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 A night out with the lads!

 

For some time I've been asked to go on a night out by Carl, he of Carl Gresham fame well known broadcaster agent to the stars (retired) and BCB presenter.  The venue was Wetherspoons Morley Street, depending which entrance you go in. Carl had wanted me to meet up with friends John Pennington (Councillor Pennington), John, is not only a well known Councillor but an equally well known Bradford entrepreneur, having owned a number of  business's and venues in the Bradford area. Names such as The Midland Hotel, one of Bradford's premier hotels, The Mecca (renamed Pennington's), interestingly enough the Mecca, as it was originally known in the 60s was used for the dance hall scene in the film "Billy Liar", a little Bradford history there. Oh and I mustn't forget the Tramshed at Saltaire, now under new ownership as indeed all of the business's here mentioned are. John told me that he is in the process of opening a club near Keighley, by the name Octagon, gathering from what he said, it's an on going work in progress. Along with John was Geoffrey, a friend of the group to whom I spoke at some length, Geoffrey went on to tell me that he is a Leeds lad, coming from Headingley, which is on the Bradford side of Leeds, I didn't learn to much about him except that he worked at Leeds council,  he was very good company and had a number of anecdotes concerning his work to tell me, to long to go into here but had me in stitches at a number of the stories he told.

 

The reason I chose to go out this particular Sunday, was due to Dave Metcalf, Dave has had a book published called "Celebrity Gatecrasher" availiable from Waterstones Amazon etc, that's the plug Dave. And this week (Thursday 19th January) Carl is recording an interview for his programme "Carl Gresham and Friends" at BCB, (Bradford's local radio station) the subject being Dave's book, "Celebrity Gatecrasher" (two plugs now Dave), oh yes and I'm videoing it! Now who is this Bradford born man that warrants all this attention, well Dave Metcalf is I suppose a  massive 50s 60 music fan. Tell you what, take a peek at the video below, that'll give you a flavour of the man. I 'll get back to you!

 

 

 

 

 

Get the picture! His book, I'm not mentioning it again, is about Dave's life, meeting the stars from yesteryear, not just meeting them but spending time with them, and indeed looking after them. You see Dave used to work at Pennington's, previously John's old venue, and the book tells of his time there. I read the book and I could not believe how many big stars came to Bradford over the years, but do you know the one that really got me! It was the time Chuck Berry was appearing at Pennington's, and Chuck (Mr Berry to me) wanted a curry, what better place in all of the UK to be when it comes to wanting a curry, you can forget Birmingham or Leicester, Bradford's the place. And where did he go, well an old haunt of mine some years ago the "Sweet Centre" Lumb lane. loads of stories like that in the book, but I'm not going to tell any more as Dave would not be  pleased with me, because there would be no reason to buy the book, £9.99 do so, it's a good read! And Dave's a nice Bradford guy!

 

Normally if I go out for a pint on Sunday, I certainly don't take a camera, but this was different, as I don't know when I'll be out with them again, and it's nice to take a record of the evening, although they might not feel that in the cold light of sobriety on seeing the pictures. Who knows!  Below are just a few pictures  taken that evening!

 

 

John Pennington and Bradford's Mr "Celebrity Gatecrasher" himself  Dave Metcalf. I don't know what's the significance concerning the piling up of the glasses but I'm sure Wetherspoons were impressed.  Left to Right Geoffrey Christie,John Pennington, Dave Metcalf, and Carl Gresham. Aye! Bradford Lads out enjoying themselves! Left to Right BradfordEye (Martin O'Connell) Geoffrey Christie, Dave Metcalf, and Carl Gresham. Why are my glasses on my head? Picture taken by John Pennington who nearly broke his neck taking it.Thanks anyway John! You must know their names by now. This picture was taken to prove they could all sit still, smile, and at least fake, that they were having a good night out. Thanks for the invite guys,and you know what, we did have a good night out, well at least I did.!      BCB Thursday January 19th 2012, just 4 days after our meeting at Wetherspoons (see above) we have Dave Metcalf and his entourage, which consisted of Roger Askey (seen in the video), secretary of Mike Pender's Searchers Fan Club along with Bradford Cabaret sing Michaela Smith, a guest on Carl's show, aired on Bradford's local radio station, BCB 106.6 FM. Carl is recording his show "Carl Gresham and Friends", and not without some technical problems, ever the professional, he does bring it in during the time aloted, I must point out, all this is well documented in the Bradford Updates page! Two videos features, the first has Dave, talking about some of the stories from his book "Celebrity Gatecrasher" The second has Michaela Smith talking about her career as a cabaret singer. Of course it wouldn't be the full package without the usual suspects in the usual photographs, Carl and Dave pose for the end of show shots. So take a look and buy his book "CELEBRITY GATECRASHER" £9.99 Bank House.   Dave Metcalf with BCB 106.6 FM presenter Carl Gresham.   Dave and Carl , present Dave's book "Celebrity Gatecrasher" to the Bradford airwaves and beyond. Carl doing his book in the face routine, he knows it irritates me! Showbiz people, who'd have them!
Now that book! Celebrity Gatecrasher