RICHARD BELL is very glad he ventured into the wilds of Witney for ‘Do the Ska’ at The Palace.

I had never been to Witney before travelling there for this week’s article.

Having only my own presumptions to go on, I’m afraid to say that while making my way there, I was rather dreading the town might be some dreary and desolate place, echoing the Specials classic hit Ghost Town.

But on this particular evening, Witney was unquestionably alive.

The Palace is clearly Witney’s biggest club and ‘Do the Ska’, that night’s event, might well be the biggest event the Palace has ever staged.

According to some, the organisers could have sold the event twice over and I can believe it, such was the enthusiasm from the crowd.

It was palpable and surveying their vast numbers as they danced along to each and every selection the DJ made, it showed just how much the people were enjoying themselves.

In fact they struck me as having so much fun, they might have forgotten that Neville Staple, singer of the Specials and the night’s headline act, was going to be coming on (but of course as soon as he did, he was greeted by a raucous round of applause and a deafening cheer).

As a club the Palace has something of an interesting set up.

The building, clearly a former cinema, essentially consists of an entrance hall in which they have the main lower bar and then the huge main club room itself upstairs.

The lower bar not only offers drinks, but also a huge range of CDs, two-tone themed clothing and T-shirts from labels as well known as classic ska label Trojan records.

What I really like about all of this merchandise being on offer is that it shows that the Palace has worked with other local businesses to make the most out of this exceptional evening.

Especially Rapture, a local independent record store which offers a huge range of CDs.

There was something about the event that had a strong community feel, and I really liked that.

The bar itself is one of the strangest I have ever come across.

They offer £3 bottles of beer with no draught lager available, which is of course a little upsetting, but becomes frankly bizarre when you discover that while they don’t serve draught lager, they do serve hand pumped ale. Since when was that normal?

I like a pint of ale as much as the next guy, but to have that as the only option for draught beer is unheard of!

The night is rounded off by superb local ska covers band The Inflatables, who play to the crowds’ every whim and desire, delivering hit after brilliant hit, leaving everyone in the venue – myself included – reflecting on just how good the night had been.

One of the best nights I think I’ve ever been to, and unquestionably the best ska night around.