Archived News & Information

CABARET NIGHT – RAISING MONEY FOR PROSTATE CANCER CHARITY

As you may have read in The Midsomer Norton and Radstock Journal – copied below ...

On 25th March, Keith Ball has organised a Cabaret at the Social Club. Tank Sherman, a very well known comedian/compere, who has visited our club, was very impressed with the hard work put in by Sid Body (you all remember him as Sid the Can-man) and the money he collected for charity. He has put together a cabaret consisting of Peter Baffles ( excellent comedy magician) and Lindsay Collard (singer).

All money raised will go to Sid’s Charity for Prostate Cancer. ...Tickets can be bought from Keith on: 01761 413338 or over the bar at Mardon’s Social Club (on sale Friday, 3rd Feb, from 9 p.m.)

Taken from a report by Anne Morgan

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IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PARENTS

We welcome well-behaved, well-supervised children into the Social Club. The safety of our members, guests and children in the club and its surrounds is paramount.

All children must be visually and properly supervised by parents or guardians at all times ... The club is not responsible for the supervision of your children.

Any Member or Guest shown to be incapable of correct supervision will lose the privilege of bringing children into the Social Club.

Please do not bring your bikes, scooters or similar toys into the club and no skates or heelies are to be used on the premises.

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CRAWLIN KINGSNAKES

Back by overwhelming demand The Crawlin' Kingsnakes will perform at MardonsSocial Club, Midsomer Norton, on Saturday, 11th February.
The four piece have a passionate appreciation for the Rockabilly, Rock & Roll and Swing Jive sound and style. The retro vibe has become as popular with younger audiences as it is with older fans, so much so the bristol band perform at all manner of venues, festivals and conventions across the country.

They say "Hey there! We play all the best songs from the 50s onwards. We try to keep our sound as authentic as possible, using era equipment and techniques, so, you're sure to have a Rockin good time!!"

Before they even start playing, you just know they are a class act, with stage set up including: an authentic Shure 55 retro styled mic, a Gretsch White Falcon Electro-Acoustic guitar, classic vintage amps, a Gretch Catalina drum kit in matt black with Sabian cymbals, an not to mention a fabulous custom painted Double Bass with a Fishman bridge pick-up and a neck pick-up for that classic rockabilly click sound – it's truly impressive!

Set lists include: Rockabilly Boogie - Johnny Burnette, Atom Bomb Baby - Carlos and the Bandidos, Flyin Saucers Rock n Roll - Billy Riley, Never Can Tell - Chuck Berry, Rock This Town - Stray Cats and even the self-penned Crawlin Kingsnake!

Music starts at 9 p.m., entry is totally free and non members are very welcome on this exciting night.

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OPENING TIMES OVER CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR ...

Christmas Eve 12:00 – 23:00
Christmas Day 11:00 – 13:00
Boxing Day (TICKET ONLY) 12:00 – 17:00
Boxing Day (Evening) 17:00 – 23:00
Tuesday 27th December 12:00 – 23:00
New Year’s Eve (Day) 12:00 – 16:00
New Year’s Eve Party (TICKET ONLY) 19:00 – Late
Sunday 1st January 12:00 – 23:00
Monday 2nd January 12:00 – 23:00.

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OH YES! ... IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN!

On Christmas Eve, the Social Club will be open all day from noon. Once again Glyn and his team of helers will host the Kids Christmas Party an annual community event for the local children, starting at 1 p.m. There will be all the usual fun, games and general mayhem. Santa will drop in to see all the good little boys and girls and, of course, there will be lots of treats throughout the day.The club will stay open all afternoon and throught the the evening, so come along and join us as we prepare for the big day.

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TICKETS FOR BOXING DAY & NEW YEAR'S EVE - UPDATE

We are getting towards the last of the tickets for both the Boxing Day Disco and the New Year's Eve Party with Limited Edition. Last year we had a superb night with Freeze and anyone who's seen Limited Edition before will know that this year is destined to be one of the best ever ... so we do warn you ... if you want a ticket, please get one as soon as possible numbers are limited, when they are gone, they are gone!

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MARDONS CHRISTMAS PARTY NIGHT

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IMPORTANT NOTICE: BOXING DAY DISCO & NEW YEAR'S EVE TICKETS

In an effort to allow our members the best opportunity to get tickets for these events, we have been advertising them only on the internal digital display boards at the club for the past month.

Boxing Day Disco tickets went on sale to MEMBERS ONLY on Friday, 28th October and we encourage any member interested in attending to purchase their ticket prior to them going on GENERAL SALE on Saturday, 5th November. Members may purchase one adult ticket per each current valid membership card shown. Members tickets cost £5 per adult and £2 per each child (we have a limited number of child tickets available).

From Saturday, 5th November, non members may purchase any remaining tickets at a cost of £7 per each adult.

New Year's Eve tickets are on sale to MEMBERS ONLY from Friday, 4th November at 8 p.m. This year we have the exceptional Limited Edition performing for us, so we anticipate tickets to sell very quickly. Members may purchase one ticket at a cost of £10 per each current valid membership card shown.

From Saturday, 12th November, New Year's Eve tickets will go on GENERAL SALE and non members may purchase any remaining tickets at a cost of £12 each.

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PURPLE FISH - THE ULTIMATE CLASSIC ROCK TRIBUTE

Purple Fish come to Mardons for a rare and highly coveted public performance, on Saturday, 17th September.

Presenting their 'Ultimate Classic Rock Tribute', the five-piece deliver a vast array of the very best music. Performing songs from the cream of classic rock royalty and spanning the years, they showcase hits from the likes of Fleetwood Mac, Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and ACDC. Mixing it all up with some pop favourites from Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Prince and even ABBA, this is another great addition to Mardons' September line up.

With both male and female vocalist, one with a background at The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and then the Scottish Opera, the other fronting a very successful Rolling Stones tribute band, these are a class act. Backed by hugely talented musicians, the group mostly play private or large scale venues - Highlights include recently entertaining 2,000 people in Guernsey over the Bank Holiday weekend and also rocking out with 4,000 people in Belgravia, London!

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MARDONS NOW ACCEPT CREDIT & DEBIT CARDS

We are happy to announce that we are now accepting *credit and debit card payments at the bar.
Plus ... members can now add credit to their membership cards ... so you need never get caught short!
*except American Express.

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A MASSIVE SUCCESS AS MARDONS CELEBRATE

We had a truly great night on Saturday, 30th July. Members and guests arrived in force to celebrate the club's first year in the new building. Entertainment came from the brilliant Van Burgundy - Thank you to everyone who has supported the club in the last year and we all look forward to the future.

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THE CLUB CELEBRATES ITS FIRST YEAR IN THE NEW BUILDING

Its been an extraordinary year for Mardons Social Club since they moved into a brand new building last July and to celebrate the club are staging a Summer Anniversary Party on Saturday, 30th July.
The saga of the club's difficult transition is all but a distant memory now as they enjoy their purpose built premises on the new part of the Linden Homes development on the Nightingale Estate at Norton Hill. Though always a successful local social club, the last year has seen Mardons evolve to become busier, more successful and widely recognised as a leading local venue, attracting visitors both locally and from considerably further afield!

Despite being a members club, non members and walk-ins are always welcomed, although joining gains members substantial bar discounts (10-15% off), so the fee is quickly recouped. As a not for profit, voluntary-run organisation, funds are fed back into the club. Already having invested in new furniture and air-conditioning etc, the committee is now developing the outside space with additional seating areas and BBQ facility, and will continue to look at ways to improve to ensure the community gets the best possible experience when visiting its club.

Known for the high calibre of it's entertainment, the past year has seen a cavalcade of great musicians visit Mardons, with the most diverse musical styles and genres on display each week. The club has an excellent relationship with some of the region's leading bands, many of whom don't generally play public venues, so the line up of bands on offer remains at a consistently high standard. Look out for upcoming performances including Elevation, The Thundertones, Stiff Upper Lips and an exciting debut from the very special Purple Fish. Support for the bands over the past year has been incredible and with free entry and low bar prices, Mardons hope to see even more locals taking advantage and enjoying a great night out.

The recent Euro 2016 football, though short-lived for the England team, saw the club packed as locals crowded in to take advantage of the excellent big screen and, of course, the superb club atmosphere. Offering both Sky and BT Sports coverage for all sporting events, the club will be providing all the Premier League football when the season kicks off and look forward welcoming back the lively football crowds.

Summer Skittles returned successfully this year and with darts, pool and regular skittles now bringing teams into the club throughout the week, organisers hope that their fun, team 'Triathlon' event on Sunday, 28th August will be well supported - Teams of four will compete at pool, darts and skittles to see who stands triumphant at the end of the day.

Working closely with local community groups, whether offering the use of facilities or welcoming them for social events, the club is keen to develop ties with more organisations in the future and are always happy to discuss ways in which they can help. In the past year alone, Mardons have assisted and fundraised for Dorothy House, Swallow, St John Ambulance, Cots for Tots and RUH Cancer Care Campaign, to name just a few. They have hosted events and meetings for Westfield Parish Council, DNA Arts, local residents, a pensioners' group and many others. With a 'Musicians Against Homelessness' fundraising event featuring young up and coming talent planned for September, as well as other charity-based dates in the pipeline, the club will be reaching out to the community for their generous support of these worthy causes.

The Summer Anniversary Night will see Mardons partying with great new band The Van Burgundy. The modern, 4 piece band play a wide genre of music, pop, rock, soul, ska and reggae, this is a function band for all generations. With an awesomely diverse set list, this is an exciting band where you'll never guess what song is coming next! Expect a party atmosphere on this special night, entry is free and there will be bar offers. Music starts at 9pm, but arrive between 7pm and 9pm to get a welcome drink and free entry into the prize draw.

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CCTV SUCCESS AS VANDAL IS HELD ACCOUNTABLE

Those of you who follow our Facebook account will most likely have seen our recently posted video. The CCTV footage (which has now been made private) showed one of a group of six people causing damage to our surroundings (the video was posted only after we had checked with the police).

With a huge number of views and multiple shares, the post reached about 4000 local facebook users in the first few hour of it going live. We are pleased to say, the response was excellent, with messages of information coming to us and also the culprit owning up. The matter is now in hand and compensation to the managent company has been agreed.

The social club and residents of the estate pay a service charge in order for a company to manage the surroundings and indeed repair or replace anything that is damaged. Therefore foolish actions, reckless behaviour and criminal destruction proves costly to us all.

We are extremely pleased to have demonstrated both the effectiveness of our excellent CCTV and the heartening support of this community - hopefully this will go some way to serve as a deterrent to others in the future.

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AGM - CAN YOU HELP?

The Annual General Meeting will take place on Thursday, 14th July at 6.30pm at the social club.

Nominations for officers or topics for discussion, with a proposer or seconder to the Secretary, Dave Huyton, in writing, by Monday, 11th July. We are looking for enthusiastic people to join our committee, so, if you think you could be of help, come and join us.

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NEW MEMBERSHIP YEAR

As we enter July, it's time for members to renew their membership to the club for the next year. Your swipe cards will cease to be active from July 1st.

Although you don't have to be a member in order to enjoy the use of the club, the swipe card gives you substantial discounts on drinks at the bar (10-15%). The membership cars will also gain you priority when we sell event tickets, so it's well worth the very reasonably priced membership fee.

In order to gain your price discounts, existing members, should just hand over your membership card to the bar staff, along with your £5 fee and they will immediately update your swipe card.

If you aren't a member, just complete a form at the bar and the staff should, in most cases, be able to issue your memebership on the spot.

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SUMMER SKITTLES

Followng a couple year's absence, summer skittles returns to Mardons.
A small but elite group of teams have come together to take part in the league and contest the title. Matches will be played on week nights, starting this month (May). Teams are asked to check the fixtures and information at the following link ... Good luck to you all!

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THE SKINNY DIPPERS

New band, The Skinny Dippers, make their exciting debut at Mardons Social Club on Saturday, 21st May.
The Skinny Dippers are a 4-piece party covers band based in Bristol, playing great music from the 50s right up to the latest modern pop classics. They've been entertaining since their formation back in 1993 and come to Mardons following a recommendation by another respected band.

Their extensive repertoire of songs cover a wide range of musical styles, disco, dance, pop, rock, soul, rock'n'roll and country, everything from Elvis to The Wurzels, The Specials to Depeche Mode and right through to Bruno Mars and even Avicii!

The current line up of Andy, Mike, Paul and Roger, are a really hard working band with lots of experience. They say, "We have played hundreds of shows and we understand how to make a party swing. We don't have a pre-arranged set list, we play what feels right in the moment, to maintain the momentum and keep the party bubbling and the dance floor packed."

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THEY'RE BACK!

Following a triumphant performance at the New Year's Eve party, Freeze return to Mardons Social Club, Midsomer Norton, on Saturday, 14th May. From their first appearance, just a few years ago, five piece Bristol band, Freeze have quite rightly established themselves as firm favourites. Each gig sees them setting a higher standard, with their sell out performance reaching a whole new level at New Year. Demonstrating great versatility, a dynamic sound and an unrivalled ability to create authentic versions of well known songs, Freeze are deserving of their fantastic reputation.

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HARLEM RHYTHM CATS RETURN

We are excited to be joined by the fabulous Harlem Rhythm Cats for a 'swinging, be-bopping' night on Saturday, 7th April.
On their last visit, the group cleverly transformed the stage adding standard lamps and a make-shift piano, all adding to the ambience. Fronted by the smouldering vocals of the beautiful Natalie Taylor, the five-Piece band play popular black American music, the very best smokin' hot classics of 1940s/50s, songs from the golden age of boogie woogie and rhythm and blues. Expect everything spanning from the early days, right up to present-day, modern classics.

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LIMITED EDITION RETURN!

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AUTHENTIC ROCK N ROLL / ROCKABILLY

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EXCITING NEW BAND: ANGEL UP FRONT

Purveyors of quality pre-owned rock and pop favourites, Angel Up Front are a Bristol based 4-piece band making an exciting debut at Mardons Social Club of Midsomer Norton, on Saturday, 12th March.

Angel Up Front cover pop, disco, indie, classic and modern rock, all delivered with a side order of cheese. With a refreshingly diverse mix of artists listed in their covers, look out for tracks ranging from Blondie, Chuck Berry, Fleetwood Mac, Queen and Gloria Gaynor through to Daft Punk, Katy Perry, Maroon 5, Michael Jackson and P!nk.

Fronting the band is the energetic and multi-talented Rosa, bringing powerful vocals and bags of charisma, having played in several function bands, she thoroughly enjoys being on the stage entertaining people. Guitarist, Alan, has been playing in a variety of originals and covers bands for many years and can turn his hand to just about any style. Ben provides bass and backing vocals, keeping the rhythms tight with drummer, Stuart, the driving force and founding member of the band. He has been playing in covers and original bands all around the UK and in Europe since he was 15.

