By Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
Do you remember great nights out at Follies in Southport?
The legendary nightclub was situated on the Promenade, next to Southport Pier; on part of the site where Silcock’s Funland is situated today.
Local business owner Colin Parry is organising a special Follies Reunion, which will take place at The Vincent Hotel on Lord Street in Southport town centre on Saturday 16th November 2024.
Guests at this special evening will be able to enjoy an 80s theme – of course – with some of the greatest hits of the day, plus food and drink.
You can book your tickets or find out more by calling: 01704883800 or email: [email protected]
The evening will be a great chance to catch up with old friends and reminisce about good times in our town, when people going for a night out were spoiled for choice with the likes of Follies, The Kingsway, Palm Court, and many more.
It was in the days before mobile phones; cheap drinks; when places were busy early doors; and when couples met on the dancefloor and enjoyed the last song of the night and not on Tinder.
It definitely worked for Colin. He met his wife in Follies and has been happily married ever since.
The reunion marks 40 years since Follies closed its doors for the final time, on 17th November, 1984.
The reunion will be an unmissable opportunity to relive those heady days.
Colin said: “I am so excited to be seeing everyone at the reunion. It’s going to be fantastic seeing them all. We’d love as many people as possible to come along and join us.
“We all had such great times at Follies. It was a brilliant place. I was in there all the time!
Follies in Southport in November 1979. Photo by Silcock Leisure Group
“I am still in touch with about 20 people who used to go there for nights out. I can’t believe it was around 40 years ago!
“Follies was a really big nightclub. The access into it was from the bridge side; not the bridge we have now, but the old Victorian bridge that used to be there before it was knocked down.
“It was huge. It was such a great place, with so many good memories.
“They had a certain track they would play when they opened.
“The floor was made up of coloured squares which lit up, like they did in the Saturday Night Fever movie. There was lots of dry ice, and a real atmosphere.
“If we were out in town, we always seemed to end up in Follies.
“The community of people we had in there was amazing.
“They used to organise so many different events, lots of different themed nights, party nights, and evenings where you could win loads of prizes.
“I remember they used to do Wrangler nights, where people could win pairs of Wrangler jeans for doing something daft.
“I remember when they held a Disco Dancing Championship in Follies. They came in and did a bit of a show.
The Golden Goose, Follies and Dixieland Showbar. A photo from 1983. Photo by Silcock Leisure Group
“It was always full! Despite there being so many people in there, there was very rarely any trouble. Mind you, we had really good bouncers back then!
“Southport was always a very safe place. You could walk home at the end of the night, no problem.
“This month marks 40 years since Follies closed, on 17th November, 1984. It was such a shame when the doors closed for the last time.
“It’s a shame we can’t keep places like that forever.
“Southport had some superb nightclubs in the 1980s. We had places like Follies, The Kingsway, The Dandy Club, The West End, Toad Hall, Lombards and Tiffany’s.
“Follies was called Dixieland before it became Follies. I never went, but heard lots of good things about it.
“We could go out somewhere different every night of the week. We had some great clubs.
The Follies Reunion takes place at The Vincent Hotel on Lord Street in Southport town centre on Saturday 16th November 2024.
“The Sundowner at the Kingsway was a great place. Roy Adams owned it back then. Many years later, he came into the garage I own, to have his car repaired. He came back with a signed copy of his book, about his times running clubs in Southport and Liverpool. It’s a superb read.
“Back in the 80s the fashions changed quickly. People were very confident.
“Everyone was really smart when they went out. You had to be, the bouncers used to check what you were wearing. They could be very strict.
“You always had to wear shoes. There were no jeans allowed. You couldn’t go into a club with trainers on.”
There should be a decent crowd and a lively atmosphere when everyone meets up at The Vincent Hotel.
Colin said: “There has been lots of interest since we started planning our reunion. Everyone is really excited about coming.
“We are really keen to reach out and contact as many people as we can. We need people to spread the word. We don’t want anyone to miss out!
“We have sadly lost some of the old group over the years and we have not been able to find some of the others so if anyone can help to let people know we’d be very grateful.
“I am trying to organise this for the community in Southport.
“One of the old DJs from those days, Tim, sadly died, but his wife is coming to the reunion. She is a wonderful person.
“There were times in the 80s when I felt I was going out in Follies pretty much every night. We all had the best times there.
“Times have changed. People now don’t seem to go out until 11pm. We used to go out together early, and have a great time.
“Originally I was just doing this night as a get together for people I know, but then it grew from there as we got more interest.
“I felt if we opened it up then everyone could go.
“We will be playing all the hits from the era. I have met with the DJ who will be here on the night to talk over the playlist. There’ll be a few songs in there that people recognise.
“I have been trying to get hold of one of the old DJs, Russell Harris, to come. He was a great DJ! I have great memories of dancing along to his music.
“I have been speaking with Serena Silcock-Prince from Silcock’s Funland. She has been really supportive.
“She has kindly lent us one of the original mirrors from Follies.
“Her Dad, Herbert, is going to come to the do, we’re looking forward to seeing him.
“Andi and Jolene from The Vincent have given me loads of help too.”
Colin owes one particularly huge debt to Follies – it was where he met the love of his life.
Colin said: “I met my wife, Wendy, in Follies! We met there in 1979, and have now been together for 45 years.
“We married in 1984 and celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary this year.
“I’m 63 now. I was 18 when I started going out in Follies. It’s in my blood. I have lots of great friends from those days and lots of unforgettable memories, and I can’t wait to see them all.
“It is going to be a really good night.”
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: [email protected]
