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The Billy Fury 25th Anniversary Weekend started on Friday at 4.30pm when Colin Paul welcomed us in the Metropole Suite and the bar staff served drinks. The Persuaders joined Colin for some great Billy songs and rock'n'roll. "Jivin' Jim" Killey then entertained us with some great discs. The new Billy DVD "His Wondrous Story" was playing on a big screen at the back of the stage throughout. After we unpacked our bags we went for our evening meal and came back later to more of Jim's excellent choice of discs and great humour.

Colin and the band came on stage again at 8.30 and did a great mix of music backed by The Passionettes, who we have seen previously backing Albie in his concerts. The girls then performed their own set singing a great range of past hits made famous by the Supremes, Connie Francis, Dusty Springfield etc. Their red costumes were marvellous and they brought some glamour to the evening. Jim and Colin entertained us again into the early hours.

Saturday morning was free except for those of us who manned the merchandise stall selling lots of memoraBILLYa, including Billy's new CD which was sold out early and we had to get some more. Sarahlea held a jive class for those learning to rock'n'roll. Some of us went out along the seafront or into town as it was a lovely sunny day.

In the evening we were again entertained by Jim Killey followed by Colin Paul and the Persuaders who played some great hits by Billy, Elvis, Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly, and Colin again treated us to his wonderful version of "Hurt". We then welcomed back Billy Dean who gave us such a wonderful show last year. He sang a great number of rock'n'roll hits including a couple of Billy numbers and finished with the wonderful "Cara Mia" - what a voice! Mo Cooper was selling lovely dance clothes and other merchandise on her stall as she usually does.

Later in the evening our very own Albie Wycherley got up on stage to great applause launching into' Wondrous Place', 'Like I've Never Been Gone', 'Once Upon a Dream', 'I'd Never Find Another You', 'You Don't Know', 'My Babe', 'I Will' and several other Billy numbers. At the end he brought his mum Jean up on stage and they sang' Halfway to Paradise' together which was just wonderful. The applause was deafening! Great to see you back on stage Albie.

Danny Rivers, another 'old friend' of the Metropole weekends, also gave us some powerful renditions of' Little Sister', 'Reconsider Baby' and 'A Mess of Blues'. Good to see you again Danny. Colin presented Jean and Albie with a huge painting of Billy, with three images, by an Australian artist, Chris Drummond. What a lovely picture to mark Billy's 25th anniversary. (Click on pic below to learn more about Chris and see 'Another Fan Down Under linked from 'News' page).

Colin and the band gave us another set of great songs and Jim took us into the night with his discs. During both Friday and Saturday evenings Mrs Roth and Diane sold raffle tickets for the Billy Fury Music Awards, with lots of great prizes.

On Sunday morning the jiving competition was held with two winners. Then Colin read out the answers to the Billy quiz which was running over the weekend. There were two winners who received copies of Colin and the Persuaders' new CD to commemorate Billy's 25th anniversary. Albie again sang a couple of Billy songs, 'Give Me Your Word' and 'Our Day Will Come', which are on Albie's new CD. A number of fans got up and sang their favourite Billy songs, including Chris Parsons, who we had the pleasure of seeing again. He sang the beautiful' I'll Show You'. Billy's mum Jean was summoned to the stage by Colin and she sang 'In Thoughts Of You' beautifully and at the age of 86 still had no trouble at all hitting the high notes. It's clear where Billy and Albie's talents came from.Colin also sang again for us including 'God Created Woman' which was brilliant. Thanks Colin.

Jean Wycherley's raffle was drawn with lots of lovely prizes and the proceeds went to her own 'Nobody's Child' charity for underprivileged children. Towards the end of the morning Mrs Roth and Diane presented Jean and Albie with flowers and thanked them for making it such a special weekend. Mo Cooper thanked Mrs Roth and Diane for organising it and gave a donation from her stall to the Billy Fury Music Awards fund. We all agreed it had been a great weekend and a great tribute to Billy on his 25th anniversary.