Mardons Social Club of Midsomer Norton - The latest information and news from the social club.

Thank you to everyone for your continued support. As you will have heard, planning permission for the site has been passed and with it, the plans for the building which wil become our new home. We will remain in the current building until the new club is ready to move into.
Our Christmas and new year events, once again proved very popular, the kids party in particular was a huge success.
Weekly entertainment has started and coninuing with the trend started last year, we are hoping to introduce new bands to you, feedback last year was that whilst you enjoyed seeing some bands regularly, there was a need for more variety and fresh blood. We are pleased to say you will see some of these throughout the year, along with some oldies but goodies!
The club does need to grow and evolve and cannot be allowed to stagnate, so please come along and try bands - even if you've not heard of them before...you might be suprised!

Great music, catering for everyone at the club, Shazam and Straight Shooter
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Massive thanks to Truth And The Happy Endings, Tom (Johny's Day Out) and DJ Danno for providing us withe an awesome Christmas Party. The club was packed with people out for a festive fun extravaganza. The band put on quite a show with fancy dress and even 'snow'.

We are pleased to announce that tickets have sold out for Boxing Day's afternoon Disco. We still have tickets available for both Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, but please don't leave it too late to get yours. Many people were disappointed last year when they found they were unable to spend New Year with us and we have turned away many people who wanted Boxing Day tickets but left it too late this year. We cannot reserve tickets so please purchase them from the club bar asap.

A charity raffle in aid of the Oncology Unit at the Royal United Hospital, Bath, raised £580. The draw which took place at Mardons Social Club on Saturday, 3rd December had over forty prizes, which included a fabulous Mulberry handbag and a Chocoholics hamper.

Organiser, Penny Wilkinson, would like to thank Mulberry, Chocolate for Chocoholics and everyone who donated a prize, Mardons Social Club and staff who hosted the event and everyone who entered the draw.

The evening was very well attended and the entertainment by Bristol’s Handsome Joe Band was excellent. Once again, a very, very big thank you to everyone involved.

On Friday, 25th November, Paulton Concert Band performed a concert in aid of the Association of International Cancer Research. This was a very successful event, raising £470.20.

The concert contained a variety of music including songs from the show, ‘Westside Story’, two rousing marches, ‘Barnard Castle’ and ‘The Thunderer’, Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and many other popular pieces, too many to list here. Chairman, Rodney Wiliams, would like to thank everyone that supported the concert’s fundraising effort, all the shops in Radstock, Westfield, Midsomer Norton and Paulton who displayed posters and to those who attended and enjoyed the evening of music. Rodney would also like to thank the band, their Musical Director and Mardons Social Club for allowing the use of their premises free of charge.

A cheque was presented to Norman Barrett, Chief Executive, AICR, by Rodney at the Holy Trinity Church, Paulton on Saturday, 3rd December. Anyone interested in joining the band, please contact Rodney Williams on 01761 415558. You do not need to own an instrument, the band has plenty in storage.

NEW SATURDAY NIGHT BANDS PROVE TO BE EXTREMELY POPULAR

We were very pleased to be able to introduce several new bands to you recently and they have been really well received! We have responded to your requests for more variation and new groups for Saturday nights and 'The Covers', 'The Woods' and 'The Handsome Joe Band' have all delivered great nights, with requests from the regulars to re-book them. We have booked them all for future nights and due to their popularity 'The Handsome Joe Band' will be returning on December 3rd. Thank you for supporting new bands and for coming to see what they are like - we are glad to hear how much you liked them!

A school reunion is being held to gather former classmates who attended Somervale School, Midsomer Norton, between 1981 and 1986. The event will take place at Mardon's from 7.30pm on Saturday, August 13. For more information call Sue Ingram (nee Raines) on 07875 129512.

Its Quiz time again, book your team a table to guarantee a place - food will be provided for pre-booked teams. Entry is £2 per person and teams can have 4 – 6 players. The quiz will start at 8p.m. prompt, so be there for 7.30p.m. to get your table and answer sheets etc.
Book your team now, call your question master, Glyn Young on 01761 416797.

