caister

EVENTS

Caister Weekend May 2002, by Soul Junkie Justin Grimwood

We used to say that Xmas comes but once a year & Caister does it twice & better. Well this year it's not strictly true & as we entered part 1 of the 3 instalments due for the 2002 version, things were always going to be a little different to what we'd conditioned ourselves to in the past. Our party numbers severely depleted down a measly 3, for numerous reasons and shock, horror, we were staying off-site for the first time!

As it turned out, fears were quickly cast aside as we realised our hotel was full of the Caister 'family', as was the one over the road, the one round the corner & it seemed just about every other building with a bed within a 2 mile radius of the hallowed Vauxhall Holiday camp due to site improvements reducing the availability of the usual caravan accommodation. Top shout of the weekend was the decision by the Caister Org to hire a minibus company for the 4 days running a very regular shuttle service between hotels & site.

Musically, no-one was really prepared to push the boat out and play anything too 'new' with the odd exception by Chris Brown (C-Nario & GC Cameron) & the ever dependable Gary Dennis (Cheers for the Maysa Leek), were about as ambitious as anyone got with the soul, but then Caister has never really been about breaking new soul music, it's always going to be a 'family' reunion party.

Ian & Rob in the little room were as obscure & brilliant as usual & welcome additions to the DJ roster Queens Of Soul seemed to go down well with the punters. I feel I should confess to indulging in the '3rd' room on more than 3 occasions where soulful house & garage were the policy for the duration & a much welcome addition, it's just a shame a few more didn't join us in there where we really had the place to ourselves early on.

Overall Caister is, well, just Caister & nothing surprises but I do always come away with a good feeling & a knowing sense that in 6 months time we do it all again. To be honest I can't wait but as refreshing as it was to have a cooked breakfast & early(er) start to the days(in order to get the breakfast) we'll be making sure of an early booking for October in order to reclaim our caravan.