They say: It's part of our philosophy that, if we have fun, then so will our audience. We always put on a show! With stunning vocals, this is rock like it should be played – foot on the monitor and tongue in cheek, there’s no just standing there with Angel Up Front.

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A VERY LEAKY BUILDING

As we are sure you cannot have helped but notice, last weekend the Social Club building, built by Linden Homes, suffered significant water damage due to leaks from the floors above.

This is a repeat of the issue that delayed our move into the new club on a couple of occasions and although it was reportedly fixed, signs that it was not the case became apparent several weeks ago. Despite Linden Homes changing ceiling tiles at the time, it appears that the larger problem was certainly not rectified.

We have continued on, despite the loss of ceiling tiles and a host of buckets collecting water, but the potential damage, particularly to the dance floor and the newly installed (and costly) air con units is a real concern.

We appreciate all your understanding and apologise for any disruption at the Cabaret and also at the Worlds Biggest Pub Quiz.

Linden Homes did visit the club on Monday, 8th February, to inspect all the damage that was caused and we are now awaiting their solution to this serious problem. In the meantime we thank you for your patience and as long as weather permits it's business as usual!

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SKA NIGHT: Train To Skaville return

Last year, the 'Ska Night' at Mardons Social Club, Midsomer Norton, proved to be one of the musical highlights of their year. Expectations are high as Train To Skaville make their return on Saturday, 20th
February, and despite the miserable weather the band will once again be spreading their feelgood, summer vibes.

Train to Skaville are one of the coolest ska, reggae and rocksteady bands around, hailing from the Caribbean island of Wiltshire, they formed back in 2011 and have been pleasing crowds ever since. Last
year, the club was at capacity for the night, which saw the audience singing and dancing along to an array of favourites, including, Monkey Man, A Message To You Rudy and the incredibly infectious Lip Up Fatty.

The band say: Train To Skaville are a band that are bound to get you moving to their rhythmic grooves and lift your mood.

The band's superb line up is not only wonderfully talented, but hugely likeable and it's easy to see why audiences warm to them from the very first song.

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THE WORLD'S BIGGEST QUIZ

It was an excellent turn out for the Quiz night on Sunday, 7th February 2016, with a room full of teams raising funds for our chosen charity, Dorothy House, Hospice Care. Thank you.

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TAKE PART IN THE WORLD'S BIGGEST PUB QUIZ

Join us at Mardons to be part of The World's Biggest Pub Quiz, on Sunday, 7th February, at 7.30 p.m.
All funds raised will go to local charity Dorothy House Hospice Care.

Thousands of quizzers in venues the length and breadth of the country will sit down to answer a series of questions in an identical quiz, on the same day, at the same time, creating the largest multi-venue quiz.

Your host for the night will be Mr Scott Stevenson, Scott is a regular at Mardons and he is also a writer of best selling pub quizzes. Coma along and join the fun, we are looking for teams of 4-6 players at £2.50 per person, there are prizes to be won!

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WILL DEVELOPER CASH IN ON SECTION 106 U-TURN? Front page of The Journal

Residents, local Councillors and members of Mardons Social Club committee in Westfield have expressed their dismay at reports that developer, Linden Homes, is preparing to submit a planning application to turn an area above the thriving social club into flats, which was originally designated as office space under a Section 106 planning agreement with B&NES when the old factory site was redeveloped.

The club says it fought long and hard to keep its presence on the estate, during both planning and whilst waiting for the new building to be complete, which still has leaking ceilings and parking issues still not resolved to this day, having officially opened last summer.

Recently, angry residents gathered at the clubhouse for a meeting regarding service charges for the new estate, with roads and surfaces remaining incomplete and were exasperated when they were not met by a Linden Homes representative, but someone from the estate management committee instead. Local Councillor for Westfield, Robin Moss, (Labour), reports this was also the case when he and fellow Westfield Councillor, Eleanor Jackson, requested a meeting with the developer to take a look around the office space which has failed to be let, only to be met with a PR company representative. This space has now been taken off the market, reportedly prior to a planning application for change of use to the two floors above the social club being submitted.

The Mardons committee has every right to be concerned. The potential for an application of up to fourteen flats could be problematic for the club, which has seen a new lease of life since opening and was soundproofed for the houses that surround it.With office space above, it could continue to flourish without disturbing anyone after the workers had gone home, providing a leisure resource for people on the estate and in the area. The club hosts live music every Saturday night, plus private party bookings and social gatherings during the week. If residents were living directly above it, the club says, they will be disturbed by the general hustle and bustle, would be overlooking the beer garden and smoking area, with brewery deliveries and bottle collection and restocking causing disturbance.

The shared use of the building in the original planning application was carefully planned and thought out. Next door is the Teddy Bear Nursery, which operates at different times to the social club, which was also meant to combat parking issues, with the nursery concerned that any new residents living above would be able to view the children playing outside. Mardons Social Club argue that parking is already contentious on the estate, with plans for flats, if they are submitted, potentially making the issue worse.

Speaking to The Journal this week, Cllr Robin Moss said he would be asking B&NES Council its policy on enforcing Section 106 agreements, now known as Community Infrastructure Levy, which is meant to benefit the community and to offset the effects of building new developments. He said: "This particular building on the estate was part of a wider plan, with an agreement to find a new home for Mardons Social Club, nursery and office space, so that some of the jobs lost on the old factory site would be replaced. It wasn't the intention for Linden Homes to change their minds and suddenly decide they would rather profit from the sale of flats, than let the community gain from extra local employment opportunities."

A spokesperson for Mardons Social Club said that if the planning application is submitted, it would make a 'mockery' of the local authority's process. He said: "How long will it be before potential restrictions endanger the club's very existence and threaten the loss of this important community facility."
The club says it will be doing everything it can to object to the plans, and intends to launch an online petition to send to B&NES Council.

The PR company, which met with Cllrs Moss and Jackson last week, was contacted prior to going to press, but was unavailable for comment.

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IMPRESSIVE LINE-UP FOR CABARET NIGHT

Mr Keith Ball, a longstanding member of Mardons Social Club and Chairman of the Pensioners' group, has very kindly organised a feast of entertainment for a Cabaret night, which is to be held on Saturday, 6th February. Mr Ball, who is well-know for hosting many a great cabaret night, has once again teamed up with local comedian and compere Tank Sherman to hand-pick the very best acts.

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A NEW YEAR, A NEW BAND - INTRODUCING WIRED4SOUND

We kick off a brand new year with the introduction of a brilliant new band, on Saturday, 9th January.
Wired4Sound are an extremely talented, 5 piece, pop and rock covers band from Bristol. Having played all the top function venues in the South West, they were recently spotted gigging by a regular of Mardons, and so they come very highly recommended.

Covering a diverse mix of genres from 60s to current chart sounds, the band will appeal to all ages and offer something for everyone. Expect great renditions of songs from artists like Dusty Springfield, Wild Cherry, The Contours and Queen, right through to Ed Sheeran, Jess Glynne, Olly Murs and Jessie J.
Wired4Sound say: Being multi-instrumentalists, we are able to cover a huge range of styles and genres, so we can cater for a wide range of different audiences and venues. We are very excited to be playing Mardons and looking forward to a great night.

Music starts at 9 p.m. and entry is again free to all, with non members very welcome to come along for the night. There's lots more incredible stuff coming up too!.

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PUBLIC NOTICE: LINDEN HOMES RESIDENTS MEETING

7th January 2016 at 5 p.m.at Mardons Social Club
Some of the residents of the new Linden Homes houses have organised a meeting to be held at Mardons Social Club, it's open to all current residents living on the Linden Estate.
They have arranged for a Linden Homes representative to attend and to respond to any questions and concerns. A chance to discuss the maintenance charges, general upkeep, road surfaces and any other issues that may be affecting residents. Please tell your neighbours.

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HAPPY NEW YEAR MARDONS!

What a truly fabulous night we had on New Year's Eve - Freeze you were stunning - Thank you.

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CHRISTMAS EVE AT MARDONS

On Christmas Eve, the Social Club will be open all day from noon. Once again organisers will host the Kids Christmas Party an annual community event for the local children, starting at 1 p.m. There will be all the usual fun, games and general mayhem, but this year, kids are invited to come in fancy dress. The chosen theme is Heroes and Princesses and there will be prizes for the best dressed (fancy dress is optional). Santa will drop in to see all the good little boys and girls and, of course, there will be lots of treats throughout the day.

In the evening, Mardons will be partying with a festive disco from 7 p.m. There will be lots of great music and a chance to let your hair down before the big day. Entry is again free and they'd love you to join them, on behalf of everyone at Mardons, Merry Christmas!

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MARDONS CHRISTMAS PARTY NIGHT

It's been a whole year since the wonderful Upfront and Casual lads played to a capacity crowd at the old Mardons Club. They return on Saturday, 19th December to take to the stage in the new club and are all set to deliver another knock-out performance as Mardons host their Christmas Party Night.

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RE THINK YOUR OPINION OF A SOCIAL CLUB - from the Westfield Warbler

No longer is it the realm of an old man's quiet drinking retreat. No more are new people glared at when they dare to enter. Gone are the old-fashioned club-style acts playing cheesy characterless covers of songs you've heard a thousand times before!

Mardons Social Club is very much a forward thinking, creative and welcoming venue that actively encourages all ages - truly offering something for everyone.

The club's new building has now been open for a few months and is thriving. Despite still being a little tricky to find on the new development on the Nightingale Estate at Norton Hill, attendance has been impressive, steadily building week on week as new visitors discover what they've been missing. With guests now regularly travelling all the way to Mardons from places as far away as Street, Glastonbury, Wells and Bath, the club is still very keen to let local people know what's on offer and to dispel the often wrongly held preconceived ideas of the social club.

A busy skittles schedule, along with darts and pool, means that week nights are well attended. With occasional party bookings and events keeping Friday nights thriving, It's Saturday nights that are particularly booming.

The superb musicians secured by the club, are finally getting the notice they deserve. All the bands booked to play are carefully chosen, not only to ensure they are at the top of their game, but also to maintain the variety and diversity that the club has become known for.

Never complacent, the club only works with the very best musicians around, often gaining exclusive public performances from groups that generally only play private or corporate functions. Whether it's rock n roll, pop, soul, ska or even boogie woogie, you are sure to find something that will appeal as the club continues to deliver top quality entertainment each week.

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TICKETS FOR BOXING DAY & NEW YEAR'S EVE

As predicted, tickets have been selling fast with Boxing Day tickets nearly going on the first night and quickly selling out the following afternoon. The New Year's Eve Party with Freeze is also selling well and so we do warn you ... if you want a ticket, please get one as soon as possible numbers are limited, when they are gone, they are gone!

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FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE with YE OLDE AVALON

Friday Night Live returns on 20th November as rising local favourites Ye Olde Avalon take to the stage at Mardons Social Club.The 5 piece band write, record and perform their own original music that falls somewhere in the alternative / country / rock / blues genre.

They say: It's a bit of an eclectic mix ... but one that really works ...you'll see! We love putting on a good show and love to get people involved with our live set ... Having fun is what it's all about! With thoughtful lyrics, rolling beats, complimentary bass, driving acoustic, a slice of lead guitar and keys, you get the Ye Olde Avalon sound.

W ith influences from Johnny Cash to The Eagles to Reef and Counting Crows they deliver country vibes, folky-blues notes and a rock edge combining to create a lovely new fresh sound. Back in the summer the group played a much acclaimed set at The Big Gig and now having taken a short break they return with some newly written material. Entry is free, come along and support the local lads..

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TICKETS FOR BOXING DAY AND NEW YEAR'S EVE

This year, we aren't having a ticketed night on Christmas Eve, instead we are hosting a disco in the evening, which is free entry and open to all. Our infamous kids Christmas party is happening again on Christmas Eve too, from 1 p.m. til 3 p.m. It's free entry to all and it promises to be quite an afternoon
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Boxing Day will be our afternoon disco, always a sell out, this yea the disco comes fromD & K Sounds. Adult tickets are £7, or just £5 per each current membership card you present. Kids are welcome on this afternoon, their tickets are £2 - numbers will be limited.

On New Year's Eve, we are really excited to have the incredible Freeze joining us. They always entertain and are one of our most popular bands. With lively, talented musicians and a set list that will keep all ages happy, we expect this to be a spectacular New Year's Eve party. Tickets are £12, or £10 per each current membership card you present.

Tickets go on sale to MEMBERS ONLY from 8 p.m. on Friday, 13th November until Thursday, 26th November and are only available from the Social Club. Members must provide one membership card for each ticket. ie. If you want four tickets for New Year's Eve, you will need to provide four individual membership cards ... each member is allowed only one ticket and this will be carefully monitored.

From Friday, 27th November onwards, should there be any tickets remaining, they will go on general sale and be available to everyone ... If you are a member, dont miss out - we do expect all tickets to sell quickly this year.

There will be no reserving of tickets, no handing membership cards to committee members to get them for you ... in the interest of fairness, if you want a ticket then you will need to be at the club to buy one before they sell out.

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THE MAN FROM FUNKLE

Acclaimed function band The Man From Funkle make their debut at Mardons Social Club on Saturday, 7th November. The versatile female fronted four piece band, consisting of vocals, guitar, bass and drums have been delighting audiences all over the country for over 15 years. Their repertoire is extremely broad and varied, in fact they have one of the most extensive catalogues of songs the club has ever seen: modern pop and rock, disco and funk, soul and R n B, all guaranteed to keep everyone strutting their stuff on the dance floor!

Guests are really in for a special night as once again the social club is extremely lucky to have secured a booking with a band who work almost exclusively at private or corporate functions. Their impressive list of previous clients include: Birmingham NEC, Royal Bank of Scotland, Halifax, Master Card. British Aerospace and the BBC as well as having entertained at Butlins and Pontins.

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HIGH SPIRITS AS HALLOWEEN NIGHT APPROACHES

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THE CEILI RETURN – IT'S IRISH NIGHT

On Saturday, 24th October, Mardons welcome back some old friends, as they prepare for a good old knees up - Irish style! Acoustic band 'The Ceili' will again be delivering their mix of traditional Irish and Celtic music along with a heavy dose of blarney, from their witty frontman. The 'Irish Night' is always popular with guests, the well known favourites, Tell Me Ma and Irish Rover are floor filling, crowd pleasers. There's creative arrangements of modern songs, along with some random song choices thrown in too, so expect some laughs, some hand-clapping and some very sing-along choruses!

