Fundraisers turn back the clock in memory of popular landlady

MORE than 200 people gathered in Portsmouth for a rock 'n' roll event to raise money for brain tumour research.
The Untouchables featuring 
Picture: Graham WrightThe Untouchables featuring 
Picture: Graham Wright
The Untouchables featuring Picture: Graham Wright

The event at the Fratton Trades Club in Fratton Road, raised £700 and was organised by the Team Jean Wright Community, run by Jean’s husband Graham Wright.

The community was set up in memory of popular landlady Jean Wright, who died from a brain tumour last June.

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Jean was a landlady in Fareham, running pubs in Portsmouth, Park Gate, Romsey and Salisbury.

All the guests were required to wear vintage clothes in teddy boy style as it was Jean and Graham’s favourite and they enjoyed rock ’n’ roll.

Graham said: ‘It was a reunion of teddy boys and girls who 43 years ago used to attend the Oasis Club in North End and The St Mary’s Arms Rock and Roll.

‘Jean and I loved rock ’n’ roll and used to go to those venues very often as I was also a DJ there.’

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For the occasion he re-formed Shazam, the band in which he played 43 years ago.

He also invited other special guests, including people who took part in their wedding in 1973.

‘It was a fantastic evening,’ said Graham.

‘It couldn’t have gone any better.

‘We had fun and they were all very surprised when they saw Shazam playing together again.

‘It was fun to try fitting into those clothes more than 40 years later.’

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He added: ‘Brain tumour is still one of the major causes of death, especially for children, and we try to raise as much money as we can.’

This event was the first of this year and the money raised will be donated to The Brain Tumour Charity.

The group hopes to raise £26,000 and has raised more than £6,000 so far.

More events will take place in the next few months, such as a 24 hour five-a-side football tournament which will take place at Soccer City, Fareham, on July 22.

For more details search Team Jean Wright Fund on Facebook.

To make a donation go to justgiving.com/teams/thejeanwrightfund.