Press Articles
and the story so far...
I am always delighted that the work being done to promote and remember Newcastle's most recent cultural heritage is being recognised and written about in the local press. I will continue to work to raise the profile of Newcastle's glorious, and I feel at times, forgotten musical history. The biggest achievement to date is in gaining a heritage plaque for the Club a'Gogo and more are to follow... watch this space!
Jools Whitfield
Evening Chronicle
November 2019
The beginning ...
This is where myself and my former husband started our journey into Newcastle's musical past. We named our club nights after that once famous club, which apart from the fantastic Ready Steady Gone blog had been largely forgotten. Read the full article here
The Crack Magazine
November 2019
The first review...
Newcastle's alternative Crack magazine features Club a'Gogo in their club preview section
Dedicated Follower
January 2020
An interview with a national mod zine
This was our first interview with one of the established mod zines, the Dedicated Follower. Spreading the word about the Newcastle scene.
Start Magazine
February 2020
Mod zines want to know more ...
We find that we are generating a bit of a buzz on the mod scene who want to find out more about us and the Club a'Gogo
The Journal
February 2020
The country goes into lockdown...
The world is hit by a global pandemic. We realise many of our followers, the original Club a'Gogo members are in the vunerable category and will be the worst affected by the lockdown. We set up a Facebook group for the original club goers to allow them to interact with like minded people, this community goes some way to help avoid feelings of isolation. Read the full article here
Facebook Fundraiser
May 2020
NHS Emergency PPE Fundraiser
At the start of the Covid pandemic the NHS has a severe shortage of PPE equipment for frontline staff. Club a'Gogo facilitate an online fundraiser for this essential PPE. Unbelievably, trolls use this as an opportunity to accuse us of stealing the donations. You couldn't make it up...
The Club a'Gogo Book
April 2020
The idea for the Club a'Gogo book is formed...
I get inspired by hearing the amazing stories from the original Newcastle mods about the Club a'Gogo. I decide I want to tell their story and I start writing...
Order thebook here
The Downbeat Magazine
May 2021
The Downbeat magazine is born ...
Inspired by us being featured in a couple of mod zines I think 'how hard can it be??' (to publish my own magazine). The Downbeat, named after Newcastle's Downbeat jazz club is born and I become the Editor . Order Issue 1 here
Evening Chronicle
May 2021
A heritage plaque for Club a'Gogo!
The more I research the history of the Club a'Gogo for my book the more angry I get, why is this club, the 'Home of the Animals' not being remembered as an important part of Newcastle's history? I prepare a proposal to Newcastle Council for a heritage plaque. The bid is successful. Read the full article here
The Downbeat Magazine
June 2021
Issue 2 of The Downbeat published
I get a taste for publishing and Issue 2 of The Downbeat quickly follows, this time featuring Newcastle mods Anne and Lisle. Order Issue 2 here
Look North
July 2021
Television interview with BBC Look North
We have a socially distanced interview with a reporter from BBC Look North, televised that same evening. We tell of our delight at being successful in gaining a heritage plaque for Club a'Gogo
The Downbeat Magazine
August 2021
Issue 3 of The Downbeat published
Issue 3 of The Downbeat is a Bank Holiday special featuring Newcastle mod, Ed on the cover and mod legend, Irish Jack on the cover of the pull out section. Order Issue 3 here
Living North Magazine
October 2021
Rediscovering Newcastle’s Mod Culture...
I never imagined that one day we would be interviewed for the North's luxury lifestyle magazine, Living North but here we are spreading the word yet again. Read the full article here
The NE1 Magazine
October 2021
Club a'Gogo Mod Nights relaunched
Tryng to run events during a pandemic is tough, but with restrictions (sort of) easing we re-launch Club a'Gogo mod nights. Check out our current events here
Evening Chronicle
February 2022
Newcastle's Handyside Arcade is back...
Not content with getting the history of the Club a'Gogo mainstream, my next venture is to remember Newcastle's lost arcade, the Handyside Arcade. We start our new alternative markets. Read the full article here
Living North Magazine
March 2022
Newcastle's New Indie Markets
The Living North magazine yet again gets behind us to help us promote our new market which is set up support local indie traders and students. Read the full article here
The Downbeat Magazine
January 2022
Issue 4 of The Downbeat published
My personal favourite and I enjoyed researching for this issue. This time featuring the powerhouse that was Nina Simone. As always The Downbeat continues to promote local artists and sub cults. Order Issue 4 here
The Handyside Arcade Book
March 2022
Why can't I be you?