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FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE - MORE DIVERSITY AT MARDONS

It's the first Friday Night Live at Mardons Social Club, on Friday, 23rd October - this new venture sees more diverse bands taking to the Mardons stage - bands you wouldn't normally see playing their regular Saturday slots. Female fronted Southern Lights are an exciting new, five-piece, full of energy and passion. Covering some of the greatest rock and pop songs from the past four decades, visitors may spot a familiar face - the club's barman Matt on guitar. Entry is free, so come along and show some support.

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THE TUNDERTONES ROCK N ROLL!

Mardons Social Club give a warm welcome to local band, The Thundertones, on Saturday, 17th October.

Everything has its beginning, even 'Rock n Roll'. It's been around a long time now and these guys take you back to when it all first began, some call it Rockabilly, the fusion between Rhythm and Blues, Country
Music and Swing. Essentially it's all about music you have to dance to, this five piece band bring all the energy and fun of that early Rock n Roll, taking you on a journey from Elvis through to Johnny Cash
and from Eddie Cochran to The Stray Cats.

The band has a Rockin' history, in years passed, as a previous four piece incarnation, they have played clubs and pubs throughout the South West (including Mardons). Three of the original members of the
band have now joined up with a new drummer and an additional guitarist to bring you this versatile but original Rock n Roll artillery unit. The Thundertones say: Dance if you want to, but either way, we bet you won't be able to stop your feet from moving.

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COME AND DANCE TO POP ROCK FAVOURITES WITH RAZAR!

Glastonbury rock and pop band RaZaR play for the first time at Mardons Social Club, on Saturday, 10th October.

Continuing to champion the great bands of the area, Mardons are pleased to welcome this entertaining, hard working and energetic covers bands. RaZaR play music that's great for dancing, everything is upbeat and there's a real mix of new and old, covering the likes of Fleetwood Mac, Beatles, Kinks, Bryan Adams, Chuck Berry, Elton John, Cream, Police, Queen and The Killers. With a charismatic lead singer who's backed by superb musicians, RaZaRs positive stage energy and enjoyment is infectious. All four members come with an impressive pedigree, having cut their teeth in a number of very respected local bands, Cable Co, The Rejects, Killing Time and Black Magic Woman to name just a few.

RaZaR say: It's all about energy. Come to a gig and experience over two hours of relentless feel good rock music. There isn't a slow song in a set, covering every decade from 1960's to the present day.

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CHARITY QUIZ NIGHT!

It's charity quiz night at Mardons Social Club, on Friday, 2nd October. This time, the club is supporting local man, Glyn Pearce, in his fundraising efforts for St John Ambulance.

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GREAT MUSIC KEEPS ON COMING ... ELEVATION!

There are great expectations at Mardons Social Club as Bristol's Elevation make their debut appearance on Saturday, 3rd October, and with the likes of popular bands like Freeze singing their praises, they have a lot to live up to.

The hugely experienced four piece rock and pop band have a set list that flows through the decades, covering a wide range of classics to suit all tastes. They have a real talent for song selection, picking the very best, from artists such as Queen, The Beatles, Take That, Oasis, Bon Jovi, Daft Punk, Duran Duran and even boyband Five (and that barely scratches the surface).

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BOOGIE WOOGIE AND BLUES!

Experience something a little different this weekend at Mardons. The Harlem Rhythm Cats drop by for a swinging, be-bopping evening on Saturday, 22nd August.

The five-Piece band play popular black American music, the very best smokin' hot classics of 1940s/50s, songs from the golden age of boogie woogie and rhythm and blues. But expect everything spanning from the early days, right up to present-day, modern classics.

They say: As well as playing some of the more familiar numbers from this genre, our repertoire focuses away from the more commercial side to the slightly less well known, quirkier side of boogie woogie and blues. So if you like a bit of Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ruth Brown and their blues and jazz contemporaries then we will get you out of your seat and on the floor.

Typical sets include Lipstick On His Collar, I got Trouble, Why Don't You Do Right and Never Can Tell.
The Harlem Rhythm Cats guarantee to have you hip-shaking and toe-tapping with their infectious grooves and smouldering, sexy tunes.

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A PACKED MARDONS CLUB FOR THE RUH CANCER CARE CHARITY NIGHT!

A massive thank you to everyone who came along to support the Cancer Care Charity Night for the Royal United Hospital. A special thank you Tundra, you were stunning, and to Geoff Urch who did a great job with the disco and raffle - and thank you all for making it such a brilliant night!

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SKA NIGHT WITH TRAIN TO SKAVILLE (Saturday, 15th August)

We are all set for some feelgood, summer vibes on Saturday, 15th August - even if the weather is awful!

Five piece band 'Train To Skaville' will join us for a very much anticipated and free to enter, Ska Night. Train to Skaville say they are a ska, reggae, rocksteady band from the Caribbean island of Wiltshire. Formed in 2011, as a merger of members from two legendary local bands, 'Longshot ' and 'Carnaby Street', they have been delighting audiences ever since. The band consist of Tim Cross on vocals and rhythm guitar, Julie Moreton on vocals, Lance Thorman on bass, Jason May delivers drums and vocals and Marcel Rose completes the line-up on lead guitar.

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RUH CANCER CARE CHARITY NIGHT AT MARDONS

We are proud to hosting a very special charity night on Saturday, 8th August

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TWENTY FLIGHT ROCK AT MARDONS!

We are pleased to welcome Twenty Flight Rock, to Mardons on Saturday, 1st August. Formed in 1982 and heavily influenced by Eddie Cochran, original drummer Martyn Perryman is still setting the beat, with drums and vocals. Ace guitarist and vocalist Chris Waring has been on the rock n roll circuit for many years playing with many artists such including Johnny Powers and Graham Fenton. Completing the trio is local man, Darren Payne, playing the beautiful Black Slap bass and adding another layer of vocals.

This popular rock n roll / rockabilly, trio play events all over the country, most recently headlining the prestigious American Car Show Weekend in Dawlish where they played to a packed dance floor for two days! Typical sets includes all the great rock n roll favourites, Eddie Cochran's Twenty Flight Rock (the inspiration for the bands name), Come On Everybody, Summertime Blues, plus other great numbers such as Rock This Town, Tear it up, Oh Boy and many many more.

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MARDONS PENSIONERS CELEBRATE On Wednesday, 16th July, the Alcan LM Pensioners Association held their first monthly meeting in the new Mardons Social Club. We are very pleased that all the pensioners will be renewing their memberships again this year. Editor of The Journal, Becky Brooks, was on hand to capture the moment as a celebration cake and sherry were served. Thank you to Becky for attending and for the photographs.

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MOMENTUM A NEW YOUNG BAND FRESH TO MARDONS!

Momentum UK arrive at Mardons Social Club on Saturday, 25th July. New to the club, the six-piece pop / rock band perform covers ranging from artists such as Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga and David Guetta, as well as numerous popular 80s artists. Formed in 2013, with three guitarists, a bass player, drummer and two strong female vocalists, the band have a passion for great music and taking well-known songs and adding their own rock spin.

Kim has great onstage presence and doesn't shy away from showcasing her classically trained voice. Amy adds sensational harmonies and vocal range, whilst Duncan, the band's lead guitarist, brings a wealth of experience to the group and rock 'n' roll presence. Having played with numerous bands, Jason is the unsung hero, spearheading the backline with both his guitar and vocals. Matt is the youngest member of the band, with a flair far beyond his years. James, with his beats, is the glue behind the band, keeping everyone together, providing the driving force!

Set lists include: Africa by Toto, Any Way You Want It by Journey and Big In Japan by Alphaville, right through to Don't You Worry Child by Swedish House Mafia and even Skyfall by Adele.

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THE HONKY TONKS ARE COMING TO MARDONS!

On Saturday, 18th July the brand new Mardons Social Club will be entertained by the very popular local band, Honky Tonks. The soul/rock/pop band that originated from the Court Hotel, Chilcompton, offer something for everyone, a truly wide selection of music from across the decades as well as the latest in contemporary hits. In addition to their vast repertoire, several tracks are arranged into original medleys including, James Brown, The Commitments, Blues Brothers and Rock n Roll!

With many years of live performance experience and a strong local following, the Honky Tonks deliver quality and energy in all they do. So, join us for a dance and to enjoy some great songs, including Hit The Road Jack, Kingston Town, One Step Beyond, Johnny be Goode, Knock on Wood and Twisting the Night Away..

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PRESS COVERAGE FROM THE JOURNAL

It may have taken several years, lots of negotiations and a great deal of patience, but Mardons Social Club have officially opened their brand-new building.

The new building is now found on the Nightingale Estate, opposite Norton Hill School, follow Nightingale Way until the new part of the development. On the left-hand side, there is a green public area and beyond that is the Social Club. The club car park is accessed via Mardons Close.

Although essentially a members' club, visitors are encouraged. Membership currently stands at £5 per year, which is easily recovered as members receive considerable discounts on bar prices.

The purpose-built Club has been fully furnished and fitted out by the committee at considerable expense and features lounge-style seating, new tables and chairs and a much-improved, dual-sided bar. There is a quiet outside area at the rear of the building, with picnic tables and bench seating, with a barbecue for occasional use.

The club's new, dedicated pool room means the table no longer needs to be moved around and can be maintained in great condition. With multiple TVs and a brand-new HD projector and big screen, the club will once again be a leading venue for showing major sporting events. With the skittles season starting soon and six skittle teams playing home games at Mardons, plus a darts team in the league and potential for more, the club looks set be a hive of activity in the future.

Entertainment at Mardons has always been of the highest standard and that will remain the case in the new building. Some of the area's leading bands perform at the club, many of whom don't generally play public venues. Variety and a constant stream of new bands asking for bookings keep things fresh and interesting for visitors and staff.

Forthcoming entertainment for August includes a charity night for the RUH Cancer Care Campaign, which will feature the outstanding five-piece band, Tundra, with support disco from Geoff Urch, a Ska Night with the excellent Train To Skaville and even a night with the Harlem Rhythm Cats, who will introduce Mardons to some boogie woogie and blues from the 40s and 50s.

Although it's a fresh start for the club, the committee is determined to maintain their policy of zero tolerance towards such things as drugs and drunken/anti-social behaviour etc. and are proud to be part of the local Pub Watch scheme. Having operated successfully as a family club for well over thirty years, the club will remain a safe, trouble-free environment.

Children are welcome as long as they are with an adult and supervised at all times - parents are reminded that children are not permitted on the dance floor when bands are performing, unless accompanied.

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THE OFFICIAL OPENING NIGHT - SATURDAY, 11th JULY

Five-piece, Cable Co, will be playing a special night for us on Saturday, 11th July as we celebrate our Official Opening of the brand new building.

With over 15 years experience, Glastonbury's covers band Cable Co offer a night of great vocal harmonies and incredible multi-instrumentation. They say they are a genuine rock band, an antidote to the Xfactor generation! With a terrific range of guitar, keyboard and sax driven rock and pop, they play songs from an eclectic mix of artists, including Bruno Mars, Bon Jovi, Coldplay, Killers, Prince, Duran Duran, Van Halen, Bryan Adams, U2, Robbie Williams, Beatles and many more.

Come along for the very first band night in our new venue, which is now found in Mardons Close on the Nightingale Estate, Norton Hill. Entry is totally free and everyone is welcome - music kicks off at 9 p.m.
There's lots more great entertainment coming too!

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A BRAND NEW CLUB - the same responsible club policy

We have operated successfully as a family club for well over thirty years and have a Policy which has served us well over these years. This has resulted in our reputation for being a safe, trouble-free environment in which to enjoy a social afternoon and/or evening with friends and family.

If you visit the club or indeed join as a member, please be mindful, our Policy is one of zero tolerance towards such things as drugs, drunken/anti-social/threatening behaviour, bad language, unacceptable clothing, violence, lack of control/supervision of children etc.

We will continue with this Policy in our new club and membership will be strictly on the acceptance of these terms. In the interests of the vast majority of our membership, anyone falling foul of our Policy above will have their membership withdrawn and will be excluded from the club.

We are sure our members will continue to support our Policy -Thank you.

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FINALLY!!!

We have at last achieved our objective and have now moved into our new replacement Mardons Sports and Social Club

Although there were, and still are a few things left to complete nevertheless we were delighted to see so many new friendly faces at our deliberately low key opening. There are still a few issues to resolve, including unauthorised parking, but we will resolve this in conjunction with our Management Company. A towaway scheme has been proposed and we are looking into this.

As well as from the Community itself, we are extremely grateful for the local press support we have received in getting us this far. In addition our gratitude extends to the political support we have received in getting us the new Club. This includes our previous MP, Dan Norris, our current MP, Jacob Rees-Mogg, the late Councillor Chris Cray, Councillor Rob Appleyard, Councillor Robin Moss and laterally, since her recent appointment, Councillor Eleanor Jackson.

We hope our members will contribute to and enhance our reputation as a safe, family-centred venue for the community. We will have no hesitation in excluding people who threaten this reputation in any way. Our strict zero tolerance policy is spelt out on our Website, Facebook page and on New/ Renewal of Membership. This should ensure we continue to receive plaudits from the Police, Banes Council, our Membership and our neighbours for the way we are managed and on how we contribute to the Community, including raising many thousands of pounds for the various charities we support.

Our President Mr Bert Jones and our Chairman, Mr Bernie Pearce, will officially open the club on Saturday July 11 at 8pm., and live band Cable Co will be providing the entertainment from 9 p.m. Please come along and see what our new club has to offer.

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THE LAST BIG BASH! - UPDATE ... A little less rock N roll, but a whole lot more PARTY!.

In a change to the previously advertised Rock N Roll Party with The Demoniacs, we would like to annouce that the last big bash will now be headlined by the much sought after Bristol based covers band The Stiff Upper Lips.

Regretfully The Demoniacs had to withdraw fro the evening following one of their band members being called abroad urgently. They tried over 20 replacements but just couldn't find anyone at such short notice. We'd like to thank them for trying so hard and hope to see them playing in the new club in the future.

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NEW CLUB OPENING DATE ANNOUNCED

It's been a long time coming and it has been a huge struggle to get here, but we are pleased to announce that the brand new social club at Mardons Close is near completion. We will be transferring over to the new club on Friday, 3rd July, with a low key opening. The club will then be open as normal for regular use with an official opening night party on Saturday, 11th July, with the fantastic Glastonbury based band, Cable Co.

Thank you for all of your patience and understanding over the past years. Despite adversity, the club has continued to move forward successfully and improve during that time and so we are very pleased to be looking at an even brighter new future ahead of us in the newly built and furnished club.

Thank you to the committee members who continue to give up their time and energy and special thanks to Bernie and Bill who have worked tirelessly to get the best outcome for the club and its valued members.

