Welcome to Soul Essence 27, The Raynscourt and Great Yarmouth , the rumours of our demise I have to say have been greatly exaggerated and I'm pleased to let you all know we will be back in 2010 , April 9/10/11 to be precise.

Once again this year we participated with our Spanish colleagues in a Soul Essence meets soul 4 Real event in Bilbao. We had a change of venue with the upmarket Hotel Ercilla being our location for the weekend with a great retro style club in the hotel basement proving the perfect setting for a memorable weekend. I think everyone who attended will testify that this event was a bit special and the best Anglo - Spanish event to date. Our intention is to make this event an annual one with Soul Essence happening in April and Soul Essence meets Soul 4 Real in Spain in the Autumn.

The good news is that the next event is November 13th & 14th at the Hotel Ercilla where we have negotiated a deal for you, full details are elsewhere in this programme but to book your places in the hotel email eurocom@jet.as with your requirements - single or double room and details.

I'd like to thank all of those that kept the soul faith with us when our future may have looked a little uncertain and those Radio jocks Mick O Donnell and Shaun Robbins in particular who have allowed us to have our own Soul Essence special shows featuring several of the Soul Essence team this really helps fly the flag for us and I think the shows have been thoroughly enjoyable for all involved. Other weekenders continue to pop out of the woodwork and we've seen many come and go over our Sixteen years here ( yes we started out in April 93) , but you can't blame people for trying so good luck to them. We are truly an institution - and we've got the inmates to prove it !

Sad to hear recently that the Orwell has had to close as it was an event I was involved in at the outset , however the lads are back with a new night at Bury Town Hall , again see details elsewhere in this programme.

Some great newer sounds around at the moment some of which the Gouch has reviewed elsewhere in this programme , I know the mix of music will feature these more heavily this time around. On the subject of Gouch , he and Kathy have done marvellously well this year in recovering from their surgery well done and Congrats to him on his retirement.

So we are all set for another brilliant Soul Essence weekend - enjoy it , it'll fly by!

Bob Cosby

Our thanks to the following ; Donna , Paul and the Raynscourt staff, Sue , Gary, Mark Randall, Chris James sound , Ian Clark, Andy Dyson, Fish ,Steve Plumb , Bill Shannon,Dave Thorley & Russ Edkins.

Please use the booking form on the front cover to book your places for Soul Essence 28 - 9th /10th/ 11th April 2010

See you then.