Following an incident at the club the police have discovered loose railings leading to No 10 Blackbird Close. The occupants have since moved. We would be grateful if anyone knows who lived there until recently and also where they are now - If you can help, please contact us by email or speak to a committee member - you can be assured the information will be treated in strictest confidence - thank you.

Due to everyone's weekend getaways and holidays, we are taking a short break from Saturday night entertainment in the 'summer' (don't panic, it's just a few weeks) - keep checking the entertainment listings and the Journal events section though, as we may well add in date at short notice!

Don't forget that we have a big Friday night with Parfanon coming up. They gave us an amazing show on the their last Saturday night appearance and the 22nd July is going to be very special. We are saying goodbye to our excellent bar manger, Mark, who will leave us to start a new life in Australia. Come along and have a bit of a farewell party for him - everyone welcome and free entry!

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Our membership year runs from July to June. This year membership has been set at £5 per person (unfortunately we are no longer permitted to offer free membership to former factory employees).

If you frequent the club, please either renew your membership or apply to join.

Application forms are available from the bar. Please complete them and hand them back along with your payment. When your membership has been processed, it will be left behind the bar for you to collect - it should take no longer than a week.

CARRY YOUR CARD - The membership card entitles you to discounted bar prices. If you do not show the card when asked by a member of bar staff, they are entitled to charge you full price - and have been encouraged to do so.

If you have paid to join as a member, it's in your interest to carry and show the card - others may not be members - we need to charge accordingly.

Linden Homes planning application includes a residential-led mixed use redevelopment, comprising of 176 homes, community facilities, offices, town centre link, formal green space and associated woks.

The planning application no is 11/01772/FUL and we urge you to go onto the website, at the link below or write a letter to BANES supporting this application.

The plans include a new facility for the Social Club and after Linden Homes have listened to and incorporated our comments we are please with the potential new building. Supporting this application and the social club's inclusion in it will help secure a future for this social club and its members.

••• Click here to view and comment on the planning application •••

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TOP QUALITY BANDS BRING IMPRESSIVE SOUNDS TO MARDONS SHOWCASE

One hell of a great night at Mardons - George Taylor is a revelation...with such a talent, he really should put more songs online for people to hear and play more gigs! - brilliant. Goodness, what an amazing sound - they are now confirmed as one of the best live bands we've ever had play - exceptional and there must be big things ahead of them. Grand Slam Hero...we can't believe two people can create a sound like that - unbelieveable!

WEDDING DAY CELEBRATIONS AT MARDONS

A HAPPY ENDING TO WEDDING DAY CELEBRATIONS

As you’re all probably aware we’re going to be getting together for a celebration like we haven’t done since 29th July 1981. Some of us will have only ever seen reminders of Charles and Diana’s wedding on your Nan’s dresser; So patriotic or not the chance to all get together and celebrate as a nation like this can possibly only happen once or twice in a life time.

On Friday 29th April 2011 Mardons Social club will be holding an indoor street party for all the family where everybody young and old can get together and whiteness the days events on the big screen. Being one of the largest venues of its kind in the area you will be able to party with many other people whilst knowing you can sit down comfortably and enjoy the celebration.

The party will continue through the day and into the evening starting with a BBQ outside in the Mediterranean style patio area to the sounds of Danno who will get you ready for one of Somerset’s most entertaining live covers bands Truth & the Happy Endings who never fail to create a fun filled atmosphere that will have you talking for months after with songs from the 60’s and 70’s through to today, you wont be able to keep your feet from tapping!!!

For those of you who have been itching for a reason to dress up there is optional fancy dress in the style of brides and grooms, the band will of course be wearing suitable wedding attire and those who have made the most effort stand a chance of winning some rather nice prizes!!!

Free entry with and unbelievable £2.00 a pint on selected drinks from 12 noon ’til 7.00pm

The Club will be opening early and showing the events in London on the big screen. The BBQ will start at around 7.00pm with DJ followed by Truth and the Happy Endings going on at 9.00pm

8th APRIL SHOWCASE ACOUSTIC, MC & DJ'S - GARDNA UNLEASHES THE 7 DEADLY SINS!