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THE LAST BIG BASH! ... Celebrating the end of an era.

It's the last big bash at the current Mardons Social Club on Saturday, 27th June and it's going to be a really Special Rock 'N' Roll Party Night.

The final band to play the old club will be The Demoniacs, an exciting get up and dance band covering all sorts of Rock and Roll, Rockabilly and Rhythm and Blues tunes. With a bass, drums, guitar, sax and vocal line up, The Demoniacs cover greats from the likes of Elvis, Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry, Stray Cats, Eddie Cochran and a few slightly more obscure 50s tunes. This band promises a great night out with lots of excitingly presented old classics to get you dancing. So get your quiff gelled up, your brothel creepers on and those petticoats ready for a party. You won’t be able to keep your feet still!

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CLUB ACCESS UPDATE

Unfortunately, the current access road via Lynton Road / Hazel Terrace to the existing Mardons Social Club will close from Thursday, 11th June onwards.

This is totally beyond the control of the social club itself and attempts to maintain that access for the few weeks left before the move have been unsuccessful.

From Thursday onwards, the new entrance will be via Nightingale Estate and through the new Linden Homes development. See our How To Find Us page for a map. There is extremely limited parking and we apologise for any inconvenience, especially to our fundraising patrons.

This should only be for a matter of weeks, but this new access will remain until the new social club opens in July. Once again, we apologise for any difficulty this causes.

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CLUB UPDATE

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MUSIC AND LAUGHTER WITH BIG MAMA AND THE MISFITZ

Big Mama and the Misfitz visit us on Saturday, 30th May, following a recommendation from a member, who after seeing them play has been singing their praises.

Claire (Big Mama) Perry, is a professional singer who has been doing the circuit for the past 20 years. As one half of the female comedy duo The Mocking Birds she has performed all over the country, with various television and radio appearances, as well as summer seasons in Europe. Backed by Drummer, Taffy, Biff on Bass and Watney on lead guitar, the band come with an impressive pedigree. Individually, their backgrounds are in a number of bands, covering multiple genres and styles, rhythm and blues experience gained in Blues De Ville, country/dance in The Pigs Ear Band as well as entertaining audiences all over the globe in the professional comedy band Mechanical Horse-trough.

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QUIZ NIGHT FOR RUH CANCER CARE CAMPAIGN

Mardons Social Club of Midsomer Norton are holding another Ted's Big Quiz Night (named after the RUH's Forever Friends 'Ted's Big Day Out' event) on Friday, 15th May. Teams consist of 4-6 people and entry charge is £2.50 per person, teams are asked to arrive at 7.30pm for an 8 pm prompt start. Host for the night will be Glyn Young, who always delivers an excellent quiz with a variety of great questions that require both knowledge and a little guess work!

The club is once again backing the fundraising efforts for the Royal United Hospital Cancer Care Centre. The RUH, like many local hospitals, is working with pre-fabricated buildings dating back from the 1940s, which were never meant to last, but are still standing. Much has been done to keep these building shells in good condition, but with demand never higher, these facilities drastically need to change.

The new Cancer Centre would create a positive environment for holistic healing. It will be better lit, with a choice of waiting seating (currently there is limited seating and not enough consultation rooms). Inpatient rooms will be on the top floor and overlook the countryside, with specific provision for teenagers and young adults, and room for relatives to stay overnight. It will provide a flexible space for patients and doctors and it is hoped that, like the NICU, it will have a positive result on recovery for patients.

Last year the social club was absolutely packed with teams testing their knowledge, enjoying a fun night out and more importantly, raising a lot of money for the cause. We were blown away by the local support and we really hope this year's quiz is equally well attended. Teams can be entered by email to socialclubinfo@googlemail.com or by filling out an entry form at the club.

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CALL THE SHOTS AT MARDONS

Music starts at 9 p.m. and as usual non members are more than welcome, plus there's a drinks promotion in honour of their visit, three (selected) shots for £5!

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LOCAL BAND, SKIFFILIS, FIND THEIR WAY TO MARDONS

On Saturday, 25th April, local band Skiffilis bring their unique style of music to Mardons. Skiffilis formed in 2009 when a few friends decided to try building and playing home-made and simple acoustic instruments after finding a tea chest in a skip and transforming it into a fabulous sounding double bass! Ukuleles, harmonicas and percussion were added and they soon began playing 'Geurilla skiffle' gigs - a term coined by the band, meaning they show up at your pub unannounced and play for a while.

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FIRST AID AND FIRE SAFETY COURSES AT MARDONS

Emergency First Aid at Work Course This Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 approved course applies to all workplaces including those with less than five employees and to the self-employed. This one day course is open to the public and businesses looking to qualify individuals in first aid. Candidates will receive a 3 year certificate on completion. Open Course Date: Thursday 23rd April 2015, 0900 to 1600 £60pp Refreshments provided Fire Safety-Marshal Course The course teaches basic fire safety awareness as it applies to the workplace. And the duties of the fire marshal. Explaining the fire risk assessment and fire log book requirements under the Regulatory Reform Order (2005) for all businesses large and small. This 3 hour course is open to the public and businesses looking to qualify individuals in fire safety and fire marshal duties. Candidates will receive a certificate on completion. Open Course Date: Monday, 27th April 2015. 0930 to 1230 £40pp Refreshments provided Check the website for full details and details of future courses. Terms and conditions apply. www.practicalfirstaidtraining.co.uk info@practicalfirstaidtrainig.co.uk 07545 568255 or 01761 414418

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RETRO ELECTRO TAKE US BACK TO THE 80s (Saturday, 21st March)

We will step back in time on Saturday, 21st March, with 80s feelgood, synth-pop party experience, Retro Electro. These five extremely experienced and talented musicians are passionate about what they play, transporting you back in time to the colourful 1980s. Expect all the favourites, Depeche Mode, ABC, Simple Minds, Soft Cell, Human League, Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran, Kraftwerk, Tears for Fears and many more. They say: Remember the 80s? We do! We deliver a great stage show, 80s style lighting, authentic stage outfits and we guarantee to play completely live, covering all the great artists from a superb decade. Retro Electro have high standards, vast performing experience, exciting staging and have entertained at top venues, army bases and recently at The Grand Pier, Weston.

Having played the renowned Butlins Utimate 80s Weekend, with a line-up of Jason Donovan, Hazel O'Connor, Imagination and other iconic names, they have defined themselves as one of the finest and most authentic 80s tribute bands.

We are very aware of the popularity of the 80s and we wanted to ensure we offer the best experience possible for our guests, securing Retro Electro does just that. We are extremely excited by this, their first visit of the year, and we hope our guests will embrace the spirit of the decade and dress to impress!

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VINTAGE SKA AND ROCKSTEADY COMES TO MARDONS

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SPECIAL DOUBLE HEADER (Saturday, 31st January)

It's a special "Double Header" on Saturday 31st January, at Mardons Social Club, of Midsomer Norton. The Bad Detectives and Magic Tractor are the epitome of all that's great about the Frome music scene.

The Bad Detectives unique and infectious rock n roll and rockabilly style is both catchy and quirky. With the finest musicians and some of the best musical hooks, you can't fail to acknowledge their talent. Their original songs, such as Demob Suit and The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms are cleverly written and instant favourites, guaranteed foot tappers or dance along tunes.

Magic Tractor' play sixties songs ... but not the obvious ones! Stepping away from the expected they search out the sometimes overlooked, but brilliant rarities. The authentic 60s mod, garage, soul, psych and bubblegum covers band reintroduce brilliant songs like Indian Giver, Fee Fi Fo Fum and I Can Hear The Grass Grow. Anyone familiar with their full length album Field Recordings Volume 1, will know just how good they are.

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LIMITED EDITION ... A RARE CHANCE TO CATCH THIS GREAT BAND (Saturday, 24th January)

On Saturday, 24th January, one of Bristol's most sought after covers bands, 'Limited Edition' make their debut at Mardons, and we are really lookiing forward to it. Limited Edition say: Our backgrounds are in musical theatre, rock, metal, 80s pop and funk. The combination of all these styles makes us exceptionally versatile. Our songs are played with both power and passion, and we love nothing more than gigging, it's where we truly shine. We believe in having a great sound system, so you can make out the lyrics and our instruments sound good. We invest a ton of money into our equipment ... have a look out for the bassist's gear on the night ... it's pretty special!

The five-piece, female fronted band play around 40 weddings and corporate events each year (that's more than most touring bands!). In the past they have been booked and played for big names like Michael Eavis, British Gas, Johnson and Johnson and even Noel Edmonds! However, they rarely play pubs and clubs, so this is a great chance to catch them, and a real coup for Mardons.

Entry is totally free and everyone is welcome to go along for this special night, music starts at 9 p.m.

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CHARITY NIGHT FOR DEMENTIA AWARENESS, FRIDAY, 16th JANUARY

On Friday, 16th January, The Mikecast and Somervalley FM present a very special charity night at Mardons Social Club of Midsomer Norton. A stunning line up of musicians come together for one night only to
raise funds for Dementia Awareness.

With so many people now being affected by or suffering from dementia, organiser, Mike Mihalas, hopes this will not only be a night of exceptional music, but also raise funds and understanding of it, so please show your support.

Much-respected AC/DC tribute band, AD/HD from Bristol, play energetic and highly authentic covers. Fans of the original band will be delighted by this high voltage rock and roll from the Bon Scott era.
Rising young musician, Jake Hassell, will travel all the way from London to add his considerable talent to the line-up and perform a short set.

As if that wasn't enough Bath five-piece, Middle Stump Band, will be on hand to crank up th party atmosphere and get everyone singing and dancing. Expect all the favourites, The Beatles, The Killers, Kings of Leon, Neil Diamond, The Rolling Stones and many more.

Tickets are on sale from Mardons Social Club, priced at 5 pounds or from organiser Mike on 07926 888742. Don't forget, there will be hot food on offer too. Homemade Beef Burger, Slow Roast Pork Rolls with Apple Sauce and Stuffing, Homemade Chicken Madras Curry and Veggie Burgers!

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DEMENTIA AWARENESS

It is predicted there will be around 850,000 people in the UK with dementia in 2015. It mainly affects people over the age of 65 (one in 14 people in this age group have dementia), and the likelihood of developing dementia increases significantly with age. However, it can affect younger people: there are more than 40,000 people in the UK under 65 with dementia. Dementia can affect men and women.

Dementia is an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person's ability to perform everyday activities.
Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases. But there are many other conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia, including some that are reversible.

Many dementias are progressive, meaning symptoms start out slowly and gradually get worse. If you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don't ignore them. See a doctor soon to determine the cause. Professional evaluation may detect a treatable condition.

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OH WHAT A NIGHT!!!

Those of you (and there were lots) who came to see Upfront & Casual were certainly rewarded with a brilliant night. A capacity crowd turned out to see the young lads with spectacular voices. Thanks to the lads and to everyone that joined us ... they will be back!

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UPFRONT & CASUAL

These four young lads pack a punch, mixing the sounds of the Jersey Boys and all the classics with some modern favourites. They bring the smoothest vocal harmonies and the coolest covers from the likes of the Overtones, Frankie Valli and The Drifters along with the modern songs given a retro twist as demonstrated by The Baseballs. With covers of Ed Sheeran's 'Thinking Out Loud' and Pharrell Williams' 'Happy' they cover just about all the bases.

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THE BIG FREEZE CHRISTMAS PARTY

It's 'The Big Freeze Christmas Party' at Mardons Sociał Club, on Saturday, 20th December. Freeze are a fresh, modern band that play covers spanning many decades and genres.
With an impressive six-piece line up, including male and female vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, drums and percussion, they are able to cover a huge range of songs with a very authentic sound!

Fans of the band will be sad to hear that this is the last time they'll see Jen as part of Freeze, so we hope to give her a great final night and wish her well for the future.

Freeze have a punchy, live band sound and are one of the areas most respected function bands, they are a firm favourite with everyone at Mardons and with the added festive cheers and free entry, it should be a cracker!

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FESTIVE FUN AT MARDONS

We are pleased to invite the local community to our, now infamous, 'Kids Christmas Party' on Christmas Eve afternoon.
Over the past few years the event has grown and is now enjoyed by the whole family and not just the younger members, entry is free to all, but parents and guardians must remain on the premises at all times.
Superb organisation and madcap hijinks, will mean that children will be entertained whilst you recover at the bar, from the trials and tribulations of the festive season. The organisers, who all give their time voluntarily, will be providing fun, games and general mayhem, plus there will be a very special guest appearance from Father Christmas!
The event begins at around 1 p.m., so, if you've finished your shopping and wrapped your presents, why not take the youngsters along.

This is just part of a whole host of festivities being held at Mardons this year. There's also a night of Christmas songs and songs from the shows on Friday,19th December, where local drama group Exit Stage Left will perform. The following night, Saturday, 20th is 'The Big Freeze Christmas Party' and with such a superb 6-piece band, its set to be a brilliant night, both nights are free entry.

Tickets are still on sale, from the bar, for what promises to be a spectacular New Years Eve party, with Bristol band Tundra. This will be the last Christmas season in our old club house, so we are pulling out all the stops to make it a memorable one, before our move in early 2015. On behalf of Social Club, thank you and a Merry Christmas to you all!

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IRISH NIGHT ...THE CEILI ARE BACK!!!

We are delighted to announce that we will be enjoying another great Irish Night on Saturday, 6th December. Traditional Irish band, 'The Ceili' (pronounced Kay-Lee), gave us such a fun night earlier in the year and had us all singing and dancing.

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DEBUT FOR ABOUT A GIRL

About A Girl make their debut at Mardons, on Saturday 29th November. The five-piece, female fronted band, offer a broad spectrum of music, favourites that cross the age divide and cater for all tastes.

With a tight, lively sound, About A Girl promise to keep audiences entertained from the first note to the last. Covers include Pink's Who Knew, Blondie's Maria and a rousing version of Don't Stop by Fleetwood Mac.
Entry is free, music starts at 9 p.m. and as always, everyone is welcome

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CALL THE SHOTS & DRINKS PROMOTION!

Call The Shots roll back into Mardons Social Club of Midsomer Norton on Saturday, 8th November after a very successful debut earlier in the year.
Forming just over 4 years ago, they were originally an out and out classic rock band. However, over time, the band has evolved and come to recognise that they enjoy themselves most when their audience is up
and dancing. The current set list reflects their diversity, packed full of classics and favourites. With experience of 100+ gigs as a band {more than that individually they have a substantial back catalogue of songs to choose from, originals, classic rock, modern rock, fun songs as well as some great old-school rock n roll.

