[Rock and Roll at the Locarno]

Hi Katyjay,

I did not know any of the other girls, but to let you know Jan is now a Carlton Girl, She Has a Daugter, Kristy, & four Gorgeous Grandsons. Oh & me as well.

[Rock and Roll at the Locarno]

I used to go to the Locarno on Tuesday nights in 1962. Was that teen night? I went with the 5 other girls in the punch card training centre at Raleigh. We all started the same day having all left school Xmas 61. I don't remember much about the place except we'd all dance in a circle with our handbags in the middle, on the floor. I wonder where these girls are now, anyone recognise a name. Janet Fearon, Margaret Haigh, Marlene & Margaret Fitzgibbons [they were non-identical twins, all lived St Anns', Bluebell Hill, that area] and Sue Johnson Ah memories.

I took Janet to work each day from about 67/68. Were you still there them

[Pecks of Colwick Road]

Would this be the cricket Bat Factory in Netherfield Pecks? Played with one of then, he kept wicket for Carlton

[Embarrassing Moments]

Hi Carni,

Your Mistery Bridge, about a month before your post I set off complete with dog to cross this bridge from the Burton Road Conway Road Junction I entered the cricket field and walk along the cinder path. The first thing I noticed was the public toilets had gone, how inconvenient I though, then I noticed the Dyke had gone, Kids cannot have any fun any more came to mind, Bearing in mind that the hour was late and darkness had fallen, I finally arrived at the railings protecting the line from the local kids. More railings were in front of me, newer ones. The bridge has gone love!

Elsewhere in this tread someone mentioned the crossing on Victoria Road had gone, alas this is not true, it still remains the main escape route to Netherfield in the early hours for the toerags that have been out theiving in Carlton & Gedling.

[Record & Music shops]

Hi Cliff Ton.

This photo of Nequest's has got me going. I recognise the area as opposite the Empire Theatre but can only remember it as part of the old Post & Journal Building where there was an entrance to a basement Snooker Hall full of Nottingham's Finest Husslers.

Re. Drury Hill record shop, it was situated on the right going down about 20yds after the bend. About opposite the Plumbers (Webbs I believe) and just before the Café.

Thinking back, The building in your picture is also very like the one which housed Elston & Hopkins Billiard Hall on the first floor near to the present day Stage Door (not the pub) I stick with opposite the Empire, but either place would have been appropriate to have a music shop. Do you know when the picture was taken.

[Record & Music shops]

No, that was Quasimodo.

But in factual mode, one of the best sheet music shops was Nequests, at the top of Central Market. For Records it was Trevor Budworths shop on Drury Hill. Does anyone remember Trev.,married to Amber Vandella, The local stripper who performed on Wilford Grove in the Meadows. I forget the name of the club.

[A Few More Old Photos]

The area occupied in the photo of Burtons Supermarket to the right of Paynes Ironmongery was previously the Station Bridge, a solid iron structure about 8ft high, this was duplicated on the opposite side of Parliament St between Clinton Street East & Clinton Street West and again at the other end of the Clinton Streets where they met Thurland St. This was the Ironmongery area of nottingham.. Paynes as in the Photo, opposite this was Carr& Co on Parliament Street & Thomas Danks on the corner of Thurland Street. One other ironmonger was on Glasshouse St called Broughtons. At this time, when trains left the station to enter the tunnel under Thurland St there were clouds of Smoke/steam coming over these iron walls. They were still there in March of 1960 when I last used the station.

[Rock and Roll at the Locarno]

Hi Lyn,

Tell me, if you know, when did the Vic Ballroom become The Locarno? I an aware of the change but cannot for the life of me understand how I missed the change.

[Hello from Carlton]

Hi piggy and Babs,

What can I say. How about, as that French Charlie said, 'Oh yes, I remember it well !

Kindest Regards,

Bazalways

[Hello from Carlton]

Hi Mick2me,

You ask about the clubs. When I first hit the Big City thre were no Clubs, we had something much better, Dance Halls, Everyone was on Display , you could see across the room, everyone was there to dance & with few exceptions everyone would take to the floor with you. It would seem strange today to see a young fellow walk up to a girl & mutter the word 'Creep' followed by them both setting off in an anti-clockwise circle both smiling but not talking for at least half a revolution. When the music stopped they would either walk off the foor, stay for the next dance or retire to the bar. It was that simple. No Hassle, No Hey Shes Mine. What lovely memories More about the Dance Halls My first one was the Victoria Ballroom on Monday & Friday Nights. These were teen nights 2/6d each or 2/6d per pair with a ticket on Monday Nights. The 'Tickets' were handed out as you left on Friday nights to coax you back on Monday,

On one of these nights, I forget which, every month was a talent contest, three of four singers accompanied by the resident Al Washbook orchestra. One of these singers was a guy called Alan, He pops back into my memory bank some years later as the resident compare at the Heart of the Midlands, a venue I have seen mentioned elsewhere on this site & I an sure some members will remember his surname. What was his name? Anyway my other main venue in the early 50's was the Astoria Ballroom (The Barn). Every Thursday Friday & Saturday a Big Band played there, Ted Heath, Ken Mac, Joe Loss Jonny D all of them were there Thusday was Cheap night Friday & Saturday the Popular Nights. Another good venue was the Queens Hall where the sprung floor moved up & down a good 8 inches (200mm for the younger readers) when such as Kenny Ball & the Saints Jazz Bands were playing on a Saturday Night. I hope this type of info is of some interest, if not tell me to shut it. I tell you later about the clubs and other things that may be of interest.

[Nottingham clubs in the 60s - 80s]

I am suprised to note that in mentioning the Belvedere Club there is no mention of one of Nottingham 's finest Jazz Men (& Alberts Partner) Ray Kilby. Many of their old patrons were at Rays Funeral about five years ago.

The Blonde behind the bar with Marylin was Jane.

Another Misquoted Partnership mentioned was at the L Shaped Room. Not Mick & Dave it was Mick & Billy. (Billy Grinsell) Billy was a fine Tenpin Bowler & at the time of his early demise he held many records at the Then Excel Bowl in Nottingham.

[Hello from Carlton]

Having registered a week or so ago, I have been looking around the site at the various topics & comments from what appear to be intelligent people. I look forward to trading words with you.