THIS is the time for action – Secret Affair are revving up their Lambrettas and ironing out their Ben Sherman shirts ahead of this month’s Ribble Valley Mod and Soul Weekender.

Secret Affair provide this year’s headlining act, and although the sold out signs have gone up at the main event at Clitheroe’s Grand Theatre, there are plenty of other events to keep the crowds entertained elsewhere in the town from September 26 to 28.

“All the tickets for the main event, Secret Affair, had gone by July, and that has beaten all records since the festival started four years ago,” said organiser Stephen Porter.

“We could have done twice as many tickets, all the hotels and campsites in Clitheroe are full.

“A festival can bring so much into a town and Mod Weekender is getting bigger every year now.”

And following the storming success of last year’s event, Porter has set his sights on a broader themed event, with venues across Clitheroe getting involved.

“There will be bands and DJs playing at the Rose and Crown, The Buck Inn, Key Street, and Clitheroe Social Club, so there’s going to be plenty going on,” added Stephen.

“Last year was brilliant, with scooter enthusiasts from all over Britain, some attending the event for the first time.

“We’ve got fans coming from Scotland and London and one visitor from Toronto who visited in 2013 is coming back again.”

There will also be a spectacular parade, with a cavalcade of 500 scooters riding into town on Saturday afternoon.

“Clitheroe came to a standstill last year. It was amazing to see,” added Porter.

“The day trippers really loved the sight of all the scooters coming through the town and looking at all the merchandise and food stalls.

“Clitheroe has really embraced the event and it is fully supported by the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses have been keen to sponsor the weekend. We really appreciate everybody’s efforts and we want to make this the biggest and best weekend so far.”

Previous acts have included DC Fontana and Essex boys Missing Andy.

Headliners Secret Affair, who rode the new wave of the Mod revival in 1979, enjoyed chart hits Let Your Heart Dance, My World, Sound of Confusion and Time For Action, their debut single and biggest success.

The Ribble Valley Mod Weekender runs from September 26-28.

 

WHAT’S ON

Sept 26: Heavy Mod – The Castle Inn (9pm); The Scandals – Rose and Crown (10pm); Urban Empire – Key Street (9.15pm); The Universal – Key Street (10.30pm) Sept 27: Scooter Ride In – Rose and Crown Hotel (1pm); Steve Thompson and the Incidents – Rose and Crown (2pm); The Joe Publix – The Buck Inn (3pm); Pat Gallagher – Molly’s Café (4.30 pm); 5ft Fez – Rose and Crown (5pm); Northern Sugar – Key Street (6pm); Rambunkhus – Clitheroe Social Club (8pm); The Micradotts – The Castle Inn (9pm); The Style Selektors – Rose and Crown (11pm) Sept 28: The Beat Generation DJ sessions – Rose and Crown (3pm) White Riot – (Clash tribute band) Key Street (6pm) Mike Dobie – The Buck Inn (7.30pm)