They say: Our aim is to give the audience a good night and to get them up dancing as the night evolves, we always give 110% at every show we do.

We also have a drinks promotion running on the night, .enjoy 3 shots for just £5 (selected shots only).

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BAR STAFF WANTED!

BAR STAFF WANTED ... Previous experience required. must be reliable and flexible, to take on fixed and various evening / weekend day and evening shifts. Good rates of pay. Please ring 07751 959522 for further details or to discuss shift times etc.

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This year at Mardons we will be celebrating Christmas and seeing in the New Year with two of our top bands and once again staging the ultimate Boxing Day Party. Please read on, to find out about ticket prices and when you can buy them...

This year, we aren't having a ticketed night on Christmas Eve, instead we are pleased to announce that one of our favourite bands will be joining us for a spectacular Chritmas Party Night on Saturday, 20th December. It's free entry to all and it promises to be quite a night!

Boxing Day will be our afternoon disco, Sound City will be entertaining us and no doubt there will be something to help keep the kids entertained. Adult tickets are £7, or just £5 per each membership card you present. Kids tickets are £2.

On New Year's Eve, we are really excited to have Tundra joining us. They never fail to entertain and have become one of our most requested bands. With lively, talented musicians, and a set list that will keep all ages happy, we expect this to be one of the best New Years Eve parties we've ever had. Tickets are £12, or £10 per each membership card you present.

Tickets go on sale to MEMBERS ONLY from 8 p.m. on Saturday, 8th November until Thursday, 20th November, only available from the Social Club. Members must provide one membership card for each ticket. ie. If you want four tickets for New Year’s Eve, you will need to provide four individual membership cards ... each member is allowed only one ticket.
From Friday, 21st November onwards, should there be any remaining tickets, they will go on general sale and be available to everyone ... If you are a member, dont miss out!

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THE SOCIAL ... ACOUSTIC FIRST SET THEN POP/ROCK PARTY SECOND HALF!

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BIG BAND NIGHT RETURNS ... MIDROD ENDS ARE BACK!

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DUKE BOX ... BACK TO MARDONS!

After a successful first visit at the start of the year, with a stand-in singer due to illness, Duke Box are back to full strength and return to Mardons Social Club of Midsomer Norton on Saturday, 11th October.

This exciting covers band have been clocking up many gigs and honing their skills at a variety of venues. They say, "We just play all the good stuff you want to hear", and with a set list that's both exciting and impressive, their music comes with a twist of Rock, Soul, Country and Jazz. Covering the like of ZZ Top, Bryan Adams, Bob Marley, The Zutons, The Jam and many, many more, there's certainly enough to please all ages and all tastes!

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SING! ... NEW KARAOKE AND OPEN MIC NIGHT Open Mic nights are an opportunity to hone your talents and begin to build up a presence in the local area. But, remember, this night is also a karaoke, it's meant to be easy-going and relaxed, so, expect fans of both and an audience that hopefully should be open minded and keen to entertained. Local DJ and host Geoff Urch will be on hand to conduct proceedings and no doubt sing a few songs too, so join us on Friday, 10th October. You may not get a huge audience, but it's a chance to interact with people and get used to being watched by a crowd if you're not used to gigging. Bring friends and family for some added moral support or come on your own if you're a closet crooner. Use the night as a means to practice, develop your performance live, and present your music. So whether you come along to sing your own song or just to sing a cheesy cover ... have fun!

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BULLET TRAIN, ARRIVING AT MARDONS!

On Saturday, 27th September, we will be joined by yet another brand new band. Bullet Train is a professional functions band made up of five highly experienced individuals from different musical backgrounds. Each member bringing their own sound to the group. Together they make up an incredibly flexible and diverse live act, playing music that spans over half a century. With stunning vocals from both Charmaine and Dan, and a vast repertoire that will appeal to all, expect a tight, well polished performance from the lively and talented Bullet Train.

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TUNDRA , If you see one band, make it this one!

Revellers will be very happy when favourites, Tundra, return to Mardons, on Saturday, 13th September. The Bristol-based 5-piece, play a musical mix of modern dance hits, rock and roll, pop classics, rock and many other genres. Tundra’s mass popularity is undoubtedly down to their intoxicating mix of carefully-chosen decade-spanning music, perfectly executed by very talented musicians. Lead vocalist and occasional sax player, Mark, is quite exceptional, he not only has one of the best vocals around, but his likeable, easy-going nature endears him to any crowd.

Tundra say: "We play music that inspirers you to have a great time, sounds you can sing and dance to!".

Performing covers ranging from The Beatles, Queen and Madness, right up the The Kings of Leon and Olly Murs, they certainly offer something for all ages. So, it's easy to see why Tundra have become one of the most popular groups at Mardons, so much so, that we are proud to have booked them for this New Year's Eve.

We can honestly say this is one of our finest band, they are genuinely spectacular and they always get people dancing. If you plan to see one band, then you couldn't ask for a better one this weekend, and yet again entry will be free!

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BREW RETURN

BREW return on Saturday, 6th September. The four-piece Somerset and Bristol-based band play classic rock n roll with a driving, upbeat vibe. They evoke the good-time feelings of the golden era of the 50s, through the swinging 60s and into the early 70s. They say: "We play LIVE rock and roll music with genuine passion, whether it's for dancing or just for simple listening entertainment." The compelling beats of a BREW performance are sure to bring the memories flooding back and get the feet tapping, music kicks off at 9 p.m. so come along for a great night out.

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SOLO ARTIST, TOBY, MAKES AN IMPACT!

Creating an atmosphere in our large room is tough and doing it alone is never easy, but Toby's humble and likeable nature ... and his superb voice, soon won over the audience. The first half set was full of classic swing tunes, all of which were well recieved. His casual, laid back style suited the songs well.

The second half saw a mix of the classics alongside modern rock tracks in swing style. People were drawn to the dancefloor and spirits were high. By the end of the night, the atmosphere was brilliant, with unending calls for more ... Toby obliged ... it was midnight before the night came to a close.

... Thanks to Toby and everyone that came along to make the night a success!

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TOBY MARSH SWINGS INTO MARDONS

Toby Marsh joins us on Saturday, 30th August from 9 p.m. and promises a night of big band swing-style music, like never before'.

Local lad, Toby is just 24, but has embraced the swing music style of the 50s and 60s. His performance not only pays tribute to the stars of yesteryear, Sinatra, Monroe and Bennett, but it also takes in modern classics from the likes of Harry Connick Jr, Michael Buble and Robbie Williams. Pushing the boundaries, he also takes recent pop/rock songs and gives them a classic 'swing style' makeover, so expect just about everything, including Van Halen, The Killers and Oasis.

Having been singing since the age of 14, Toby has gained experience from performing in clubs, pubs and hotels through to headlining the Midsomer Norton Mardi Gras. He's played to a sell out crowd at the Memorial Theatre, in Frome, with the 'Phil Dando Big Band' and recently raised over £1,000 at his own charity event in Bath.

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GROWLER & BBQ @ MARDONS

Growler arrive for a highly anticipated night at Mardons Social Club, Midsomer Norton, on Saturday, 23rd August, Plus Kev will be cooking up a storm on the barbecue. The five-piece have only performed a few public gigs, but there is a wealth of experience amongst them.

Frontman, Nev Rhymer, and two fellow bandmates John Hughes & Rob Clements were previously playing together in another group, but, they all come with an impressive pedigree, having been in some of the areas best bands. With a collection of all the greatest classic rock anthems and lively pop/rock tunes, there will be plenty of opportunity to dance along to this impressive gang.

We have been very eager to get Growler to play at Mardons and we’ve been biding our time until they felt ready to take our booking. Nev is the definitive frontman and with backing from Joe Derrick, Dunc Clark, Johnny Hughes and Rob Clements, who are all top of their game, we know we are in for a treat. The band will kick off at 9 p.m., entry is free and the barbecue will be sizzling. We’d welcome anyone that wants to come and enjoy a great night out.

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A MARDONS EXCLUSIVE ... THE BITTERSWEETS

The Bittersweets, five electrifying young women with big voices, will be bringing a little style to Mardons on Saturday, 16th August.

The stunning young ladies not only entertain with beautiful vocal arrangements and signature dance moves, but they are backed by a sensational live four-piece band (the stage will be full again!).

With a set list to suit a wide range of tastes and covering music from the 50s to present day, they faithfully reproduce classic hits like, Why Do Fools Fall In Love? and I Will Always Love You, right through to tracks by artists such as Jessie J and Emilie Sande. All the songs come with lively fresh arrangements and their own Bittersweets twist. It's their aim to fill the dance floor from the very start of the night, and keep people dancing until the last song.

... We have been very lucky to secure The Bittersweets for an exclusive performance at Mardons. Although some of the girls and band are local, they don't perform around this area, so it's a great chance to see this talented group of people. We are used to hearing great music at Mardons, but The Bittersweets will be putting on an impressive all-singing, all-dancing show. Entry is free to all, the music starts at 9 p.m., but get there early!

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THE BAD DETECTIVES - SATURDAY, 9th AUGUST
... If you can sit still when they are playing, you are probably deaf!

Frome's The Bad Detectives began as a bunch of friends who liked music and could just about manage a basic three chord racket. Influences came from the sixties beat boom, pub rock and punk. The group spent many years playing pubs, clubs and parties building up a small local fanbase whilst also having a very good time.

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ROCK AND ROLL BINGO COMES TO MARDONS!

Rock and Roll Bingo has proved to be a lively and popular twist on the traditional game of bingo and has been embraced across the country in pubs, clubs and holiday parks etc. The game is played in the same way as regular bingo, but instead of numbers being called, music clips are played. If the title of the song is listed on your card, just mark it off and once the card is full, just yell 'rock and roll bingo', it couldn't be simpler.

The night is being hosted by Globe Carnival Club, who have adopted Rock and Roll Bingo as one of their fund raisers, in preparation for the November Carnival Season. The carnival club, based at Wells, enter the carnivals every year with massive and spectacular carnival carts and have gained much success over the years with their stunning entries.

We invite everyone to come along and have a fun night out. We hope that the revival of interest in carnivals, the new route and its return to Midsomer Norton High Street, will encourage local supporters to get behind all carnival clubs and support their fund raising efforts. Ears up from 8 pm, all welcome.

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FAKE REPUBLIC COME TO MARDONS, Saturday, 26th July

An expansive choice of songs from all decades, giving all round entertainment and enthusiasm, encouraging the crowd to get up and party. With stunning vocals from lead singer, Tracey, Fake Republic play favourite party hits, rock classics and infectious grooves. Expect everything from Adele to Bill Haley, a dash of Bon Jovi, Pink Floyd and even Dusty Springfield! Their love music shines through in their polished performance. They say: "We love the crowd reaction when we play songs that bring back memories ... you will not be disappointed."

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A LITTLE COUNTRY VIBE FOR MARDONS

Rattlesnake Highway bring rocking country, country rock and Americana to Mardons on Saturday, 19th July.
Formed in 2012, the four seasoned musicians have a shared love for good ol' Country Rock.

You can expect up-beat, up-tempo, good-time music as performed by The Byrds, The Eagles, Emmylou Harris, Tom Petty and many others. Great foot-tapping, feel-good songs featuring sumptuous vocal harmonies and lush acoustic guitar, topped with soaring Rickenbacker electric 12-string or biting Fender Telecaster, backed up by a driving rhythm section, with the occasional dash of Mandolin or Harmonica for good measure.

Come along and enjoy the friendly atmosphere and great music. Entry is free and music starts at 9 p.m.

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CLEANER REQUIRED

10 hours every other week (5days) - good rates of pay - tel: 07886461909 for details.

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PAULTON CONCERT BAND

Paulton Concert Band will be holding a Summer Concert at 8 p.m. on Friday, 11th July,.

The band was formed in 1981 and was first known as The Pink Panthers. Over the years it has evolved, going through a number of name changes to reflect its nature. Its current form sees an enthusiastic group of members with mixed abilities and ages. The music now played is very varied and demanding, helping all players to improve their skills.

For anyone interested in joining the band, practices take place in The Holy Trinity Church, Paulton, Monday evenings. Learner's classes meet from 7.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. and are taught by an experienced player of the same instrument, whilst the main band practices from 7.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.

The band raises all of the running costs. These include the purchasing of instruments, music stands, music, uniforms and the costs of hiring halls for practice etc. Please support the band whenever possible, come along to their concert and share their enjoyment of the music, entrance is and £5 for non members, with free entrance for children and Social club members. We look forward to seeing you there.

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NEW MEMBERSHIP YEAR ... MORE NEW BANDS!

After an all too brief hiatus for the World Cup, Mardons Social Club are pleased to resume their Saturday night entertainment and welcome, new band 'Undercover' on 5th July.
The five-piece, Shepton Mallet based, covers band, formed in 2007 and have been impressing ever since.
The band say, 'We boast a huge variety of music and anyone coming to watch can expect to hear anything from Elvis to AC/DC ... music to please everyone's tastes. We are constantly trying to update our set
list, to keep up with current music trends, we are not afraid to try new things, come and check us out and see what you think!'

We have been keen to get Undercover for some time and we are confident they will appeal across the board. We have a great list of new bands lined up to play over the forthcoming months, with some real treats mixed in too. As we have said on many ocassions, there is a vast array of talent out there and we urge you to come along and try these new groups. You may not be familiar with them, but often they will surprise and amaze you.

On Saturday, 26th July, we will be joined by 'Fake Republic'. Consisting of two guitarists, bass, drums and female vocalist, together with occasional back ground vocals. They cover an expansive choice of songs from all decades, giving all round entertainment and enthusiasm, encouraging the crowd to get up and party. With stunning vocals from lead singer, Tracey, Fake Republic play your favourite party hits, rock classics and infectious grooves. expect everything from Adele to Bill Haley, with a dash of Bon Jovi, Pink Floyd and even Dusty Springfield!
They say, 'We love the crowd reaction when we play songs that bring back memories ... you will not be disappointed.'

August sees an incredible line up planned ... 'The Bad Detectives' are a band not to be missed, they will appeal to just about everyone, if you don't know them, you are in for a treat! 'The Bittersweets', 5 electrifying young women with big voices, will be bringing a little style to Mardons. The ladies will entertain you with beautiful vocal arrangements, signature dance moves and are backed by a 4-piece band (the stage will be full again!). For all of us that mourned the passing of 'Piston Broke' last year, we can delight in the fact that lead singer, Nev, is fronting a new band ... 'Growler' will arrive to rip it up and rock Mardons.

