VOICES Newspaper was able to snatch an hour of Ricky Tomlinson’s holiday time at his apartment in the lovely setting of the Apollon Holiday Village, on the outskirts of Didim, recently.
He discussed everything from his new role in the upcoming Northern Soul film to his 41-year battle to clear his name.
V50 and Northern Soul
Ricky, who has been coming to Didim for five years, welcomed the Voices saving of the Northern Soul event that will be staged at the Garden of Sun’s Zaya Night club on Friday July 25.
He said: “Great news. And well done to the paper for stepping up. I am sure it will be a great event, but then there is a great following for Northern Soul in the UK and abroad.”
The actor has had a close up experience of Northern Soul – having played a part in Northern Soul – The Film which reflects on the highly popular dance genre.
Northern soul is a music and dance movement that emerged independently in Northern England in the late 1960s from the British mod scene. Northern Soul mainly consists of a particular style of black American soul music based on the heavy beat and fast tempo of the mid-1960s Tamla Motown sound.
For Ricky, dipping back into Northern Soul with the film was a walk back down memory lane. He said: “To be honest I was never into the Northern Soul culture. Their dress sense didn’t suit in those days. I fancied a bit of a jitter bug and a boogie during those days! But I have a new appreciation of it having done the film.”
He was given a new insight into the popularity of Northern Soul after his Liverpool-based variety club, The Green Room, staged a Northern Soul weekender. He said: “We had booked the Bay City Rollers the week before and that attracted 700 people.
“Then we hosted a Northern Soul weekender and it attracted 3,000 people. 3,000. It was incredible. And they came from all parts of the country. So there is a great affection for the Northern Soul scene.”
Northern Soul – The Film
Ricky’s role in the Northern Soul – The Film, brought him into contact with the likes of Lisa Stansfield (‘magnificent’) and the film’s director, the award-winning, Elaine Constantine.
The film, Elaine’s first feature length movie, tells the tale of two Northern boys whose worlds are changed forever when they discover black American soul music. Of those in the film are Brent Howarth – one of the two featured V50 Djs – and his son Ethan who is the number 1 Northern Soul dancer in the UK.
The film is due to go on general release this summer.
‘Our Louis’
While continuing with the music theme, Ricky spoke lovingly of his nine-year-old grandson Louis who is getting into his music. He said: “He’s now taking lessons (learning guitar). And he loves it. He’s brilliant. But that’s what it’s all about. Introducing music to the kids. It’s great for them – whether they can dance to it, sing or perform.”
Children’s book
His children’s book that he began writing is now half way to completion and Ricky is looking forward to the finished product. “We’re getting there. It’s a great challenge and one that I’m loving.”
Cameras, action….
Ricky revealed he had bought some TV cameras and was looking at maybe doing small scale documentaries. He offered a chance for any film makers doing the V50 night to film it.
He said: “One of the things I would like to do from a personal point is a documentary on the mining community. They are a great community but I wanted to do something different. But that’s in the planning stage when I get home.”
Soma
He reflected on the Soma mining disaster which claimed the life of a Didim local. He said: “They are doing one of the hardest jobs, in the bowels of the earth. Noone really stops and thinks what they do. And then this happens.
“But what I like about the mining communities is that while they are locally strong communities, they are also united on an international level. They have the same concerns, the same principles and the same drive, basically to provide for their families.”
His ‘little’ addiction
Reflecting on the mining communities – and has Arthur Scargill as a ‘great friend – he revealed that he has a penchant for mugs, not just normal ones, but those that feature special characteristics. He recalled the time he went to a Grog Shop which had mugs of Welsh rugby characters as the behest of his mate Max Boyce.
“I got these mugs and had a great time. They are part of my collection. I have about 50. I love little things like that.”
His hate for Thatcher
With mining still on his mind, he openly said: “I hate Maggie Thatcher for what she did to the mining communities.” He said: “My only comfort is that in 10,000 years, she may well be a piece of coal, and…….” Voices opted not to print the punchline, but we’ll leave that to the imagination of the readers
‘Nob’ Ed’
He also launched in to attack on Labour leader, Ed Milliband for posing with a Sun Newspaper, which is reviled on Merseyside for the coverage of the Hillsborough disaster. Millband has since apologized for his gaffe, although claimed it was to back the Sun’s campaign for the England squad at the Wolrd Cup.
Ricky said: “I am absolutely disgusted. What a nobhead. We (Liverpudlians) don’t read it (The Sun), buy it or agree with it for what they said about Hillsborough.
“It just shows how out of touch politicians, even our own, are so out of touch with the working class of today.”
41-year fight
In 1972, Ricky joined a group of ‘flying’ pickets in a building workers’ dispute in Shrewsbury. In 1973, he was sentenced to two years in prison after being found guilty of ‘conspiracy to intimidate’ as one of the so-called Shrewsbury Two.
In 2012 Tomlinson and others sought to have the convictions overturned by the Criminal Cases Review Commission.
Today he spoke of his continuing passion to get the sentence lifted and the case completely crushed. He said he hopes the Criminal Cases Review Commission will reach a positive conclusion by the end of the year.
He referred to how Ted Heath’s government at the time seemed to have had a hand in the conviction – which, if he was convicted of, should have only carried a maximum three month sentence.
He said: “We want the sentences quashed and the documents that we have in our possession, due to some fantastic research, could well come back to haunt and expose some people at the top in the coming months. What we have learnt is unbelievable, but it will all come out at the right time.”
Future plans
He spoke of his joy at being given the Freedom of the City of Liverpool which has only just been granted. He dismissed any thoughts of accepting an OBE or MBE for his services, but the Freedom honour filled him with pride.
He said: “It was a fantastic honour to have and one that I am rightly proud of.”
He plans to have a big shindig at the Green Room to celebrate his 75th birthday and has recently signed up to a new film but due to signing a confidentiality clause is unable to say any more about it.
Ricky also plans to get a new TV project together, as well as plans for bringing a number of artists to Didim from the UK to perform, probably in 2015. He said: “Me, retire? Never.
“I just love waking up in the mornings and thinking what am I going today. I love life. Because you just don’t know what’s round the corner.”