1992, the year we had a true Eurovision superstar at WASH, Johnny Logan, who had won the contest for Ireland in 1980 and 1987 and had written the winning Irish entry earlier in 1992 (for all you Eurovision trivia fans that makes him the only person to win singing a song written for him, win singing a song he wrote himself and win with a song he wrote for someone else to sing) – he’s not the only Eurovision winner to play at WASH – Katrina Leskanich – without the Waves performed in 2002… and then filling the WASH Eurovision line up there’s Black Lace who came 7th in 1979 with ‘Mary Ann’ (for my sins I actually remember it !)
What the Committee said…
THE 1992 WASH HOLIDAY WEEKEND AT HUNSTANTON
Many plussers are now familiar with the October pilgrimage to sunny Hunstanton, and this year the WASH Committee were very pleased to be able to welcome 750 people to the 9th annual WASH Weekend at Searles Holiday Centre.
The Saturday morning showing of The Blues Brothers wasn't well attended
All the necessary preparations were complete, and at midday on Friday 16th October all that was required was several hundred fun-loving plussers. By teatime all was well, and the reception staff were busy booking people into their caravan accommodation, which this year was of an even higher standard than last. Having settled in, people started to arrive at the newly extended clubhouse, where the weekend entertainment kicked-off with the resident D.J. Rob George, who treated us to his own unique mix of music. The weekends live entertainment began with Eurovision star Johnny Logan appearing on stage at 11.00, with some well known songs and some of his own ballads. The evening finished with more music from our D.J., and having renewed many old acquaintances the weekend residents retired to their caravans in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Saturday morning offered the choice of a trip to the cinema or aerobics, a surprising number of people opting for the aerobics! Also on offer was horse-riding, cycle hire, swimming and Searles fitness centre. Saturday lunchtime again offered a choice, this time either relaxing to the melodic sounds of the Casino Royale steel band, or the not so melodic sounds of plussers at the Karaoke session with Paul Kenny. There was a second cinema show in the afternoon which was very well supported, and the car rally also proved very popular this year with 21 cars taking part, (perhaps the more squeamish not wishing to see Tremors at the cinema).Tremors Saturday afternoons film got a full house
Saturday evening saw 18 Plus move into the nineties with top rave band Oceanic appearing on stage at 9.50, who treated us to a brilliant session of modem dance music, starting and finishing with their hit ‘Insanity’. The live entertainment continued at 11.00 with the arrival of Radio One’s Nicky Campbell, entertaining us with various games and music until the surprise guest was unveiled at midnight, who despite the numerous rumours and persistent questioning of the committee had remained a secret. The audience were genuinely surprised when Nicky Campbell brought 1992 chart-topping band KWS onto the stage, where they performed amongst others their chart hits ‘Please don’t go’ and ‘Rock you baby’, getting a very warm reception from the audience. The evening finished with music from Rob George until 1.30.
Sunday commenced with aerobics and the other daytime activities on offer, or perhaps just a lay-in. The lunchtime entertainment in the clubhouse was provided by Mechanical Horsetrough, a comedy band with their own brand of music and humour. One of the highlights of the weekend was the musical show That’ll be the Day, on Sunday afternoon. A cast of thirteen performed a musical history of rock and roll to a capacity audience at the Princess Theatre. The show featured appearances by ‘Cliff Richard’,’Paul McCartney’, ‘The Shadows’,’Michael Jackson’ and many others. It culminated in a standing ovation for the performers, who appeared to enjoy the show as much as their audience. Sunday evening heralded the end of the weekend, and those who had been disappointed so far by the lack of Queen covers should have been more than satisfied with the music provided by our last band, Africa. Rob George wound up the evening, and the weekend, with some old favourites, and although the evening officially finished at midnight there were many reluctant to leave the venue and allow the bar staff to go home. Monday morning saw the departure of 18 Plus from Hunstanton for another year, taking with them memories of another very enjoyable weekend at Searles. In closing, the WASH committee would like to say a very big thank-you to the Searles staff and 18 Plus helpers who made sure the weekend was such a success, and most importantly to the 750 plussers who attended and without whom it would not have been possible. We will hopefully see you all in 1993 for an extra special 10th anniversary WASH weekend.The WASH ’92 Committee (Plus News Jan 93)
Johnny Logan entertained
with his two Eurovision Song Contest winning songs on Friday Night
Radio One’s Nicky Campbell made a guest appearance on Saturday Night
(now Radio Five’s Nicky Campbell !)
The Casino Royale Steel Band
playing in the Mariner’s Bar on Saturday Lunchtime
KWS and Oceanic
Saturday nights chart topping bands
A funny thing happened…
Searles caravans are fitted with 5 amp power supplies, enough for all normal people, but not for 4 fashion conscious girls out on the pull at WASH.
Saturday night and Cori is getting ready for the evenings festivities, she has a shower and washes her hair then gets out her 2000 watt hairdryer complete with ‘professional’ styling diffuser and such like attachments, plugs it in, turns it on and finds that your average 2000 watt hairdryer draws about 8 amps and blows the circuit breakers – which need Searles maintenance man to come and fix.
More consternation occured because Cori was sharing a caravan with 3 other girls, Julie hadn’t bought a hairdryer and Mel and Tania both had 1800 watt models which will blow the 5 amp fuses as well.
The other girls borrowed Wendy’s little travel hairdryer, but Cori was adamant that she needed her hairdryer to get her hair looking right and that she couldn’t go out at night otherwise. Needless to say there was nothing we could do about it, and Cori did go out after drying her hair using an 750 watt hairdryer (and did get off with some bloke as well !)
What they said…
Great Yarmouth have had a good WASH!
Once again, all good things come to an end. I am of course speaking about WASH ’92. This year I found myself as booking agent for our group and after the weekend was over I found out what everyone had thought. The weekend was brilliant, certainly the accommodation and all of the new amenities at Searles were very much approved of. For the best entertainment, way out in front was Mechanical Horsetrough, That’ll be the Day and Oceanic/KWS. Other favourites were Aerobics, Karaoke, and the resident DJ, Rob George. When asked what people wanted for the future, they said it was to keep a mixture of old and new music, one good film and not two, another Barn Dance and more of a light show for the Disco. The whole group had a great time and the new ‘Plussers’ in our group said that they would be back next year. As for myself, after attending seven WASH’s this was my best! Our thanks go to the WASH committee for simply the best 18 Plus weekend event.
Sarah R Great Yarmouth 18 Plus (Plus News Jan 93)