Obviously tailored for our younger guests, a storming night was had by all. Acoustic artist Sam Evans opened the latest showcase night with his beautiful songs and as a bonus he was joined by friends for a couple. Local MC/DJ Gardna joined him for a collaboration before breaking into his much anticipated set - which included tracks from his 7 Deadly sins mixtape (launched on the night). Local artist and producer Chinkilla joined Gardna on stage for several tracks, before the night was rounded off with sets from the Bass Breaks and Snares DJs, plaing drum n bass, dubstep and jungle.

SOCIAL CLUB TO GET BRAND NEW BUILDING AS PART OF ALCAN REGENERATION

The developer responsible for regeneration of the former Alcan factory site has confirmed that a new community facility to house the Alcan Mardon Social Club will be included as part of the proposed scheme

Linden Homes has confirmed that it will create a brand new building to replace the existing club house. The new facility will be relocated within the site, next to a potential new link to Midsomer Norton’s town centre and a short distance from the existing footpath to the town. There will also be a parking area created for club use.

“Retaining the Social Club on the site is something we looked into in detail. In addition to widespread local support for its retention, we also believe that it will serve as a focal point for this new neighbourhood and ensure there is a useful space where the community can come together. This fact, combined with the resident feedback we have received, has played an important consideration in the layout of the site,” explained Andrew Godden, project manager, Linden Homes.

At a public consultation event held by Linden Homes in November 2010, there was overwhelming support for keeping the Social Club on site, with 66% of those attending believing this was the best solution.

Linden Homes is currently working closely with the Social Club’s management to confirm the details for the building but has said that “the focus has been to design a facility which uses the space as efficiently as possible.”

“The Committee is extremely pleased that Linden Homes has acknowledged the vital role that the Social Club holds in the local community. A new club house will help to rejuvenate the Club enabling us to look at how we can continue to extend the range of activities on offer and expect that the creation of this new residential area will result in an increase in memberships.”

"With what appears to be a long term future ahead of us, we are looking for positive and enthusiastic locals to join us as part of the social club's committee, to help contribute to the ongoing management and the further development of our facility. We would like the committee to truly represent the diversity of those who make use of the club."

• There are several people that deserve thanks for all their work over the past few years. When others lost hope, they pushed on rousing support and rallying allies. Most of you will not have seen the work put in by these individuals and the time they have given up, but its through them that the club is still here and doing better than ever - Thank you to all concerned!

GINGER JIVE OFFER FREE NIGHT OUT!

Would you like a FREE night out for you, your friends, family and work colleagues?
GINGER JIVE have just opened a new modern jive dance night and social evening at Mardons Social Club, Nightingale Way, Midsomer Norton BA3 4NL on Mondays and they would like to invite you and your friends to join them for your first night absolutely free.

Modern jive is a fun easy to learn partner dance which is danced to current chart hits and fab music right back through the decades.
There is no need to book, no need to bring a partner, just email the social club and they will send a reply email for you to print off and take along on any Monday (except Easter) and join in the fun. If you are a club member take along your membership card and automatically get your first night FREE. No experience necessary, you get 2 dance classes per night and then a social evening with a bar and disco afterwards. 8pm - 11pm. (Adults only).

• Having seen the first two dance classes we would highly recommend them - the instructors make learning fun and easy - the atmosphere is very friendly and its a great way to meet people.

On Saturday (19th March) one of the South West’s best known comediansTank Sherman will be hosting a first class Cabaret Evening at Mardon’s Club.

At the end of 2010 Tank heard about the fight for survival of the social club and was so upset at the potential loss of yet another entertainment venue for local people, that he offered to host a Cabaret Evening. His aim was to raise awareness and demonstrate the popularity of Mardons Club. Tank, whose saucy, cheeky humour has made him a favourite on the entertainment scene since 1978 stated that
clubs like Mardons are his bread and butter and are both important for community well being as well as for nurturing young talent. He had seen many clubs forced to close and was determined to do something
to help such a thriving club as Mardons do all it could to stay open.

