In 1973 three people namely Brian Holden, Gordon Ratnage and Melvyn Cameron saw the need for a Country Western Club in the Bletchley area. The trio started tentatively by holding their first meetings at “The Compass Club” eventually moving on to a more permanent basis at the “Gladiator Club” which was then the home of Bletchley Football Club. The promise from that day forward was that M K Divided C&W Club would present LIVE Country Music every Sunday fortnight to meet the demand.
Of the original threesome – two are left – Melvyn moved on to other things at an earlier stage but Brian and Gordon have maintained a fortnightly presentation of the best in UK country to date and this year M K Divided are celebrating thirty one years of serving the area with a two weekly dose of LIVE country music.
In the past MK Divided have hosted such bands as “ The Hillsiders” “Kentucky County” and “The Alabama Hayriders” to name but a few of the bygone top artists, but the enthusiasm has not left Gordon and Brian; they continue to bring the tops in UK country entertainment to the Club.
MK Divided operates very successfully now from the British Rail Sports and Social Club situated almost opposite the entrance to “Bletchley Station” in Station Parade “Sherwood Drive” Bletchley. If you need further instruction on the location of the venue then telephone Gordon on MK 376947 or Brian on MK 271030 – they will be only too pleased to help and welcome you.
Brian and Gordon have made the Club one of the friendliest in the UK, opening the doors to all ages, dancers and listeners – all are welcome. Come along and sample the special atmosphere – a cheaper bar than usual – great company and what must be super value for cash in entertainment! What is more it’s All Country Music!!!
MK Divided celebrate thirty one years of bringing Country to Bletchley – so why not join us in making it a memorable time – there is a band list provided so you can make choice – and should you need further advice then feel free to call us.
Then she moves to the country and western world, describing the Milton Keynes Divided Country and Western Club, going strong in Bletchley since the mid 1970s. The club's name, she says, indicated certain options. One of these was in dress: 'divided' between those who chose to come dressed `just as you like' and those who preferred `western dress'. Either was acceptable, and around half had opted for one or another version of 'western' gear which could range from a token cowboy hat or scarf or to the full regalia. "In contrast to rock and jazz events," she explains, "the audience sitting round the tables was family based, with roughly equal numbers of men and women, several children, and people of every age from the twenties upwards, including middle-aged and elderly people; only the late teenagers were absent. It was a 'family night out' ... the secretary welcomed individual visitors from other clubs to interest and smiles from his listeners - an established custom in country and western clubs, in keeping with their general atmosphere of friendliness and personal warmth".
She makes it sound almost like a meeting of a religious sect like the Shakers in nineteenth century America: "As the evening went on, more and more people got up to dance, adding to and developing the music through their rhythmic movements in the dance - one of the age-old modes of musical expression and appreciation. The atmosphere was relaxed and unselfconscious. and most people whatever their age, sex or build looked remarkably carefree as they danced to the band - the middle-aged woman with her tight jeans, jersey and big leather belt over her well-rounded bulges, the visiting technician and grandfather with his broken smoke-stained teeth, gleaming gun and cowboy gear, the young wife out for the evening with her husband, drawn in by his general interest in country and western music and now sharing his enthusiasm - and scores of others."
The country and western world was a co-existence of people interested in the 'western' aspects and those who most valued the music. This co-existence was summed up in the very name of the Milton Keynes Divided Country and Western Club, which as Dr Finnegan says, at first sight suggests dissension, but in practice symbolises fruitful co-operation and an ultimate sharing of interests between these wings of the country and western world.
