THE RINK

 

The Queens Rink Ballroom in Clarence Road, Hartlepool was one of the places to visit during the 1950's and 1960's. During its heyday people would dance the night away to their favourite pop group or big band. For me personally I have fond memories of the old place - dancing there as a youngster and, in later years, playing on stage with The Trakkers. Therefore, it was particularly special when local lady Pamela Swift invited me to take part in a Rink Reunion on April 23, 2005, which took place at the Borough Hall, in Hartlepool, to re-live some of those happy days we all enjoyed at the Rink - which had long been demolished.

The 60's Rink Nostalgic Reunion poster which has been edited to remove private telephone numbers. Revival took the place of The Hartbeats.

This was taken just before the afternoon rehearsals at the Borough Hall - a beautiful Fender guitars collection owned by Ron Blair of The Plainsmen - a 1962 Stratocaster, a 1957 Stratocaster and a 1988 Telecaster.

Mark Lewis of the Tony King Sound, playing at the Queens Rink Ballroom, in Hartlepool, in November 1967. He played the Hammond organ in the band – but this was taken during the only song he played on guitar. He remembers it well he says - it was "Love Is All Around" by the Troggs. These days Mark is a resident in Spain and lives on the Costa Blanca.

Kenny Allen at the Rink playing Mark's Hammond organ. He was the bass player in the Tony King Sound and an excellent vocalist, too!

This photograph, from Paul Flush, was taken at Tito's Night Club in Stockton, August 1967, and shows, in the back row, Terry Metcalfe (vocals) Peter Trundley (bass) and Paul Flush (organ) with Russ Nicholson (Trumpet/Bandleader) Johnny Blackham (drums) and Al Flush (piano) in the front.

Paul says: "My father, Al, helped me out at the club by playing piano for a while since my music sight reading wasn't that good yet and we had some pretty big acts to play for. "The first week was Billy Eckstine so you can imagine, at sixteen, I was very nervous!"

"Interestingly, the grey jackets we are wearing in the photo were the band jackets from the Rink for the previous five years!"

"It's a pity that more photos of the Rink don't exist – they were exciting times in the pop music world, those kinds of venues providing major outlets for the groups of the day. The equivalent of stadium gigs now, perhaps!"

"The only major group not to play there were the Beatles. If I remember the story correctly, they were booked but not contracted and pulled out due to some probably much better offer."

Paul also recalls another quick story about the Rink: "In 1966 I was very excited because Lulu was playing on one of the Friday 'name' group nights - she had just had her hit with "Shout."

"Naturally all the boys at school fancied her and I thought I would get to meet her, of course. Her over-protective management wouldn't let anyone near her backstage though, so it was a big disappointment for me. In all these years playing professionally with all kinds of artists our paths never crossed again until New Year's Eve, 2005 when she was co-hosting a TV special in Belfast. I was MD for Tony Christie on the show and our tour manager (who also works for Lulu occasionally) promised to finally introduce us. Unfortunately, in the chaos at the end of the show she left very quickly and I thought that, once again, I had missed my chance. Luckily however, we were on the same flight the next morning and she recognised me from the show - so after a 40 year gap, since that night at the Rink, I did finally get to meet her!"

This press cutting came to us courtesy of Barry Cox and was featured in Hartlepool Mail on November 2, 1989. It features Russ and the Nichols with Tony Kindlan, ex-Rock-Avons on guitar, Russ Nicholson, the Queens Rink band leader, Keith Berry on bass and Barry Cox on drums. The other members in the photo with brass instruments are from the Queens Rink Band - the baritone player on the left is Billy Codling and the tenor player, on the extreme right,  is Jack Carter - brother of former drummer George Carter. It was after this time that other members came on the scene - female vocalist Heather, wife of bass player Keith Berry and Terry Metcalfe.

The Queen's Rink was demolished sometime during 1968.

The Rink's Last Dance in Hartlepool Mail. Click on the photograph to see a slightly larger image or go to Hartlepool Mail website.