Back in the very long day I used to live and work in St Helens YMCA.
The whole family - two kids + one wife moved into a converted corridor, first floor next to the snooker room.
I was responsible for managing our 80 bed Hostel and for programming this big town centre building (as well as programmes outside - sports, week-end adventures - trips abroad + events for our hostel residents )
We had gigs at week-ends in the sports hall.
I always remember a band called SWEATY BETTY and a missive local favourite 'The Gravy Train'.
Our YMCA residents added special beautiful creativity - it was a great night out.
Something special was our FISH RAPPER Saturday evenings where local superstars came to play.
It was like a coffee bar without the coffee - A cellar for undiscovered artists who most never were discovered ......... but it was magic - and massive in terms of relationship building.
More about these years are in my first book
GUTTER FEELINGS
available from Lulu.com
