To a special screening of Pride

Great film based on the true story of London’s gay and lesbian community raising money for striking miners and forging a unlikely alliance. I remember all that very well, particularly the brilliant “Pits & Perverts” fundraising gig at the Electric Ballroom. It’s a funny, moving and faithful depiction of a very different era when people really stood up for their political beliefs. Londoners did a lot to help to help the miners. I DJ’d at a miners benefit bash to which a coachload of South Yorkshire miners had been specially invited. So should I spoil the admirable aims that led to this wonderful film by telling you that these young miners were probably the nastiest, most boorish, drunken thugs I have ever encountered. That they started fights, groped women, shouted racist abuse and were a horrible insult to the hosts who’d been so kind to them? No, better not.