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DISGRUNTLED MEMBERS VOICE CONCERNS OVER LINDEN HOMES

Those members who have been following the club's progress and our future move have expressed their contempt for developer, Linden Homes, this week, in a public letter to The Midsomer Norton and Radstock Journal.
Despite valiant attempts by committee members, Linden Homes have been less than helpful when it comes to easing concerns. They seem to backtracking on promises to the Social Club and indeed on their commitment to B&NES in the form of providing a community building as part of their Section 106 contribution.

Following the letters in the Journal (No. 1737 29th May) and Somerset Guardian (5 June) regarding the attitude of Linden Homes towards the development in Radstock we now understand that they are all of a sudden treating their offering of a Social Club and Nursery not for the Community any more but now as a Commercial Enterprise.

This of course is not as originally promised in their presentations designed to get public support.
They are now proposing to charge many thousands per annum in ground rent, something never raised in any meetings up till now. Indeed we understand that in previous meetings Councillor Appleyard proposed that the building would be run by the Council under a Management Trust for a peppercorn rent and this was never opposed.

In addition the original commitment of such essentials as Air Conditioning, Insulated Cellar, PIR Alarm system and CCTV are now being withdrawn. The Air Conditioning in particular was regarded as an essential due to no opening windows in order to ensure no acoustic leakage to the detriment of the nearby houses. Linden have promised that there will be no impact whatsoever on the surrounding houses.

To cap it all despite requests from everyone involved, including our councillors, Linden say they are not yet able to give any indication of a handover date, nevertheless they are expecting the move to be completed within a two week period.

So with no known moving date the club has to provide professionals to fit out a cellar, make and fit a bar, final fix electrics, move a snooker table, fit a dance floor, fit a skittle alley, fit carpets, order and install furniture – the list goes on.

What are Banes going to do about this? Surely Linden are not going to be allowed to ride roughshod over us and treat us with the disdain that they seem to have done elsewhere!

Very Disgruntled Members

The committee will respond to the members letter in due course.

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MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS - ASK AT THE BAR

It's the time to start renewing your membership to Mardons Social Club. Your membership swipe cards can be updated by the bar staff if you tell them that you wish to renew and pay your five-pound fee.

We have decided yet again that we will keep the membership fee at the same level, just five-pounds, so it's well worth renewing. Remember you won't have to pay the two-pound entry fee on a standard Saturday night and you will continue to receive the discounted membership prices at the bar, as well as getting priority when we sell Christmas, New Year's Eve and special events tickets.

With the move to our new building fast approaching and a potential influx of new people wanting to use our facilities, we have decided that we will be introducing a joining fee in the future. So, if you are a current member and renew soon, you won't incur that charge either!

Current members are being given one months grace after the membership runs out, during that time, you can continue to use the swipe card, but when that period is over, your membership swipe card will become invalid.

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SATURDAY, 14th JUNE - A NIGHT OF TWO HALVES ... Sneakers & World Cup

SNEAKERS will be kicking off the night, earlier than usual, on Saturday, 14th June, in a prelude to the first England match of the World Cup.

SNEAKERS, the well-known, local, rock and roll band, have a loyal following, so we are sure they will be happy to support them and arrive an hour earlier, for a night of dancing. The band will be playing from 8 p.m. until 10.30 p.m., so they are still playing their normal (full) set. THE ENGLAND MATCH will be shown on the Big Screen (we are open til the early hours) and the game will kick off at 11 p.m. We know you all want to cheer on the team, so come along and back the squad ... we are having a late-night BBQ too! Entry will be restricted to MEMBERS ONLY after 10.30 p.m., so please arrive earlier.

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THE CHEATERSLICKS ANNOUNCE BREAK-UP AND LET US DOWN

Unfortunately THE CHEATERSLICKS contacted us to let us know they would not play their booked gig (Saturday, 17th May) - It was a highly-anticipated night and there had been massive interest from everyone keen to see them.

Regrettably we are left with no option but to announce that there will be no entertainment on Saturday, 17th- the very last minute notice from THE CHEATERSLICKS has meant that we are not able to secure a replacement. This hasn't happened to us before, and we hope you can understand the situation we have been left with.

Can we thank all our friends in bands that have tried to help us find something - your suggestions and contacts have been very helpful, but on such a lovely day it's difficult to find a good band that are sat by their phone waiting for a last minute booking.

We sincerely apologise and hope to see you next Saturday (24th) for the Charity Night (when the bands will actually turn up). The club will still be open on Saturday, 17th May.

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TED'S BIG NIGHT OUT – 24TH MAY FOR THE RUH CANCER CARE CENTER After the massive success of Ted's Big Quiz and our fundraising for the RUH Cancer Care Centre, where we raised over £600, we are really excited to be hosting TED's BIG NiGHT OUT. It's a night where great entertainment comes together for the very worthwhile cause. Cancer has affected all of us in one way or another and so we are proud to see this night take shape. We will introduce 'Latin Livre' a group of impressively talented musicians who promise to have you dancing the night away to their smokin' hot mix of funk and soul. Special guest band 'Doghouse' will have you rocking out to classic rock songs from the past four decades. With a support disco to keep the energy levels high, the whole night is destined to be electric. Organiser, Becky Brook, will be drawing her spectacular Grand Prize Raffle on the night. Entry is free to memebers and just £2 to non members, with proceeds going to the charity, we hope to see you there!

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IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG WEEKEND FOR MARDONS

We are preparing for two big events next weekend. Not only is it time for Ted's BIG QUIZ, the club's fun-raising night for the RUH Cancer Care Centre, but it's also Big Band Night too!

Ted's Big Quiz will take place on Friday, 25th April, from 8 p.m., and it looks set to be a great, fun and sociable event. Teams of 4 to 6 are still being accepted and there will be a substantial prize raffle on
the night to help boost funds.

The following night, Saturday, 26th April, it's the very eagerly anticipated Big Band Night. There has been a buzz about the night for some time, so it should be very popular.

The Midrod Ends are a ten-piece band with an excellent reputation in the area, having played numerous impressive events and venues.

We are truly excited to be able to host such a night, it promises to be something very special. We always try to keep things fresh and find new bands to introduce, so when we heard the Midrod Ends, we had to book them. We hope the night is well supported and encourage everyone to come along, just watching the whole band attempt to fit onto our rather small stage should be entertaining! Entry is once again totally free to encourage people along and the music will start at 9 p.m.

Originally formed in 1965 in Street, the current Midrod Ends' line-up came about following a reunion gig in 2011. It has since developed with other members and musicians, including the keyboard player and drummer of The Silhouettes, a rival group from the early days. The band consists of a three-piece brass section, two female singers, a male singer and a rhythm section including keyboard and guitar. All the musicians in the band have a wealth of experience in the music business.

The band say, 'We play a variety of music from the fifties to the current day, including swing, soul, rock, pop and disco, covering artists such as Kool and the Gang, Amy Winehouse and Louis Prima.'

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BUILDING CONTINUES, TAKE A LOOK AT THE CLUB'S FLOOR PLAN

Those of you who have been keeping a close eye on the new club build should have been seeing steady progress. Click here to see the new club's floor plan We are eager to meet with Linden Homes in order to get a sensible project plan established so that we are able to make preparations for the move. Obviously we need to be able to plan ahead and find all the relevant contractors and secure all the fixtures and fittings in order to make the move as seamless as possible.

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ENTER YOUR QUIZ TEAM NOW, FOR OUR BIG QUIZ ON FRIDAY, 25th APRIL

Join us for a very special night at Mardons, on Friday, 25th April, we are holding Ted's Big Quiz and raffle. Those of you who are aware of Ted's Big Day Out and the marvellous events organised by the Forever Friends Appeal, will know that this quiz is to help boost the fundraising efforts of the RUH Space for Cancer Care campaign.

We would love you to come along and join us for a fun, mind boggling night. Just gather a few friends together and come up with a team name (keep it reasonably clean). We want teams of four to six people, but we are pretty flexible. Entry forms are currently available from behind the bar, or just send us an email including your team name, contact name and telephone number and the number in your team. Entry fee is £2.50 per person and we will be awarding prizes for the winning team and the runners up. Arrive at 7.30 p.m. to get a table, get seated and get your paperwork, the quiz will start at 8 p.m. prompt. Your host for the evening will be Glyn Young, his quiz nights are always popular, very well organised and generally great fun, whether you win or come last

This is just one of the many events organised by Becky Brooks, please come along and support her hard work for the RUH Cancer Care campaign - we all know people who have been affected by Cancer!

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MORE NEW BANDS ...

Mardons introduce another new group on Saturday, 12th April, the Dale Fender Band, specialising in the great music of the fifties and sixties.

Dale Fender began his musical journey in the 60's when he was part of the the Beat Makers. After a successful stint in Germany playing all the famous rock and roll clubs, he moved back to the South West.
Through the years he also fronted the Penny Arcade group, but is now heading this very successful function band.

On Saturday, 19th April, we have the pleasure of a visit fromTRASH CASINO. This experienced covers band are a joy to watch and boast one of the best guitarists you'll have seen.

They say, 'We play unusual cover versions, songs that people haven't heard for many years, some that will be completely unexpected and some that most definitely will not have heard a band perform before. A whole mix of covers to cater for all tastes.'

'As well as that we also try and involve the audience as much as possible, so they really feel part of the performance and go home ensuring they have had a great night.'

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EASTER EGG HUNT ... NOW ON!

Helping Becky raise funds for the RUH Cancer Care Centre, we have our Easter Egg Hunt on sale behind the bar. Pay 50p and write your name and telephone number in one of the numbered eggs. A chance to win a LARGE EASTER EGG or the second prize BOTTLE OF WHISKY. It's a good cause so please dig deep!

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MARDONS ARE SUPPORTING BECKY BROOKS AND HER FUNDRAISING EFFORTS

Mardons are once again backing fundraising efforts for another very important local cause, the RUH Cancer Care Centre. Journal Editor, Becky Brooks, will be swapping her office heels for walking boots as she takes on the challenge of a lifetime this September, trekking the Great Wall of China to raise funds for the RUH's new Cancer Centre on behalf of the Forever Friends Appeal. Becky is aiming to raise £3,100 for the cause, having originally been inspired by a press release sent to The Journal by the hospital. 'I opened it up and just couldn't stop thinking about it and what an incredible experience it could be. It is, however, also quite terrifying and I will be going on my own with a group of strangers, but we will have one common goal - to raise money for this pioneering new Cancer Centre, which will have the potential to transform lives of cancer patients locally.'

The RUH, like many local hospitals, is working with pre-fabricated buildings dating back from the 1940s, which were never meant to last, but are still standing. Much has been done to keep these building shells in good condition, but with demand never higher, these facilities drastically need to change.

'Like the new Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit at the hospital, the new Cancer Centre would create a positive environment for holistic healing. It will be better lit, with a choice of waiting seating (currently there is limited seating and not enough consultation rooms). Inpatient rooms will be on the top floor and overlook the countryside, with specific provision for teenagers and young adults, and room for relatives to stay overnight. It will provide a flexible space for patients and doctors and it is hoped that, like the NICU, it will have a positive result on recovery for patients.'

The new Centre will cost £20.5 million to build, with the Appeal now looking to raise £3 million extra, having reached its minimum target of £5 million, thanks to the James Dyson Foundation.

Please be supportive of Becky's efforts and join in with the events we are having at Mardons.

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THE GREAT ENTERTAINMENT KEEPS ON COMING ...

We have had a great start to the year, with the new bands we have been introducing proving to be very popular and indicating your interest in seeing more variation and different bands - don't panic, we will still be seeing some of our favourites return. Hopefully the continued diverse array of music will keep everyone happy - we are sure there will be bands that will surprise and impress you!

We have a number of treats in the months ahead some you will know, some you won't, so come and see for yourself just how good the entertainment can be. TUNDRA will be returning shortly, they are always a revelation and each time they play more of you see them and are won over by their sheer talent.

All the way from South Wales, we are proud to introduce an impressive new band who are firm favourites at social clubs, pubs, corporate events and charity fundraisers throughout the South West and Wales. THE TRUTH are a 5 piece band that come highly recommended and specially requested, they play a hugely diverse set list and know how to work an audience by tailoring it accordingly - come and see just how good they are!

TRASH CASINO are an experienced 4 piece rock and pop covers and originals band hailing from Bristol and North Somerset, with their drummer living locally. We have been keen to get them to the club since they first got in touch late last year. Their members have over 20 years experience and have performed in bands such as Anno Domini, Rockmungus, Stroke the Wilderbeest, Havoc and Cyan. They play lively music, classic rock covers and well known songs to which they add their own unique style, providing a bit of fun and energy. Feedback about them has been great (thanks Mike and Bern).

... there's even more on the horizon - including a very special BIG BAND NIGHT, where a 10 piece band including a 3 piece brass section will stun us with their magnificent sound. Then a ROCKABILLY NIGHT where one of the country's best rockabilly bands with get everyone up to boogie ... you keep attending ... we'll keep them coming!

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NEW CLUB UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

Plans for the new club were on display on Saturday night and it's all go on the building site. Despite an initial move time anticipated for August, the developers have now advised that the date may be in September, blaming the poor weather for their falling behind. With hopefully the worst of the weather behind us and the impressive rate at which they are erecting their homes, the committee are hopeful that they may get back on shedule and would obviously prefer the move to be in the summer period.

The committee is currently making extensive plans for the future of the club. Committee members have been having very encouraging discussions with numerous breweries/suppliers (including our current supplier) all of whom have indicated a keen interest to win the future custom of the club and help with fitting out the new building. With the social club's strong sales history and its year on year growth the committee is ideally placed to secure the best deal possible for the club and all of its members.

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HELP SAVE MARDONS CARNIVAL CLUB

Members of Mardons Carnival Club are urging anyone interested in the November carnivals and indeed Midsomer Norton Carnival, to help them secure a future for their club.
For the past few years, a lack of members has left the carnival club unable to participate in the spectacular November carnivals. Despite this, its dedicated core members have continued to fundraise in
preparation for their return.
The carnival club desperately needs more active members in order to safeguard its future. You don't need to be specially skilled in any one field, it's a team effort and everyone can get involved. Essentially, the club is looking for enthusiastic and positive people, willing to spare whatever time they can offer. Roles can involve cart building, costume making and fund- raising.
Chairman, Steve Rogers, commented: 'We only have a small team at the moment, but we would love to find some new members, old or young, to come and join us.
"We are desperate to continue competing on the circuit and support Midsomer Norton Carnival, especially as of all the clubs to have originated in Midsomer Norton, we are now the only one remaining!"
"We would like to ask anyone out there who is up for a challenge, who wants some fun times and the opportunity to meet new people, to get in touch with us. Being part of a carnival club is a great chance for
people of all ages to come together, it's important for the community and raises lots of money for local charities."
"Many people attend carnivals on wintery November nights and are wowed by the spectacle of the event. But, it's easy to forget that it's a year-long process to bring those carnival carts to life and without support, there may be one less cart in future processions."
Mardons Carnival Club would love to hear from you and Steve would be happy to have a chat with anyone interested in lending a hand. He can be reached on: 07817 994719.

