Club Update

Where have all the years gone?. It's fifteen years since we started "Pardners"

Lots of things have changed. There are not the four piece bands around that there used to be, clubs are closing, all around, venues are being lost as developers move in. Enough of that.

The club has changed, lots of new faces but always there are our stalwarts. They're the ones that turn up every week whatever the band or act and like their regular seats. (that happens in all clubs)

Sue and I look forward to Wednesday night. It is part of our lives; Sue with the Door and Raffles Tickets, me with booking the acts and comparing (and trying to sing with the acts Ha Ha)

Every year for the last six years we have run a November Charity night in aid of THe Essex Air Ambulance and I am pleased to say we have been able to make a donation each year in the region of £1,000. A good cause, a good night and an excellent raffle with so many prizes each year, donated by club members, that it can take half an hour to call out all the winning numbers.

Sue and I sit by the door taking the money and look around. There are lots of characters all with a story; from a blind lady with a wicked sense of humour, the "Team" that is always there to help and support, "Bones" who is often on the stage with the act with myself as the mike stand, the dancers, the tall man who dances with all the ladies and says I should be helping, his wife who is my guiding light where acts are concerned, the couples who sit all around the club and not forgetting the two old boys who come with their minder. We need them all.

Thanks to all the people behind the scenes. Thanks to all the great acts on stage, all friends of the Club and from all over the country. Each year we try to introduce several new acts which we feel is very important to maintain a freshness in the club and move forward.

The venue was updated about a year ago and is now very intimate and has a good atmosphere.

Over the years the Club has gone from strength to strength and we look forward with acts already booked for the whole of 2009.

This Club would not have survived over the past fifteen years without the support of its members, the acts and our mutual love of Country Music.

Thank you all

Colin & Sue Wilson

Pardners Country Music Club

September 2008

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