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■ I have to agree with Pet Peeves (May 2) and No 4 has just rocketed to the top of my list this week – and will probably remain there for some time!
I was greeted the other morning with, “Y’right, mate,” by a police officer probably younger than my grandson.
Can’t decide whether I was more astounded or affronted. Richard Johnson Filey, North Yorks Ed: I feel your pain – sadly I have reached that age where police officers look like they should still be in school.
■ The radio article by owner Peter Moore (April 26) brought back the memory of hearing Radio Caroline many years ago at home in Essex.
When I was 17 I worked at Mundesley Holiday Camp in Norfolk in the summer of 1974. It was a lovely old-fashioned camp just like the one in Hi-de-Hi and we’d been there for several holidays when I was younger.
I had a small radio and remember listening to Radio Mi Amigo, and I can still hear its jingle. I suppose being on the North Sea coast it was quite clear. I didn’t realise it was also Radio Caroline. Barbara Parsons, Grays, Essex
■ I was interested to read about your trip to the Northern Soul gig at the Royal Festival Hall (May 1).
I watched last year’s Northern Soul Proms at the Albert Hall on TV and, like you, I was blown away by Darrell Smith. What a voice!
I had to Google him as I was watching. Kaye Coleman, Southampton
■ I was fortunate enough to attend Wigan Casino on a weekly basis from 1973 onwards.
I was a bit young at 14, but the formidable Mrs Woods on the door was a neighbour of my late nan, so let me in! My journey into the Northern Soul scene started in an under-18s club under the Casino called The Beachcomber, and that’s where I was introduced to Motown. Mrs Woods eventually got me a job at the Casino to help clear up after the rock nights that took place prior to the all-nighter – no wages but free entry. This photo is me at 18 – no mobile phones back then!
I saw many live bands – The Exciters, Tommy Hunt , the outstanding Betty Wright brought the house down.
I’m 65 in a few days but – wow – what a time we had. I’m still on the scene around the North West although with some tunes now I need a defibrillator! You mentioned the epic intro of Frankie Valli’s The Night – at its height at the Casino, there could be 2,000 in the main room and half again in Mr M’s upstairs where they played all the oldies. Sweat dripped from the walls. Jon Huxley, Wigan
■ I love Northern Soul and Motown too, as my photo shows. I’m off to YMCA Theatre in Scarborough on July 26 to see Belle Voix sing the old classics. I can’t wait!
Sandra Fenwick, retired psychiatric nurse, Scarborough, North Yorks
■ You and your Northern Soul! We have a monthly Vinyl Soul Sunday in the pub. I’m a pub cleaner and the next day I have to clean up talcum powder with beer spills on top of it. It sets like concrete and you need a flamethrower to get rid of it.
Dave Roberts, Southsea, Hants