Tank has selected a superb composition of artists for the evening and appearing alongside the audacious comedian are Lindsey Callard, Jamie Flemming and Peter Baffles, bringing a breadth of song and magic to the occasion. All four acts are of the finest quality and have graced the decks of many cruise liners. Mardons would like to thank these artists for their support of the ‘Keep Mardons Open’ campaign. It is a very kind-hearted gesture by those who have already been successful in the music and performance business to try and keep facilities open and allow them to encourage the artists of the future. It's a timely
coincidence that this excellent night should fall within the same week that the club received the welcome news that the clubs future does look to be secure.

Mardons are hoping for a full house to thank Tank for his support and to help them celebrate their great news The Cabaret Evening promises to be one of the very best seen at the Club and is not to be missed.
Tickets, which are very reasonably priced, can be purchased from the Social Club bar or from Bert Jones by ringing 01761 434 752. The evening starts at 8.30pm and people are advised to arrive in good time
(unless they would like to be part of Tank Sherman’s act).

The four act line up will kick off at 8.30pm prompt. Tickets are on sale from the bar, priced at £10 each.

YELLOWGROOVE & SHOTGUN SHINE

4th MARCH SHOWCASE FOR TWO GREAT BANDS

Mardons would like to invite guests of all ages to come and enjoy hearing some of the best music in the area FREE OF CHARGE and of course to thank those bands for supporting the 'Showcase' nights

Friday 4th March sees Mardons Club welcome two top new acts. Shotgun Shine are offering what looks set to be quite an eclecticmix. With styles from rock to reggae as well as jazzy and funky tinged grooves, their set is sure to be a real crowd pleaser. Martin Found, well known in Midsomer Norton is a very prolific and talented songwriter, he comes up with most of the initial material, with the band then arranging and developing it collaboratively. Primarily playing their own material, they place a strong emphasis on melody, vocals, interesting rhythmic ideas and interplay between the band members, Shotgun Shine really come alive when they play to an audience.

Drummer, Jack Smith of Midsomer Norton, has been playing with Yellowgroove since they formed in early 2008. After a plethora of gigs across the UK, the band were revealed on a wider stage at the Isle of Wight Festival 2010. With a rich, retro vibe and strongly felt influences from the likes of Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac and Jethro Tull, the band have released EP's and more recently a stunning single titled “San Francisco Bay”. The single introduces a brand of folk edged riff rock that has echoes of late 60s Laurel Canyon and is available for a limited time as a free download at www.yellowgroove.co.uk

NEW TO MARDONS - COME AND CHECK IT OUT!

LUKE DENNING ON SOMER VALLEY FM

On Thusday, 10th February, Luke Denning will be chatting and performing on Johnners Live Local Showcase, the evening show on Somer Valley FM. Luke will be promoting our next showcase which is on Friday, 18th February, at which he will perform a solo acoustic set. On the night he'll be joined by the young group of Norton Hill School students 'Little Universe' and the top Bristol pop/punk band 'Mind Museum'. Mind Museum have just released an excellent video to accompany their song 'Rat Race' which is available along with other great tracks from iTunes. As always showcase entry is free, so listen to Luke on local radio, then come see him live at Mardons!

PARFANON TRIUMPH ON THEIR DEBUT NIGHT AT MARDONS

We are all extremely grateful to top local band Parfanon for giving us such an amazing night on Saturday, 5th February. The club was packed, and it was one of the liveliest Saturdays we can remember, the atmosphere was great. Parfanon certainly know how to entertain! - a wide variety of songs performed exceptionally well and a lead singer who's a real showman (whether he's on the stage, the dancefloor, stood on a chair or even on the bar).

Thanks to everyone for coming, for all of you who stayed on for the extended set and especially to those who helped out singing along to Wonderwall! - A top night!

THE KAOS THEORY & BLACKJAKK DRAW A MASSIVE CROWD

It was a very successful night on the 28th January at the Showcase night when The Kaos Theory, a very young but mightily talented band from Norton Hill School returned to play. The Kaos Theory, who recently spent the day recording at a local studio, were one of the first bands to kick start the introduction of the Mardons Showcase Nights. The Showcases have gone from strength to strength, attracting some of the areas biggest names, whilst staying true to the ethos of encouraging young, up and coming talent. On this ocassion they were joined by hard rockers Blackjakk. The lads, also from the school amped up the volume and rocked, much to the appreciation of the lively crowd.

