found hardest to adjust to (and still haven't fully)
     is the general pace of everyday life, in my experience southern 
     people tend to approach things with much more urgency naturally, not
     that the Northern approach is particularly laid back, just more
     sedate.
    
    
     Thats another spur of the moment observation....
    
    
     Adam.

>>The first time I went into a southern chip shop, I asked for
>>     STEAK & KIDNEY PUDDING, CHIPS, PEA'S & GRAVY......I got the
>>     chips !!

count yourself lucky...

when I asked for a pasty muffin I got a dirty look

...art

    It's differences like that, that you take for granted are normal, until
    you move.  I really got laughed at when I walked to work wearing a flat
    cap, it was chucking it down!
    
    It'll be good to get back up there.
    
    
    matty

    
    
    
    I reckon you'll still get the pith taken if you turn up to work 
    in the North in a flat cap...c'mon times change y'know, we'll 
    have clog comments next... :-)
    
    
    re .14
    
    Pasty muffin.......when I read that I laughed aloud & got some stares
    here in the office....good one!
    
    
    Adam.

I didn't think that anyone here would know what a pasty muffin was!!!

...art

    When I go to Manchester next month, and bearing in mind that I have
    a Norf London sort of accent, am I likely to get strange looks/attacked
    on the street etc, or would it be better if I kept my mouth shut...?
    
    Bob

    Don't cause any hassle and you'll get on fine.  Some people might use
    your accent as an excuse for a fight, but you get that sort of thing
    anywhere.  People will relate to you being a Londoner, 'cause
    everyone's been to London.
    
    No worries.
    
    
    matty

    No, I'll be safe in me Arsenal scarf, I'll pretend I'm a United
    fan.
    
    Seriously, down here in the South, the usual reaction to people
    with any accent other than Southern seems to be to take the p, rather
    than get nasty. I still don't like it though.
    
    Bob

	You'll be amazed at the price of the beer too !! Last time I was
	in Stockport a pint of Holts was 70p and Hydes & Robbies wasn't
	much dearer. Problem is its all a bit weak compared to the likes
	of Directors and Royal Oak, although Robinsons do Old Tom which
	is lovely ! Yum Scrum !
	
	P1

    It's not weaker!  It's just the same, but cheaper.  Magnet is the
    equivalent of Directors.  John Smiths (Magnet) is owned by Courage
    anyway.
    
    
    matty

    Hi you lot,
    
    I'm coming up for a couple of days on March 15th and 16th. (Thurs/Fri). 
    I might stay the weekend too.  I'm helping out on the PI and taking
    over the reigns (sp) of the person that I'm replacing.  Anyone else
    doing the PI?  Wanna go shopping in Manchester or something on the
    Saturday?
    
    
    matty

3.141592653589793238462643383279502 ....

    Anyone going to the Mandela concert?  Could anyone gimme a lift there
    and back?  It's Easter Monday, April 16th.  If anyone wants to make a
    trip of it, I have somewhere we could stay, say the night before.  I
    have an uncle in Harlow Essex, and a Dad in Basingstoke.
    
    
    matty

    Anyone going to the John Lennon memorial concert?  INXS, Cyndi Lauper,
    Terence Trent D`Arby anyone?
    
    matty

    I see you didn't mention Kylie this time, Matty!! It's an odd line-up,
    isn't it?
    
    Bob

    I think I'll save going to the toilet until Kylie comes on.  Although
    the press does say that she's actually good live.
    
    
    matty

    LIVE ???!!!!!
    
    
    

    The only thing live at a Kylie Concert is the lead to the tape machine

    
    re -1 
    
    Hahahahahaha!!!!
              
    I like 8^)

    LEAVING DRINKS
    --------------
    
    Reading (the Horn Probably - any suggestions welcome) 7.30 tommorrow,
    ie. Thursday.  I'll probably be going straight from work, so come early
    if you like.  I picked the Horn 'cause it's the only pub I know the
    name of in Reading.
    
    The Friday in Basingstoke (How about a world tour?).  The Bass House
    7.30. and maybe onto either Martines or the Snooker Centre (memories of
    being arrested).
    
    Bring who you like, when you like, for as long as you like.  I mailed
    some people because I know they live locally, so I didn't mean to miss
    anyone out.
    
    
    matty

    
    Well, I'm doing the trendy thing and moving to Manchester.  I don't
    know when yet but soon after Christmas I believe.  So, has anyone got
    any tips etc. to help me survive in the wicked North (apart from
    bringing plenty of heavy coats ;-)
    
    Also I'll be looking for accomodation as relocation isn't included in
    the package.  Anybody got any contacts?  Looking for house share/one
    bedroom flat, partly furnished if poss.
    
    Paul

    I've got a friend in Didsbury (South Manchester) who lives in a
    smallish rented house, he's leaving it just after Christmas. I'll make
    enquiries if you want.
    
    It's in a prime location, about ten minutes walk from Factory Records
    HQ.
    
    Remember, though, Paul - by the time you move there, early next year,
    Manchester will be last year's thing!
    
    Bob

    >Remember, though, Paul - by the time you move there, early next year,
    >Manchester will be last year's thing!
    
    That's what I'm hoping Bob.  Did you know applications for entry into
    Manchester Uni went up by 75% this year?
    
    I'm reckon that the next place to hit will be Reading or Oxford or
    Bristol.  Anywhere down here really.
    
    Paul      

10 minutes from Factory records! I'm in...lemme see about moving! Ed

    Not heard of Factory!!!!  Probably called Factory Benelux on the
    continent.  It is the label that has New Order, Joy Division, and a
    host of other goodies.
    
    Mikef

    We are talking Anthony H. "So It Goes/Godfather of Punk" Wilson here; he 
    is the label's founder.
    
    bob

    Paul, don't forget to fetch some wellies, a Barbour and a 50" fishing
    brolly.  Oh, and a flat cap if you want to fit in.  And for the sunny
    days (16~C can be considered a scorcher) you'll need a `No I don't want
    to buy any more drugs - thank you!' t-shirt.  They won't leave you
    alone otherwise.  And some good sturdy training shoes to groove in. 
    And an autograph book, make that two!
    
    ;-) ;-)
    
    matty