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Nottingham Mods to gather for charity day

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Nottingham has a thriving Mod scene as LYNETTE PINCHESS discovers when she talks to three generations about the appeal of a culture defined by cool fashion, cult music and stylish wheels MOD culture has seen revivals since its heyday in the 1960s but for disciples it has never been away. The scooters, fashion and music were the epitome of cool and are still are for devotees of an era where boys lived for the weekends when they could hang out on their Lambretta and the girls styled themselves on models Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton. The subculture, which originated in London in the late 50s, soon spread to cities including Nottingham, where bands like the Small Faces, the Rolling Stones and The Who played to 'their generation'at Mod hotspots such as the Dungeon Club in Stanford Street and the Brit Club (Britannia Rowing Club) near Trent Bridge. Now half a century after the Mod movement peaked in the early 60s, the scene continues to thrive in Nottingham. Former pilot Alan Jukes, 63, from Keyworth, is one of the original Nottingham Mods. The youngest of four boys, he was brought up with rock 'n' roll, Teddy Boys and motorbikes so it was the ideal chance to rebel. He says: "When the early 60s came and a new wave of music and styles came out I wanted to be part of this new life with colour in it. "It was a form of rebellion which none of my brothers had a part in and they hated all of it which made it even better!" When Alan started work at 15, like other Mods, he used the money in his pocket to buy clothes; a crucial part of being a Mod was a stylish wardrobe with Fred Perry polo shirts, button-down shirts, a tailored suit, Army surplus fishtail parka and Levi's desert boots. Alan recalls: "You had to be smart in the right clothes and have the magical scooter. "The music was a large part of the era. I loved every minute of it. Most of your time was spent hanging around sat on scooters chatting to mates and girls. "Going to venues such as church halls and youth clubs was common place. Weekends we headed to town for the better clubs such as the Dungeon, the Beachcomber and the rowing clubs, Brit, Boat and Union." Even though 50 years has passed Alan and his mates are still on their scooters. "The camaraderie is still very strong among all original Mods from all over the country," he says. "Being Mod is in the blood - it never leaves you. It's how you think, dress and appear when out. You can't put a suit on and declare you're a Mod - it just doesn't happen. "It hasn't changed for us originals and there are a few young Mods coming through who listen to the same music and have the same values. It's all about standards." One of Nottingham's youngest Mods is 17-year-old Laurence Wainwright. While most lads his age are into dubstep and hip hop and listen to Skrillex and A$AP Rocky, Laurence's taste in music has been swayed by his dad's vinyl records. Laurence, of Arnold, says: "I've played the guitar from a young age and enjoyed learning and playing the songs I listened to. "I've always admired the scooters and enjoy seeing the originality of each scooter." He saved the wages from his job at the Soulville Steakhouse in Nottingham, renowned for playing 60's Motown and soul and therefore his 'perfect job', so he could buy a vintage 1979 Vespa PX125. The teenager, who is studying four A-levels at Arnold Hill Academy sixth form, says: "I have re-sprayed the scooter and also added a number of lights and mirrors. The customisation and originality is one of the many factors that I love about the scene. "I enjoy going out and finding new vintage clothes that will make you stand out from the crowd at both my college and when with a group of the local Mods." Laurence's dad Simon, the son of one of Nottingham's original Mods, plays the 60's music he was brought up on when he DJs nights dedicated to the culture, the Britalian Job, at Britannia Rowing Club. Songs such as Little Willie John's I'm Shakin, Small Faces' All or Nothing and Respect by Otis Redding. Simon says: "The Nottingham Mod scene is thriving and is growing by the day, with Mods from the 60s to the young Mod community. "Being a Mod is all about being different, the clothes you wear from suits to daytime wear, it's all about being individual, not wearing the same as another Mod," says Simon, who drives a heavy goods vehicle for a living and rides a 1964 Lambretta LI150 series 3 for pleasure. Simon, 41, of Arnold, runs the Britalian Job with Mark Shaw, 43, of Mapperley, and Mark Crew, 45, of Arnold. Mark C, a self employed painter and decorator, rides a classic series 2 Lambretta LI150 and Mark S, who owns Soulville Steakhouses in Nottingham and Chesterfield, has a classic 60's special Lambretta. Every August they make the pilgrimage down to Brighton to spend the Bank Holiday with other Mods from across the country, a more peaceful gathering than the summer of 1964 when tensions between rival Mods and rockers escalated into riots. In addition to the Britalian Job, there are a number of Mod nights for Nottingham's 200+ devotees: the Chitlin Circuit at the Thurland Hotel; Ronnie London's at the Grosvenor and Kitchener Road which is run by young mods at the Castle pub. There's Hubble Bubble at Plan B and Moddingham at the Boat Club plus Grits and Gravy in Sheffield, a popular haunt for Nottingham Mods. The Britalian Job, which ran for 18 months ten years ago, was resurrected last year and meets every other month. On May 18, they're hosting It's a Mod Thing, a charity day and night with vintage clothing and record stalls, a scooter cruise around the city centre, live music from the Do'notes, 60's hairdressing from Robert Dunsworth, who used to run a salon in London at the height of Mod fever, a raffle and a barbecue from 11am-5pm and then a late bar and live DJ sets from 8pm to 2am. Proceeds are in aid of Maggie's Nottingham, which provides free emotional and practical support to cancer patients and their families at the centre in the grounds of the City Hospital. * Entry to It's a Mod Thing is free 11am-5pm. A £5 donation is suggested for admission 8pm-2am.

Nottingham Mods to gather for charity day


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