Pete Jacobs and Martin Gardner of Coventry based telecommunications and data systems installation company Active Communications, first became business partners when they were both involved in local band Channel-A. Pete was the keyboard player and Martin the bands Manager, their vocalist Stan Campbell went on to be the lead vocalist in the Special AKA, and famously sang on the Free Nelson Mandela hit. While their former guitarist Eddie Bruneau is in ska band the Allskas, and Pete himself was once a member of ska band Special Brew.

“We have always been big 2-Tone fans over the years” said Pete, “and have been in business together for 28 years. So we wanted something special to celebrate, something to put up on the office wall".

"We recently attended the Fundraising concert for the 2-Tone Central Museum, and Roddy Radiation’s award for playing five sold out nights at O2 Brixton Academy in the Specials came up in the auction. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it, I was determined I was going to bid for it. About £360 pounds later, I won it, it’s an amazingly rare piece of memorabilia, with Roddy’s signature on the back, and it’s really going to take pride of place on the wall. I’m so happy the money is going to help create 2-Tone Central, we are Coventry born and bred and it will be a great addition to the city, and heaven knows we need a new venue”.

Photograph. Paul Roberts 2-Tone Central Trustee (left) hands over the award to Pete Jacobs (right)

www.2tonecentral.co.uk

www.myspace.com/channelaband

www.thespecials.com

www.specialbrew.info