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The Pleasure, The Privilege Was Mine - Grand Opening of New Display Panels at Salford Lads Club

THE PLEASURE, THE PRIVILEGE WAS MINE

Grand Opening of New Display Panels at Salford Lads Club

I was thrilled and delighted to be asked by Leslie Holmes, the Project Manager at Salford Lads Club, to officially open the new panels installed in its Smiths Room on 3rd February 2018. These have been put in place to enable even more photos of visitors from across the globe posing outside the iconic building under the world famous sign to be added to the hundreds already on display. The club held a special party to mark this momentous occasion, and as well as myself performing the aforementioned ceremonial duty, an act by the name of Ukelele Bobby entertained the audience in attendance by playing a select few Smiths and Morrissey tracks.

Leslie handing over to me for my speech.  Talk about nervous!

My speech in full: "Firstly, I'd like to thank Leslie for bestowing this great honour upon me today.  I was thrilled to be asked, the pleasure and the privilege is definitely all mine! When, as a relatively fledgling fan of all things Smiths and Morrissey, I first laid eyes on the hallowed doors of the club as a 17 year old child from Huddersfield in 1990, I certainly never imagined this!

I'd also like to acknowledge the fantastic work that Leslie and his team of brilliant volunteers undertake at the club to welcome its many visitors, as well as the invaluable time spent nurturing the young people in particular in the local community.

Finally, I must mention the much missed Mr Craig Gill, whose passion and energy brought countless people from across the globe to the club's doors.  His wisdome of the music scene of Manchester, Salford and extended areas (shout out to Oldham!), his warmth, generosity and compassion will never be forgotten.


So then, I am delighted to declare these here fabulous new panels open!"

Me cutting the ribbon!

The Crowd in the Smiths Room at SLC checking out Ukelele Bobby

I should give a proper big up to the great Ukelele Bobby at this stage, as he did a fantastic job entertaining everyone who came down.  Bobby played Spent The Day In Bed by Morrissey, Frankly, Mr Shankly by The Smiths (with a line saved especially for participation by the audience!), Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want by The Smiths, Everyday Is Like Sunday by Morrissey and an impressive demo of How Soon Is Now? by The Smiths.  Bobby's rendition of EILS was absolutely stunning, and I must admit to getting a bit tearful and emotional as I stood looking at all of the photos surrounding me, for it was this song that started me on my wondrous journey back in Nineteen Eighty Hate and changed my life forevermore. It was at this point that I espied pictures of Craig Gill and the recently departed Mark Edward Smith in the room which made me incredibly sad and happy at the same time.

Me and a very dapper Mr Jason Edward Cooke esquire, just before I went in to the Smiths Room to do my thing!

My husband Jay kindly recorded my speech, so I've added the video to my YouTube channel.  The link is:


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