YELLOWGROOVE FEATURE IN THIS WEEKS SOMERSET GUARDIAN

The excellent band Yellowgroove were interviewed in this weeks edition of the Somerset Guardian, they are set to play a Showcase at Mardons on Friday, 4th March. This is an extremely talented and interesting young band that have eclectic influences such as Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac and Jethro Tull. Jack, the bands drummer was kind enough to give us a metion too...

I think places and events like the Wunderbar, Farrington Hootenanny, Mardon's Social Club and the Mardi Gras, to name but a few, have really added value to the community, allowing many young bands to flourish and go on to play larger venues in nearby cities.

Come along and see just how great they are when they showcase with popular local band Shotgun Shine

SOCIAL CLUB LEFT IN LIMBO DESPITE RECENT ASSURANCES - (From The Somerset Guardian)

Alcan plans due next month but still no guarantee for Mardon's

Plans for up to 183 new homes on the former Alcan site in Midsomer Norton are due to be submitted at the end of February. Mel Clinton, from the Nash Partnership, last week gave a presentation to Norton Radstock Town Council, showing plans and designs which feature a range of different two- and three-storey homes. New 'live/work' premises, which include a space to enable people to work from home, are also a big feature of the development.

A total of 183 or 174 homes are proposed, depending on whether Linden Homes choose to keep the Mardon's Social Club open – and in its current location. Out of those homes, 35 per cent will be affordable accommodation.

Members of the town council sent out the message that they do not want Midsomer Norton to become a dormitory town where residents have to travel to Bath or Bristol for work. And they questioned whether a small work unit in the back garden or above the garage can really help counter the area's lack of employment, including the 218 jobs which were lost with the closure of Alcan back in 2006. Mr Clinton said he hoped that creating a "work hub" – a flexible business space where members use a similar system to a gym subscription could be a way of helping to set up new businesses.

Speaking about the quality of the development, he said: "Not all recent developments have been the best in terms of quality, especially in the 1980s, but we hope to make this development different and will take on board local architectural features seen in the town. "What is important and special about Midsomer Norton is that it is very distinct. We have been at looking features such as the white lias stone, the overhanging eaves and the brick detail and will be incorporating these on the new homes."

The promise to invest in community facilities in the area were reiterated at the meeting but a question mark still hung over the Mardon's Club on the former factory site. Mr Clinton said Linden Homes is still investigating the best options and did not rule out closure. He estimated that improvements to the club would cost around £280,000, adding that the developers were prepared to foot the bill for the exterior of the building and the roof but that the club must find the rest of the money.

He said: "The plan works with or with out the inclusion of the social club. A decision on the club doesn't need to be made at this point."

• The 700+ club members, its occasional visitors, skittles, billiards and snooker teams, carnival club, youth football teams and the pensioners group would probably disagree with Mr Clinton's closing comment. Without a firm committment to keep the club they remain in limbo.

• The club has shared their accounts with the developer, proving their claims of a year on year growth (actually bucking the areas trend) and has also demonstrated further potential investment.

• Let us not forget that the club employs a number of people and they wait to hear if they will still be employed after September!

MARDONS CABARET NIGHT - TICKETS ON SALE FROM 20/01/11

Mardons Social Club is hosting a Cabaret Night on Saturday, 19th March. The four act line up will kick off at 8.30 prompt. Tickets are on sale from the bar, priced at £10 each. Tickets are limited and will be issued on a first come, first served basis and may not be reserved. See the line up here!

HUDSON BAKER PROVE TO BE A BIG SUCCESS WITH THE SATURDAY NIGHT CROWD

We'd like to thank Hudson Baker for their outstanding performance on Saturday, 15th January. The band had performed last year at a Showcase and we were keen to give them a try on a Saturday night.

Their set was of the highest standard, once again showing impressive musicianship and vocal talent. There was a really great crowd in and a wide mix of ages - as you can see in the video above, everyone had a great time.