“I had the most fantastic evening and caught up with many friends I hadn't seen in years. Deaf School were, of course, brilliant and the course of time actually added to their polished performance...the vocals were much better, which added to their natural ability, which makes you ecstatic, and shout out for more. A gig made in Heaven. I must have seen them live around a dozen times, having seen them first at an open-air gig at the close of the Liverpool School's 1st Annual Jung Festival in Mathew street on 6th June '76, and I must say that the Picket show was the best ever. Wonder if there's a recording of the concert coming up sometime? It was, also, good to meet them all again backstage later. Is it me or how is it that they don't seem to have aged a bit...particularly Steve Lindsay? We need to get them back together for another live gig in '07 [our 800th birthday year], or most certainly for 2008. I could go on, as there were so many happy memories of that night, but it would take me ages. So, I'll be brief. I need to congratulate you and your combined efforts in making it real. Yet another chapter has opened up on the 'alternative' cultural/music scene in our great city and I wish 'LoveLiverpool' and The Picket every success in its new venture. Together with the A Foundation, you are creating that special catalytic mix which will transform the Independent District into the place where futures are created and dreams made infinitely possible. So, on behalf of the city, it's musical past, present and future, I wish you every possible success. You deserve it”. LAURENCE.

“A triumph! FAB EVENING!!!!! What’s on next....? CHEERS” STEPHEN.

“What an absolutely incredible awesome gig. I was standing in the DJ booth with Norman Killen for the entire gig and I couldn’t leave because it was absolutely incredible to watch everyone in the audience SINGING every song. Utterly fantastic”. .PAUL TERENCE MADDEN.

“Saturday night at the new Picket and Deaf School was a night. I wanted to go on forever. I just feel so sad now and live in hope that it happens again”. RUTH.

“Just got back from the concert; it was everything I wanted it to be; Fantastic; even if it was like standing on the Kop. Keep up the good work”. PAUL MC.

“I haven't been able to get to a computer until now. Belatedly, then, let me say CONGRATULATIONS on that great evening you both worked so hard to bring about. Everyone I've spoken too seems to have had a great time, and those who couldn't be there are deeply despondent. Thanks for making it happen”. PAUL.

“Let’s celebrate because the Picket’s back. Congratulations Phil on putting the Picket back on Liverpool’s map. Agree with everything Peter Grant said in his Liverpool Echo review except it should have been 10 out 10 not 8! It was truly a classic occasion- couldn’t believe it, Deaf School- we both had a fab night, and me well I was reliving all those teenage memories. Thanks for having made it happen- I loved Deaf School and I loved the night ­ ‘What a way to start it all’. Refreshing that we don’t let famous people get too big for their boots because even Mike McCartney waited 25 minutes to get a drink at the bar. Thank God the City has still got people like you and Jayne because without people like you, there would be no culture, no passion, and no art. If there’s anything Ian and I can ever do, just ask, onwards and upwards, and be proud, YOU deserve it all. It is worth fighting for”! GILL and IAN.

“A big thank you for a superb evening, we had a lovely time and saw lots of people we’d not seen in ages. Good luck with the new venue- it looks great and we’re looking forward to coming along to sample its delights again in the near future”. MIKE and MARION.

“Just a quickie to say how much we enjoyed the opening of the Picket. It was a great night - Thanks so much for the hard work and dedication of the whole team, and to you - Respect for never giving up hope”. GILL and the MOGS.

“I would just like to thank you all for a great night last night at the Deaf School gig if that’s a sign of things to come then you can be sure to see more of me and my mates at the Picket. I would though like to know if I could buy one of the advertising posters for the gig anywhere I would love to have one framed on my wall as a permanent reminder of the whole night I looked on the night but could not see any. So well done and thanks once again, hope you can help me with my request”. GRAHAM.

“Fantastic to receive such good coverage. Best Wishes as always for the future! May the Picket thrive again”. ROSE.

“Thanks for a great night Phil. Great to see The Picket back. I felt like I was in New York or Amsterdam. Ps Where was your Hawaiian shirt”? PETER.

“Great stuff! You and Jayne did a great job! You must be buzzing! Everyone I've spoken to says it was brilliant”!. STEVE L.

“Just a quick note to say what a great night the opening was. Pammi and I really enjoyed ourselves. The atmosphere was really good, and the dancing was great. I must have been pissed”! JAMES.

“Robyn has asked me to drop you a note of thanks and to say that she really enjoyed the Deaf School Night - it was fantastic”. SANDRA.

“I was at the Deaf School gig on Saturday - great night, awesome gig. I notice that the gig was filmed & wondered if the video will be made available to buy”. JOHN.

“Just got to say, a very big thank you to Phil Hayes and staff, for bringing back the Picket, what a remarkable, effort it must have been to get Deaf School, to reform, for such a great occasion, the Picket in its new environment, should be supported, by the people of this city, as when you see talent like Deaf School, (who hopefully we will see again in our great City of musical culture), the people involved should be given a big pat on the back, and rewarded, by people attending the new venue, and supporting the bands that will appear. Deaf school, don’t let it be the last time, you saw the crowds, and what support you can attract, it was quite unbelievable, to see one of my favourite 2 bands, again, the other being the Beatles, and HEY!! both from Liverpool, a place Phil Hayes fought long and hard to keep live music, and the chance to see deaf school again, Well done Phil, you have a lot of peoples support in the city, see you soon at the new Picket”! PAUL and KATHY.

“Thank you so much for Saturday night. It was a night I'll never forget. The atmosphere and the air of celebration was fantastic and Deaf School were astonishing. Thanks a lot mate. Pity I didn't get to see you. But what a night. Lots of love”. JEFF.

“Thanks for Saturday night at The Picket Deaf School like the Picket rocked, all the best for 06/07/08/09 in fact many years to come”. ALAN.

“Had a great night Saturday. We all enjoyed it. Lots of old faces there as well. Good to see you’re 'back in business'. Put me back on your mailing list”. GRAHAM.

“I'd just like to say a massive thanks to you and everyone at the Picket for putting on a brilliant night last Saturday. I really enjoyed myself and it was so good to meet old friends again. As usual, Deaf School played a blinding gig, which brought back so many memories for people like myself who used to see them in the 1970's-this old bugger felt like he was 18 again, the only thing was in those days I wouldn't have had to soak in a radox bath the next day to recover from all the dancing. Keep up the good work and best of luck with the new Picket”. JOHN.

“Thanks for being the stubborn old sod you are and refusing to lie down and die. The new Picket is absolutely fab. Great venue, great area, and good to have the street area too. I had a wonderful night, was even asked to dance by a rather nice young Lady! The very best of luck with the new Picket”. MICK.