Gig guide from this week in 1981!

so it wasn't all big name indie bands playing the Metronome every night as I've been led to believe... here's a fascinating republication of gig listings from 1981, from the good people at www.kentgigs.com. Don't forget my Folkestone gig guide though.

We showed in our mailout on Tuesday that we have been supplying the press and music fans with listings for 25 years. It has raised a little interest so we have produced below the gig guide for this week, 25 years ago. Might bring back some memories for some and a chance to air some idle thoughts whilst typing.

Our first Gig Guide actually hit the press on 25th April 1981 in one Folkestone newspaper along with a write up for a band and a photo which was the deal we obtained. This newspaper was the only one who had a gig guide with more than just a couple of lines of information. If hadn't been for the national music press of the time i.e. NME, Sounds and Melody Maker we could have been the inventors of the Gig Guide. We also flyposted throughout the local area in the once many music shops, corner shops and record stores.

There were no computers, email or internet, affordable photocopying or home printers, just handwriting and relying on the local friendly printer who created our masterpieces by a screenprinting process. The newspapers were created by hand-set lead type in wooden blocks. When you went to the local press it was like a factory with clattering typewriters, smoke from the molten lead and guys with dirty hands.

GIG GUIDE A WEEKLY GUIDE TO SOUTH KENT MUSIC VENUES published in 1981

WEDNESDAY 4th NOVEMBER 1981

SPRING FIELD HOTEL (Folkestone) - JUNCTION CITY BLUES BAND

LISMORE HOTEL (Folkestone) - CARLOS & HIS FLAMENCO GUITAR

SOUNDHOUSE (Hawkinge) - STEVES STAG NIGHT - Strippers and Comedians

THE DOVER STAGE (Dover) - Country & Western Night with THE RUSTLERS

RED LION INN (St Margarets) - BREAKAWAYS

THE CASTLE (Ashford) ­TBC


THURSDAY 5th NOVEMBER 1981

SPRINGFIELD HOTEL (Folkestone) - RONDO

SPITFIRE LEISUREDROME (Hawkinge) - BONFIRE PARTY - B.B.Q. and DISCO

LOUIS ARMSTRONG (Dover) - INVICTA JAZZ BAND

THE ASH TREE (Gillingham) - BREAKAWAYS

FRIDAY 6th NOVEMBER 1981

SPRINGFIELD HOTEL (Folkestone) - THE PETE STACEY JAZZ BAND and FRENDS

ROYAL NORFOLK HOTEL (Sandgate) - DENIGH

LISMORE HOTEL (Folkestone) - SILHOUETI'E DISCO

SOUNDHOUSE (Hawkinge) - DISCO 8 - 1.00 am

NEPTUNE MOTEL (Dymchurch) - BREAKAWAYS and FIFTH QUARTER DISCO

LOUIS ARMSTRONG (Dover) - ENRY

RED LION INN (St Margarets) - CITY BLUES BAND

CANTERBURY TECHNICAL COLLEGE (Canterbury) - THIN MEN + SUPPORT

THE CASTLE (Ashford) - J.C.B.



SATURDAY 7th ,NOVEMBER 1981

ROYAL NORFOLK HOTEL (Sandgate) - ENGLISH ROGUES

SOUNDHOUSE (Hawkinge) - DISCO 8 - 1.00 am

SPITFIRE LEISUREDROME (Hawkinge) - DISCO with T.R. SOUNDS

NEPTUNE MOTEL (Dymchurch) - FIFTH QUARTER DISCO

LOUIS ARMSTBONG (Dover) - SEVEN ACES JAZZ BAND - Trad. Jazz
RED LION INN (St Margarets) - ENRY

HIGH & DRY (Waldershare) - LIVE MUSIC - Country & Western­ - Guest Artiste

ASHFORD BREAKERS KEMPTON MANOR (Hothfield) - BREAKAWAYS

THE CASTLE (Ashford) - SANDY BEACH & THE DECKCHAIRS

SUNDAY 8th NOVEMBER 1981

Lunchtime - SPRINGFIELD HOTEL (Folkestone) - TRANSATLANTIC BLUES BAND
Evening - SPRINGFIELD HOTEL (Folkestone) - FOLK CLUB - Everyone Welcome

THE GOLDEN ARROW ( Cheri ton) - STAIRES

LISMORE HOTEL (Folkestone) - CARLOS AND HIS FLAMENCO GUITAR

BYBROOK TAVERN (Ashford) THE BYBROOK TAVERNERS - Trad. Jazz

THE COLT (Ashford) - HIS & HERS - Country Duo

MONDAY 9th NOVEMBER 1981
SPRINGFIELD HOTEL (Folkestone) - VERNON WOODWARD

TUESDAY 10th NOVEMBER 1981

THE HIGH AND DRY (Waldershare) - KEEN COUNTRY

2006 :: Comment / reply

SOS Folkestone

On a technical level, I don't like www.sosfolkestone.info but that could be just me being a nerd. They do have a little forum there with a lot more activity than this one, and some more info on Roger Dehaan's masterplan for Folkestone, including some pictures. They include this report on his recent presentation:

Over the last week (20th March onwards) Roger De Haan has been presenting his seafront plans to various groups before it goes public on April 1st (open for public consultation).
On Tuesday 21st March, so many people turned up, that two presentations had to be held!
SOS members, Julie Balliu & Simon Everett were lucky enough to be in one of these presentations and have prepared short notes for you to see/read and make your own judgements.

Brief Review:
As you are aware, Roger De Haan owns the Harbour, and has great plans for this area, but he did mention that without the land owned by Jimmy Godden incorporated into the project, the whole thing would not flow as it should do. The thought is that JG will sell the land; if he doesnt it could be met with a compulsory purchase - but only if the community/people of Folkestone want this to happen.

De Haan's legal advisors have been writing to Shepway District Council for a long period of time regarding this issue, with emphasis on the fact of errors in the process/planning application regarding JG land. The Trent plans have not received planning consent as yet, as they are unable to meet the conditions of the Planning Committee of SDC.
As we speak, Trent are currently submitting new plans to the SDC.

It has been found that, under new House of Lords decisions, SDC can change their mind on the Trent/JG planning issue, and they cannot be sued if they do so.

De Haan clearly stated that the whole seafront project is for the people of Folkestone, for its regeneration and its future. He would not be involved in such a thing, if he didnt think the people wanted it. Therefore, if you do like the proposed plans, you must speak out and let your councillor/SDC know of this. Your thoughts and opinions matter.

Please review De Haans aims and objectives, as well as some rather blurred (!) photographs of his proposed plans, which will probably take up to six years to complete.

2006 :: Comment / reply