Wigwam (Heywood Baptist Youth Club) (Rochdale)

Ted Tuska sent us this: The Wigwam was underneath the Heywood Baptist Church, the only club around to cater for the kids without a place to go, with soft drinks and snacks, a disco, and every week different live groups. It was run by a vicar, the Rev Michael Huck, who was one of the nicest people you could meet. I was in a group called Boadicea at the time. We went to his and house knocked on the door. He opened it and said, "Hi, come on in, make yourselves at home and don't nick owt." He was a very influential person who got many big artistes of the time to visit the Wigwam including Jimmy Ruffin and the Sutherland Brothers. He was also very popular, because he too was in a group - a gospel goup called the Movement Band, which always had the most up-to-date and biggest equipment. Also in the group, there was another good friend of mine named Mick Spratt. The vicar and Mick Spratt formed a company in the early '70s called 'Wigwam' that hired P.A. systems to groups and venues. They started by doing the sound for Sir Cliff Richard's Gospel concerts. They are now one of the North West's biggest hire companies for the biggest venues, including The Bridgewater Hall and M.E.N. Arena. After a few years, the 'rev' left the company, leaving Mick Spratt to carry it on and became the landlord of The Wishing Well, York St. Heywood, just around the corner from where the Wigwam started. He is still in touch with the music scene, holding 'jam' nights and group nights at the pub.