Southport Weekender, November 2014 - Part 3
Report by Marcus Croman & photographs by Patrick Trollope.

AS you will have read in the last 2 editions, the Southport Weekender took place over 17 October to 26 October 2014, for the last time, at Southport's Pontins, in Ainsdale. We had the honour of attending this historic event again, and I hope, the reason I say honour will become clear as you read the report. If you missed it at Pontins, it is still running, but sadly this amazing event has now moved away from its birth place to Butlins Minehead Resort, in Somerset. So for information about the next Southport Weekender, that will take place in May 2015, go to the official Southport Weekender website, but remember it is now in Somerset, and not in Merseyside. I think this is a huge shame, but after talking to people, I can understand why that is the case. Now this event has become an ambassador for Southport as it spreads its wings and grows. If you have not already seen ready seen the rest of our coverage, you can do so by clicking on these 2 links:- 1st Report / Part 1 of photos and Part 2 of photos.

Back to the Southport Weekender 51... Being a self confessed music lover, I was looking forward to the Southport weekender, a chance to listen to different types of Soul music. I was quite shocked to find that I knew so little about this whole genre of music and although I didn't expect to know any of the DJ's I did expect to recognise the artists especially ones that have been around since the 1970's and have been in the charts. I had also never realised that there was such a large following of Soul, Garage and Hip Hop in this country! I had thought that it had all died out in the 1990's as its hay day was in the early 90's when I was at Uni. I might not have liked the music at first, but in the end I found myself enjoying the atmosphere. This was because everyone I met was so friendly and there was no aggression. I was very impressed by the security company whose guards helped maintain such a friendly and inviting atmosphere by being polite and courteous and who were willing to have a laugh with the customers even when checking pockets or handbags. I witnessed one customer giving a security guard a hug whilst getting frisked, with the guard returning the hug much to everyone watching's delight. Inside the event, people were dancing and having fun, socialising with others meeting up with old friends as well as making new friends. I also made some new friends and talked to several people who had been attending the Southport Weekender for over 20 years. Throughout the event I was surprised to see such a variety of ages, from 18 year olds to people in their late 70's, at least. It was also interesting to see both young and old, enjoying themselves and having fun, side by side. All ages being happy and friendly and behaving with politeness to one another. For me, it made it a pleasure to be present at such an event. I observed very little bad behaviour, and next to none of them seemed to be drunk, unlike what tends to be common place in most City Centres and other music events. People were drinking and having fun responsibly. They all seemed to pace themselves for the long weekend party as the Friday night started at 9pm and went on until 6am. The Saturday started at lunch time till 5 and then again at 9pm to 6am, with the Sunday starting at lunch time, but with an after party going on until 2am! I was also very impressed with the change over’s between the artists and the DJ's. They were seamless and highly professional, as was the organisation of the event. So although I hated most of the music at first, except on occasions when more soulful/R&B style music was played, that changed as the event went on and I enjoyed the likes of Angela Johnson performing live. I would go again because of the fact that it was full of such lovely, warm, happy people who were there to enjoy themselves, plus some of the fancy dress costumes were absolutely fantastic. And I might have to rethink my music now, as well…

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