Jools is again inspired, I love hearing all of the stories of the arcade and Newcastle's lost sub cult history. I start to plan my next book, Why can't I be you? If anyone would like to contribute to the book please email Jools at infoclubagogo@gmail.com
Diary of a Mod Girl Book
April 2022
Newcastle through the eyes of a
60s mod girl around town
Jools is honoured to be able to tell the story of Newcastle mod girl around town, Anne. More details to follow
Evening Chronicle
August 2022
Club a'Gogo Plaque Unveiling date announced
It had been a long wait but finally with all Covid restrictions ended we could announce the date for the Club a'Gogo heritage plaque unveiling ceremony as Thursday, 8 September 2022. Read the full article here
Newcastle Council
September 2022
Club a'Gogo Plaque Unveiled at last!
I was so proud to finally unveil the Club a'Gogo heritage with my ex husband along with Mike Grehan and Anne Wilson Cotton, with the Lord Mayor in attendance. A momentous day for Newcastle's . Read the full article here
Evening Chronicle
September 2022
Club a'Gogo Plaque Unveiled at last! Part 2
With people flying in from all across the globe, Percy Street was rammed with people eagerly waiting for the unveiling ceremony to take place. We were thrilled to be joined by Germaine Valentine, representing Hilton Valentine, local legends Lindisfarne and the Junco Partners. What a day! . Read the full article here
Heritage Walks
July 2022
The Get Carter Location Walks
We had wanted to do this for a long time as we are huge Get Carter fans and finally we launched the Get Carter location walks this summer. Even better our walks were endorsed by Tony Klinger , son of Get Carter Producer, Michael Klinger. Paul hosted these tours which were in small groups as he is extremely knowledgeable about the film.
Club a'Gogo Heritage Walks
August 2022
When you love your 'job'...
With the date of the Club a'Gogo heritage plaque finally planned we announced our Club a'Gogo heritage walks. Having already taken people from New Zealand, Oslo and Holland on our Get Carter walks we suddenly realised this 'work' is fun! . Book your private tour here
The After Party
September 2022
Well it's not every day you get awarded a heritage plaque ...
After such an exciting day, it was time to party! And what a night we had with the rock royalty of Newcastle all joining us to celebrate. Animals tribute band Animal Tracks kept the dancefloor packed and a good time was had by all. An amazing night! AND we are going to do it all again on the 29 December, book your tickets here
Newcastle Council
September 2022
The Interviews ...
See the film clips and interviews from this amazing day! . View the film here
The Student Markets
June 2022
The Student Markets are coming to Newcastle
It has always been important for me to help the younger generation and also educate them on our sub cult history. I contact local colleges about hosting student markets. We decide to start pop up markets JUST for students in collaboration with Newcastle and Gateshead Colleges. More details here
Mods of Your Generation
May 2021
An interview with top mod website
We were honoured to be interviewed for the premier mod website, Mods of Your Generation, which thanks to Johnny Bradley's hard work has a huge global mod following. Read the full article here
Lionheart Radio
June, July, August 2020
The Club a'Gogo Request Shows
We were thrilled to be interviewed by Tom Wilson on his Lionheart Radio show. This proved so popular we were offered three Club a'Gogo request shows. These shows offered some light relief for our members during those long lockdown months.
Club a'Gogo Book published
December 2022
Club a'Gogo & The Mod Scene of 1960s Newcastle
Jools finally, after three years of research publishes her book on the Club a'Gogo and the thriving 60s mod scene. This is their story. Order now via link
Mod Exhibition in Newcastle
February/March 2023
“It's my life .... and I'll do what I want"
We curate our first exhibition in Newcastle. 'It's my life ...' was a mini exhibition celebrating mod and 60s culture with a specific focus on the North East. We were thrilled to have been offered the opportunity to curate our very first exhibition on the 60s culture we love so much. I am hoping to curate more exhibitions.
Mod Exhibition in Newcastle
February/March 2023
“It's my life .... and I'll do what I want"
A fantastic turnout with many original mods travelling from all over the world to relive their memories. One of the most visited exhibitions at Newcastle City Library and Paul was interviewed by Tyne Tees about the exhibition. A very proud day for me.
What next for Club a'Gogo...
The story does not end here
I will continue my work to ensure these important times in Newcastle's musical heritage are properly remembered and Paul continues to run Club a'Gogo events. I now work with Universities and colleges giving talks on sub cult history and I have helped many students with their subculture dissertations. Watch this space for more updates!
Jools Whitfield
Mod Exhibition in Newcastle
February/March 2023
“It's my life .... and I'll do what I want"
An exciting time and quite daunting as I have never curated an exhibition before but as I was formerly a window dresser I put my display skills to good use!
We were interviewed by the Newcastle Chronicle on why it is so important to promote our more recent cultural history. Read full interview here
Enquiries ...
Contact Jools for further information, press enquiries or collabs at infoclubagogo@gmail.com