DJs Past and Present is a group of like minded music fans, all DJs with a passion for Northern Soul and Motown, who regularly raise money for local charities in Congleton. At their most recent event, they raised funds for the NSPCC.
Northern Soul remains popular across the UK, especially in Cheshire and north Staffordshire. Towns including Stoke, Crewe and Congleton have long standing links to the genre, with Congleton Town Hall hosting Northern Soul events since the mid 1970s.
The group usually stages up to four events each year, alongside Beartown Soul Promotions, which holds two winter events and two in February/March. Only the pandemic slowed this tradition.
The charitable focus began decades ago when some of the DJs’ wives were diagnosed with Parkinson’s and cancer. Since then, both groups have supported a wide range of causes, choosing different charities each year.
This year DJs Past and Present again donated all proceeds, after covering hall and security costs, to the local branch of the NSPCC. The event took place in Congleton Town Hall on Saturday 18th October.
Organisers thanked all the DJs who performed voluntarily, including Phil Ankers and Geoff Mac from Stoke, Ozz Osborne, Alexis Vanlee, and local DJ Richard Wharfe.
The popular 50/50 raffle was won by Michael T. Davis, who took home £157.50. His winning ticket was drawn by an NSPCC North West representative.
Thanks were also extended to Mark Bailey of Marks Events for bar provision, Mark Worthington (Town Hall manager) for seating and stage layout, Gary Thomas of GT Security for door security, Chris Booth Sound and Vision, and Congleton Town Council for its financial support. Yvonne Wharfe and Helga Lacey from the NSPCC managed ticket and raffle sales on the night.
The event was well attended, with everyone enjoying themselves, and a total of £1,551.97 was raised. DJs Past and Present later handed over the proceeds to Mrs Lacey, president of the NSPCC Congleton branch.
