What we’ll miss about a night at the Willow – captured by this wonderful set of pictures
Sunday saw the Willow’s last stand.
Well technically it was Monday (July 27), as we all know this is one venue which doesn’t really get into gear until the early hours.
Read Ceri’s original article on her photography blog
After 42 years as a Chinese restaurant and disco (and another 30 years before that as a tea room with the same name) the Willow is closing forever.
Press photographer Ceri Oakes was a regular visitor when she was a student. She returned for one last time a few days before the doors shut.
And her wonderful pictures, reproduced with her kind permission here, capture the unique essence of a Willow night. As Ceri writes on her blog
The smell of cooking oil and prawn crackers hits you as you walk in through those magical double doors, and you can’t help but charge straight onto the dance floor before you’ve even considered buying a Sammy B.
So, what are we going to miss about a night at the Willow?
The anticipation
The owner Tommy Fong
Checking we meet the dress code
The value for money
Getting stamped
The stairway to heaven
The various instructions
The unique décor
The sophisticated air conditioning
All the modern conveniences
The unexpected beauty
Beer that doesn’t touch the sides
Service with a smile
Food choices: either this…
…or this
Flinging some shapes on the dance floor
Some very different dancing styles
The DJ and his cheeseboard
Catching up on the goss
Shots
And more shots
The people
That Willow feeling
Capturing the moment
Then a spot of supper before home
Goodbye Willow… we’ll miss you
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