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SATURDAY, 1st FEBRUARY - CALL THE SHOTS WILL HAVE YOU DANCING

Originally an out and out classic rock band, they formed 4 years ago. Over time the band has evolved and come to recognise that they enjoy themselves most when their audience is up and dancing. There's a substantial back catalogue of songs to choose from, originals, classic rock, modern rock, fun songs as well as old-school rock n roll. They say: "Our aim is to give the audience a good night and to get them up dancing as the night evolves, we always give 110% at every show".

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SATURDAY, 25th JANUARY - NEW BAND HAS A ROCKIN' GOOD ROCK N ROLL PEDIGREE!

The Rockin 60s are a five piece band hailing from Yeovil. As they say "The name says it all, we play hits of the sixties (and some from the fifties) and we rock!" Back in the day, the band members played as part of The Jaguars, 'The Cortinas, and The Generation. In their time, they have played alongside bands such as The Hollies. Animals, The Who, The Herd, Nashville Teens and The Move. They have gained a loyal following of fans of the genre and this is their chance to impress at Mardons, so, come along and take to the dance floor for a night of unadulterated Rock n Roll.

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IRISH NIGHT STARTS THE YEAR IN CRACKING STYLE!

The Irish Night held on January, 11th was a roaring success! The excellent night was provided by The Ceili and proved to be hugely popular with everyone. From the very first song the audience was engaged and enthusiastically joined in, clapping and singing along to some great songs. The band demonstrated some extremely impressive skills on all their instruments and their frontman's charm and witty observations were a delight. We thank all our dancers and indeed everyone that came along to join us on the night.

Feedback about our Irish Night has been incredible and demand is high for The Ceili to return! It's great to know that the band themselves enjoyed the night, and they too are happy to return, a member of the band has since been in touch and commented on the 'appreciative crowd and a venue who look after the band'. So let's hope the entertainment continues to impress throughout the year and look forward the The Ceili's return.

ALL SET FOR A STUNNING NEW YEAR'S EVE WITH THE WOODS!

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AN EXCELLENT CHRISTMAS AT MARDONS!

We would like to thank everyone who joined us at Mardons over the Christmas period and hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did.
The Kids Christmas Party was once again a massive success (thank you Liam for your hard work on the bar), Glyn and his willing band of helpers did an amazing job and kept the children in a state of frenzy. A special thank you must go to Santa, who gave up his time in order to drop by and say hello.

Johny's Day Out were awesome as usual - they gave us a real rocking Christmas Eve. The band are always a pleasure to work with and their friends and family certainly made the night - the festive outfits were brilliant, thanks for spending the evening with us!

The Boxing Day Disco remains a highlight of the year, a very busy day for all concerned. Once again the children were entertained early on, before the adults took to the floor to party the afternoon away. Thanks everyone, young and old for making it such a great day.

With New Year's Eve soon upon us we are expecting great things from the brilliant Bristol band The Woods. From their debut with us, people have been asking us to book them for New Year. They are always entertaining and endeavour to give their best on every performance, with some new songs prepared for the night we are really looking forward to ending a good year and welcoming in another great one!

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FUN GAMES AND GENERAL MAYHEM, ITS THAT TIME AGAIN!

Mardons Social Club are pleased to invite the local community to their, now infamous, 'Kids Christmas Party' on Sunday, 22nd December.
Over the past few years the event has grown and is now enjoyed by the whole family and not just the younger members, entry is free to all but parents and guardians must remain on the premises at all times.
Superb organisation and madcap hijinks, will mean that your children will be entertained whilst you recover at the bar, from the trials and tribulations of the festive season. The organisers, who all give their
time voluntarily, will be providing fun, games and general mayhem, plus there will be a special guest appearance from Father Christmas!
The event begins at 12.30 p.m., so, if you've finished your shopping and wrapped your presents, why not bring the youngsters along.
This is just part of a whole host of festivities being held at Mardons this year, why not come along for our 'Christmas Party Night' on Saturday, 21st December with 'Freeze', an amazing covers band, wear
something festive!

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GRAND RAFFLE FOR 'UPS AND DOWNS SOUTHWEST'

Each year, local Chocolates for Chocoholics representative, Penny Wilkinson, selects a charity and organises a fabulous prize raffle in the run up to Christmas. This year's raffle will take place on Saturday, 7th December at Mardons Social Club and will be supporting Ups and Downs Southwest.
Organiser, Penny, says, "When I was asked if I would consider doing a raffle for Ups and Downs, the answer was a definite yes! The organisation offers practical advice and great support to families who have children with Down's syndrome. Not only do they hold many events and do lots of things with the children with Down's, they also make sure any siblings are included.
"Since they were founded in 1997, the charity has grown and now helps over 450 families in the south-west. So you can see why it's so important, any fundraising goes such a long way to help this very worthy cause."
If you would like to see what happens at the charity's days out and events, please go to their Facebook page: Ups and Downs Southwest
Penny adds, "Mardons Social Club have made entry to the night free and open to everyone, they have also booked an exceptional band, Tundra, so it should be a great night. So far, we have more than thirty fantastic prizes, so please come along and support this worthwhile cause and have a brilliant night
of dancing."

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WE SUPPORT LIVE ENTERTAINMENT ... BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP TO DO IT!

There's no doubt that this is a difficult time for live bands, everyday there are pubs, halls and numerous venues closing as more and more people are watching their pennies (and even the X Factor). That means that great bands are struggling to find places to play and venues are struggling to afford to book them.

We endevour to provide regular live entertainment that is high quality, however, to do this, we do need the loyalty of our members and guests. We need regular attendance and support for ALL of the bands that we bring to the club and good attendance levels EVERY WEEK. We appreciate that everyone has differing tastes and that some bands will appeal to some more than others - but all we ask, is that you come along and give bands a chance.

We always try to keep our entertainment fairly middle of the road, we aren't likely to book thrash metal bands or a techno rave outfit, so if you see a band listed that you don't know, come along and see what they are like for yourselves (rumours of what bands are like are often ill-informed). Most of our bands play a good and varied mix of music - even 'classic rock' bands play many rock 'n' roll favourites.

As we are sure you can appreciate, we have to keep moving forward as a club and need to try out new acts - the club cannot remain trapped in its own little bubble, repeating the same bookings if we intend being around for the long term. Only through new bookings do we find incredible bands like 'Freeze' and 'Tundra' - initially, people were wary of them, but they came along to try them ... and what amazing nights they gave us...

So we have some great new bookings coming up, we'd like you to give them the chance to impress you. Some of our occasional visitors ask for more rock n roll bands, so we have been actively seeking them out. 'Blackhearts Inc' will be visiting us soon, they are a rock 'n' roll band that also throw in a little Merseybeat. Early in the new year we will introduce a couple more in the form of 'The Rockin 60s' and the 'Defibrilators' - we hope all the rock 'n' roll fans come along to see them.

We hope to keep introducing new bands of all styles (alongside our established favourites) and to keep our Saturday night entertainment weekly, we will be monitoring things closely, please support us whenever possible - Thank you.

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CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR'S EVE TICKETS - Please read carefully!

Tickets will go on sale to MEMBERS ONLY from 8 p.m. on Friday, 1st November until 22nd November, and will only be available from the Social Club. Members requiring tickets must provide one membership card for each ticket. ie. If you want four tickets for New Year’s Eve, you will need to provide four individual membership cards – each member is allowed only one ticket (membership numbers will be recorded and checked). From 23rd November onwards, should there be any remaining tickets, they will go on general sale and be available to everyone.

Christmas Eve / Johny's Day Out
After giving us such an amazing Christmas Eve three years ago, it was an obvious choice to invite Johny's Day Out to make a very welcome return. This talented local young band have matured into impressive musicians and a very powerful vocalist. They are full of energy and zest for life and play popular rock, pop and rock 'n' roll - this should be a stunning start to the Christmas events:
£3 each (£2 per member when bought with membership card)

SOLD OUT! • Boxing Day / Disco • SOLD OUT!
£7 each adult (£5 per member when bought with membership card)
£3 each child (£2 if bought by a member with a membership card*)

New Year’s Eve / The Woods
Probably the finest rock 'n' roll band in the area, from their first appearance you have requested them for New Year... so here they are!. Delivering all the best rock n roll and classic pop songs, their sound is bright, polished and classy, making great old songs sound fresh and interesting:
£12 each (£10 per member when bought with membership card)

*Members may purchase multiple children’s tickets on production of a current membership card.

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SPOOKY SPECTACULAR AT MARDONS

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LET'S GET QUIZZICAL

In a prelude to our much-anticipated new entertainment season, we are pleased to invite everyone along to our 'free to enter' Quiz Nite on Saturday, 31st August.
Quizzes are always extremely popular events with visitors to the club and none more so than those written and hosted by committee member, Glyn Young.
Glyn aims to keep the quiz atmosphere fun, with a good range of questions to suit everyone ... and some that may inspire some very creative guess work!
The quiz will start at 8 p.m. promt and your teams, of between 4 and 6, can be entered on the night.
So just get a few friends together, come up with your team name (keep it clean) and join in the fun. As always there will be prizes for the winning teams.
See you there!

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SWIPE CARD SYSTEM NOW IN OPERATION!

You will need to hand over your swipe card each time you buy something from the bar in order to get the discounted price. We have been renewing and taking applications since June so most people should already have their cards or they can pick them up from the bar.
Applications / renewals can take about a week to be processed, those who have yet to renew / apply, please be aware that you will be charged full price until your card is ready.

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NEW MEMBERSHIP YEAR STARTS IN JULY WITH A NEW SWIPE CARD SYSTEM!

Membership is due to be renewed now, please read the following information regarding the system:

Please be aware that when you renew your membership or join the club you will be issued with a new, permanent membership card that will be renewed each year. This card will act as your membership discount card and may also be used as access control when we move to our new purpose built club house.

All cards are currently being issued without charge (apart from your standard renewal fee of �5) but please be aware that there will be a charge of �2 for any replacement cards should you happen to lose the card issued to you.

Please also be aware that once our new EPOS system (computerised tills) are up and running you will need to give your card to the bar staff at the start of your round so that they can swipe it to allow you to benefit from reduced members� prices.

Please note that once fully operational the bar staff will not have access to override this and if you do not have your card to be swiped they will have no choice but to charge you the full (non-member) rates.

This system is being introduced to ensure that you as members continue to enjoy prices at the lowest level they can be whilst ensuring the long term future of your club We would like to thank you all in advance for your support on this matter The Committee Mardons Sports & Social Club

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THE TRACKS BAND – MORE FRESH TALENT!

Keeping entertainment fresh, interesting and quality-driven, we are presenting another new band on Saturday, 22nd June.
'The Tracks Band' are a very successful, six-piece covers band from the Street and Wells area.
Formed in 2003, the impressive line-up (Tom – Lead vocals, Bridget – Vocals, sax & part-percussion, Simon – Lead guitar and vocals, Phil – Bass and vocals, Ed – Rhythm guitar and Geoff – Drums) are able to offer a full, rich sound, that should please the most discerning of music lovers.
The band say: 'Starting right back in the 60’s up to the present day, we play covers to suit all tastes ... although, saying that, we do tend to favour 60s and 70s music'.
This hard working band have entertained all ages and played many venues, they have also supported Mike Penders’ 'The Searchers' and the respected tribute band 'Complete Madness'. Entry is free so come along and enjoy their Mardons debut!

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MORE GREAT NEW BANDS COMING TO MARDONS!

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JOIN US TO CELEBRATE THE RETURN OF THE AWESOME 'FREEZE'

Freeze return to Mardons Social Club of Midsomer Norton on Saturday, 18th May, after their stunning debut in December last year. We are all hoping for some better weather and will be having a barbeque on the night too, kindly being provided by 2Rs Carnival club.
Freeze are a fresh, modern band that play covers spanning many decades and genres. With an impressive 7-piece line up, including male and female vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, drums and percussion, they are able to cover a very wide range of songs and make them all sound authentic!
They say: "Forget the ‘cruise ship’ style band or the cheesy wedding bands that look like they would rather be somewhere else, we are an energetic band who enjoy every minute of every song we perform", and they certainly pass on that enthusiasm and energy to the dance floor, they give their audience a night to remember.
Freeze have a punchy, live band sound, making them one of the South West’s most talented and respected function bands and now a firm favourite with everyone at Mardons Social Club.

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CHANGE TO ADVERTISED ENTERTAINMENT – GREAT NEW BAND COMING TO MARDONS!

Due to the cancellation of Straight Shooter, we have a new band coming to the club on Saturday, 11th May. We are very pleased to introduce 'The Gypsy Band'. A classy 5-piece function/party band.
Gypsy are one of the most popular function bands in the South West region. Playing weddings, celebratory parties, corporate dinner-dances etc., they make any night go with a swing. They have a wide repertoire of classic hits that you'll remember from the 60's, 70's and 80's right up to the present day. From Abba to the Black-Eyed Peas, they cover it!
They aim to get everyone up on the dance floor and keep them there, so make sure you come with plenty of energy and show your support for our lastest new band!.

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MARDONS PRESS UPDATE

It’s been a good start to the year at Mardons Social Club, based at Norton Hill, with some impressive performances from a whole host of excellent bands, old and new.
The social club is actively trying to offer a wide variety of music that appeals to a range of tastes. Rock ’n’ roll is still a favourite amongst a lot of the members and bands like ‘The Woods’ and ‘The Covers’ are amongst the best around and are always a big draw.
More recently, there has been proven interest for new bands and some classic rock, with groups like 'Parfanon',‘Piston Broke’ and 'Indie-cision'bringing in lots of new faces and opening up the club to a wider clientele.
Regular members, who may not have expected it to be ‘their thing’, have often found the energy and enthusiasm these bands have for their music to be infectious, so the club urges everyone to go along and try bands that they may not have seen before.
The Social Club Committee would like to take the opportunity to congratulate ‘Piston Broke’ and everyone who organised the recent charity night at Mardons – it was a complete sell-out and an all-round success – not to mention a hell of a night!
Saturday, 13th April brings the impressive ‘Shazam’ who last performed at the club on Christmas Eve. Then, on Saturday, 27th April, the club will welcome back ‘Sneakers’ after a long absence. Expectations are high and its likely to be a busy night for lovers of good, old-fashioned dance music.
With further nights planned with incredible local bands like ‘Straight Shooter’ and the insanely talented and ultra-popular ‘Freeze’, the social club really is pulling out all the stops and offering the best entertainment around.
Look out for all the future entertainment, it’s always on the club website: www.socialclub-info.co.uk
Cash bingo continues weekly on Sunday evenings at 8 p.m. and organisers are always keen to see new faces go along for an hour or so, for a drink and a few fun and friendly games.
After a period of concern over the car park situation for the club, the committee is now pleased to announce that guests can enjoy better access and a new car park. Vehicle access to the club is now found via Hazel Terrace or Lynton Road, just follow the new lane to the end. The committee do request that guests show their neighbours the utmost respect at all times by leaving quietly. The existing pedestrian access remains, just off the Old Pitt Road (Sun Chemical’s lane).
You don’t have to be a member to visit the club, everyone’s welcome, but if you attend regularly, then it’s beneficial to apply for membership and receive discounts.

