The Loony Party returned to Belper in Derbyshire for our fortieth conference. It was our third visit to the George & Dragon, the two others had been held before lockdown. We were welcomed by new landlord Dan Newton and it all went loonily well.
I arrived ten days before and the TV, radio, and newspapers quickly found me. A few of the party arrived earlier in the week determined not to miss any part of the occasion.
Friday started with a great live set from local band ‘Manpant’, so local that the landlord Dan and previous landlord Craig are in the band. They were followed by a ‘burlesque spot’ from our very own ‘Loony Lady Lux’. Then ‘Moon Bullet’ completed an excellent night of entertainment.
We set off at noon on Saturday to explore the town’s delights and the pubs all welcomed us. Morris Side the ‘Black Pigs’ always add a sense of fun and colour dancing around town. There were sixty of us wandering around town thoroughly enjoying ourselves.
The buses stopped to let the passengers enjoy the spectacle and once again the shoppers said ‘please come back every year!’
We returned to base for our world famous ‘Cabinet Reshuffle’, it takes place in a wardrobe! This year there was a massive split in the cabinet as so many had jumped in and out and it ended crumpled in a heap in the corner of the car park.
I gave my speech recounting all that had happened throughout the year and congratulated our twenty two candidates for their astonishing efforts in the July General Election. My 25 years as ‘party political leader’ are now recognised as the longest serving in Britain. I have stood in 36 Parliamentary elections, 10 of those being ‘General Elections’, which is another British record.
In the evening we were woken by, ‘ACDC Done Dirt Cheap’ with their excellent set, but before the main band we had a surprise guest, our old friend ‘Dave Savage’ turned up with guitar in hand and started the whole evening off. Superb surprise.
I had invited an extra special guest who lives very near, Roy Wood of ELO, Move and Wizard. He sent a nice letter of apology for not being able to make it as he was going to America to see his daughter. But he wished us all the best and said ‘keep up the good work’.
I would like to thank Radio Alty from Manchester for covering the event for two days. Most of all though I would like to thank you all for being there, it was great fun, you make it happen!
We’ll meet again
Howling Laud Hope – Loony Leader