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VERY IMPORTANT – NEW ACCESS TO CLUB  

At very short notice we have been informed that the new access to the Social Club will become active as of Thursday, 14th March. Please note, you will no longer be able to reach the Social Club by vehicle through the Nightiungale Estate. Our Location page has been updated with a new map and directions.

VEHICLE AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS:

• From the main road through Westfield, The Fosse Way (A367) turn into Hazel Terrace, about three quarters of the way along, turn right into the road leading to the car park.

• From Charlton Road turn into Lynton Road, proceed to the end and turn into Hazel terrace, about a quarter of the way along turn left into the road leading to the car park.

PEDESTRIAN ACCESS ONLY:

• There is also access to the club through a back gate off the Old Pit Road (generally known as Coate's Road) which can be accessed from the main A367 Fosse Way or by Longfellow Road via Keats Road.

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CHARITY NIGHT IN AID OF DOROTHY HOUSE 

We are pleased to announce that the incredible Piston Broke will be performing at a Charity night in aid of Dorothy House Hospice Care. The event is on Saturday, 23rd March and tickets are on sale from the Social Club Bar, priced at £5 each. It's a worthy cause and an amazing band, so grab a ticket and come along for top night!

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CAR PARK SAFETY – FURTHER UPDATE

We were informed that the lighting was not working as promised at the weekend due to the impending Barratt road works, however we are told that the lights are going to be moved to the wall side of the car park on Wednesday (6th Feb) this week.
We have also raised the issue of the mud and Linden Homes will look into finding a solution to this also.

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CAR PARK SAFETY – UPDATE

As promised, the serious matter of safety concerns over our car parking situation has been raised with the developer (Linden Homes).
As a result we have received the following:
"..the lighting will be re-wired and working by Friday night. The ground worker has also been instructed to clear the tiles from the car park. This should improve the situation in the short term while we organise the alternative parking."
We hope this will at least address some of your fears and make your visits safer until better parking is in place, but please continue to take care when using the existing car park.
This Saturday (2nd Feb) we have entertainment from the very impressive 5 piece band The Woods, we hape to see you there.

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CAR PARK CONCERNS – Please take care when crossing the car park

To the many members and visitors who have complained regarding the health and safety concerns over the car park and the associated lack of lighting, please be assured these are being addressed.
Before xmas the matter was raised in writing to the developers. Subsequently, a meeting was arranged for Wednesday last (23rd) but due to the predicted bad weather the developers postponed the meeting to this Wednesday (30th).
We will post an update here and on our Facebook page after the meeting.
In the meantime thank you for your patience and please take care.

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MARDONS - CLOSED TUESDAY 22nd JANUARY

Once again, due to severe weather warnings, we have made the decision not to open on Tuesday 22nd January. Snooker/Billiards has been cancelled.

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NO ENTERTAINMENT and CLOSED AFTER 7 p.m. SATURDAY 19th JANUARY

With the issue of the bad weather and potential injuries due to the slippery conditions we have decided that we will close at 7 p.m. on Saturday 19th January - Obviously there will be no entertainment – We will re-book Brew as soon as possible. Please take care when visiting the club and we will advise you of further changes here.

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CHRISTMAS EVENTS TICKETS - Update!!! Any remaining tickets will go on general sale on Saturday, 24th November from the social club bar.

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CHRISTMAS EVENTS TICKETS SELLING FAST!!!

Within the first two hours of tickets going on sale to members, nearly half of the New Year's Eve tickets were sold. Boxing Day and Christmas Eve weren't far behind, so if you are a member and want tickets, we urge you not to leave it too late, last year many members were disappointed that they had missed out.

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CHANGE OF ACCESS TO MARDONS

The old access lane to the social club will close and from Wednesday, 7th November, the new access will become operable. Enter the Nightingale Estate (opposite Norton Hill School) turn right into Kingfisher Drive, then right again, into Woodpecker Avenue. This will now lead into the Social Club car park. Please be midful of our neighbours when you visit us.

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HALLOWEEN HIJINKS AT MARDONS

The club will be decorated for the occasion and this year, top class entertainment has been secured in the form of the ever-impressive 'Handsome Joe Band'. They are known for creating a lively, party atmosphere and having fun on stage, so, wanting to make the night special, they have been busily learning some new covers befitting to the halloween theme.

With past Halloween successes in hand, party goers can be confident in arriving in full costume and knowing that they’ll be surrounded by fellow revellers. It’s a real family night and all ages are very
welcome, with prizes on offer for the best dressed man, woman, boy and girl, so be creative.

Last year everyone had an amazing time, enjoying the atmosphere and raising lots of money for Dorothy House Hospice Care, so go along for a fun night out...and get into the spirit!

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CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR'S EVE TICKETS - Please read carefully!

Tickets will go on sale to MEMBERS ONLY from 8 p.m. on Friday, 9th November and will only be available from the Social Club. Members requiring tickets must provide one membership card for each ticket. ie. If you want four tickets for New Year’s Eve, you will need to provide four individual membership cards – each member is allowed only one ticket (membership numbers will be recorded and checked). After two weeks, should there be any remaining tickets, they will go on general sale and be available to everyone.

Christmas Eve / Shazam : £7 each (£5 per member when bought with membership card)
Boxing Day / Disco : £7 each adult (£5 per member when bought with membership card)
£3 each child (£2 if bought by a member with a membership card*)
New Year’s Eve / Alligators : £12 each (£10 per member when bought with membership card)
*Members may purchase multiple children’s tickets on production of a current membership card.

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QUIZ NIGHT - hosted by Sun Chemical

On Friday, 26th October test your general knowledge at the latest Quiz Evening. Teams to consist of a maximum of four people at £2.50 per person. The fun starts at 7 p.m. and there may even be a round to tickle those taste buds! Supper will be provided at half time and there will be prizes for the winners and the runners up. Teams must book in advance to ensure their place (and supper), please give your team details to Tracy Hunt (01761 408501), or Graham Bullman (01761 408621).

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MARDONS JOINS LOCAL PUBWATCH SCHEME - Banned from one, banned from all!

Mardons Social Club are consolidating their reputation as a family club by joining the area’s growing Pubwatch scheme. Becoming a member of Pubwatch means that anyone that has been recorded as banned from the local establishments will automatically be excluded from the social club. The club has been provided with the names of those on the Pubwatch list who have been excluded from other premises in the area and anyone on that list visiting the club and attempting to get served will be refused and asked to leave.

The Norton Radstock and District Pubwatch scheme has now been in operation for four years. The scheme, which operates in co-operation with Avon and Somerset Police, aims to provide fun, trouble-free venues for the participants of our area’s nightlife. The scheme has been a great success, with all participating venues reporting a dramatic reduction in issues relating to anti-social behaviour and an increase in trade as customers prefer to ocialise in a fun, safe atmosphere.

The scheme provides an incentive for customers to act responsibly – the penalty for causing any type of problem at a Pubwatch venue is a ban from all venues for up to two years, depending on the severity of the incident. Pubwatch share information with the local police and CCTV operators to ensure that it covers not only venues, but also the surrounding areas.

'With more venuse signing up to the scheme, those who choose to behave without consideration for others will find less and less places willing to accept their custom. Although Mardons has long been one of the safest social places in the area, it is important that we do all we can to maintain that ...joining the scheme sends out a positive message and will deter anyone fromcausing trouble.'

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Another proud Olympic’s connection with the Social Club is Committee Member, Glyn Pearce, who has now completed his duties as a Gamesmaker. Glyn was one of tens of thousands of volunteers who gave up their own time to provide essential services at the Games without which the Olympics simply could not have happened. He described it as a wonderful experience meeting amazing people. The public, the competitors and even the Prime Minister have all been quick to recognise the contribution made by the Gamesmakers and to thank them all for their efforts – well done Glyn!

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PISTON BROKE PROVE TO BE A MASSIVE SUCCESS

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SATURDAY NIGHT ENTERTAINMENT - As Printed in The Journal

Piston Broke will be playing at Mardons on Saturday, 4th August. Since their formation early this year, the band have been steadily gaining an evergrowing fanbase and earning rave reviews for their impressive shows.

Their debut gig at the Centurion, in aid of Time is Precious, was well supported with a capacity crowd and raised much-needed funds. Numerous further gigs, an appearance at Radstock College’s Spring Fair and performing at Sun Chemicals’ Summer Party has seen them hone their set and polish their performance.

The line-up of Nev Rhymer (vocals), Rob Clements (lead guitar), Johnny Hughes (rhythm/lead guitar), Ben Edgell (bass guitar) and Dave Riddle (drums) is impressive. Not surprisingly, the members have previous form and experience, having been in several well-respected local bands, including the aclaimed ‘The Clearest View’, ‘Crazy 88s’ and ‘Read Em And Weep’.

Their set, which is full of well-known covers, played with gusto, appeals to all ages, whether you want to go along and have a dance or sit back and enjoy the show. The Social Club invites anyone to come and check them out, members or non-members are welcome and entry on the night will be free. See the band playing a couple of tracks on our entertainment page.

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FRIDAY 3rd AUGUST - RACE NIGHT

The club will play host to a fun race night on Friday, 3rd August. Everyone is welcome, for what should be an enjoyable night. Horses can be bought and named from the Social Club bar and bets can be placed on the night. We look forward to see you there!

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JOIN THE OLYMPIC SPIRIT AT MARDONS FOR THE OPENING CEREMONY

FRIDAY, 27th JULY Mardon’s Social Club, currently at the start of their new membership year, are offering their members, families and friends a rare and novel opportunity as the country prepares to support its sporting best. Will Stevenson, who hails originally from Midsomer Norton, attended Midsomer Norton Primary and Somervale School, will be present at the Club on Friday evening, 27th July, with the iconic Olympic Torch he carried through Andover. He hopes to see former schoolmates and possibly even former teachers for a bout of reminiscing.

The club, renowned for its 'big screen' sports coverage, will be showing the opening ceremony live on the night, as the torch completes its journey through the UK and Ireland, signalling the start of London 2012. All are welcome to come along and see, touch or even be photographed with the torch. Will was selected to carry the torch as a result of his fundraising and efforts to raise awareness of the Smith Magenis foundation, daughter Lily’s condition. Donations to the foundation for photographs will be welcome.

With the promise of better weather, there will be a BBQ available organized by the 2Rs Carnival Club and discounted drinks for members showing their new 'membership discount card'. The club continues to go from strength to strength since they overcame threats of closure just a few years ago and are now looking forward to relocating to their new purpose built premises in the next couple of years or so.

Don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity for you and the kids to be photographed with the torch. Come along and enjoy the evening. Will is pictured with Lily at the start of his run

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MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS ARE DUE NOW

Membership 2011/2012 has expired and we are currently renewing and accepting new members. If you use the club regularly you should join as a member and take advantage of the discount. We can no longer have any life members, so everyone needs to join yearly. To join please either complete an application form and leave it behind the bar with your £5 joining fee, alternatively leave your £5 along with your old membership card.

IMPORTANT:
Your membership card is also your discount card, it allows you to receive discounted drinks prices and free entry to standard entertainment nights. You should carry this discount card and produce it when asked. If you don’t or if you forget it, you will be charged to enter and have to pay regular drinks prices at the bar! We are trying to reward those who support the club and pay to be members, so show your card at the bar and help us identify non-members and charge them accordingly.

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EASTER DRINKS PROMOTION FOR MEMBERS WHO SHOW THEIR CARDS

Show your valid membership card between Good Friday and Easter Monday and get a draught pint or Guinness Surger for £2.50 – Remember you should always carry your card when at the club, so don't forget it over Easter or you'll miss out!

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ALL THE BEST BANDS PLAY AT MARDONS...

The talent keeps on coming. Our new bands are proving to be massive hits, with the likes of The Covers and The Mystarons entertaining us and bringing in great crowds and new faces.
We have more recently been visited by Shakane. Originally formed in the 60s, the group had some chart success under various names (Force West, Oscar Bicycle Club..etc). In 1973 Shakane was offered a residency at 'Town's Talk' nightclub on the outskirts of Bristol, this lasted a massive 17 years! Towns Talk was a mecca for live music lovers, attracting customers from all corners of the south west on a regular basis. They haven't lost the magic and were enjoyed by all.
The Woods returned to us after a storming debut last year, you instantly took to them, with immediate requests for us to book them for a New Year (...it won't be this year, but here's hoping for 2013!) The Woods offer a masterclass in what's great about Rock 'n' Roll, making it sound lively and fresh. All exceptional musicians their return sealed them as one of the finest rock n roll bands around.

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GREAT START TO THE YEAR AT THE 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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MARDONS GETS A 'WHITE CHRISTMAS' PARTY

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'.

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CHRISTMAS SEASON TICKETS

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.

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CHARITY RAFFLE FOR RUH ONCOLOGY UNIT

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.

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CONCERT BAND RAISE MUCH NEEDED FUNDS

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.

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NEW SATURDAY NIGHT BANDS PROVE TO BE EXTREMELY POPULAR

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REUNION FOR CLASSMATES OF SOMERVALE SCHOOL

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.

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QUIZ NIGHT - 20th AUGUST

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.

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CAN YOU HELP!

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.

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SATURDAY NIGHT ENTERTAINMENT BREAK AND FAREWELL TO MARK!

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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MEMBERSHIP NOW DUE

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.

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SUPPORT LINDEN HOMES' PLANNING APPLICATION – SUPPORT MARDONS NEW CLUB

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

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WEDDING DAY CELEBRATIONS AT MARDONS

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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

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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.

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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.”

Bill Stevenson, from the Alcan Mardon Social Club said:

“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!

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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.

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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.

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YELLOWGROOVE & SHOTGUN SHINE

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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

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NEW TO MARDONS - COME AND CHECK IT OUT!

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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

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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!

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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!

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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.

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MORE ARCHIVED NEWS - CLICK HERE!

Thank you for your continued support.