The "Vic" Ballroom Late 50's early 60's

[StephenFord 866]

We did ballroom dancing lessons in some of the games periods at Long Eaton Grammar School. Richard Guise, who was at LEGS around the same time as me wrote a book entitled "Lead us not into Trent station" and his highly entertaining description of the dancing lesson can be read here http://www.legsreunited.org.uk/trentstation-detail.html

[Stan 386]

Used to visit the Vic on a Friday lunchtime (record session) in 1960 from the `Tech' Came across a bloke who I had started school with in September 1945. He used to fight with everyone. A real tough little b.....d. He went on to Becket but got `transferred' out and came to Mundella. I met him again at the Vic in the 60`s and went to say hello but he was `guarded' by a really unpleasant couple of thugs who seemed to think I was about to offer some form of violence to him...fat chance! He ( Pete Coffee ) had been I believe been involved with the St. Anne`s race riots.as was another schoolmate John Hardy. So I can believe a chap was thrown over the balcony,the Vic was an explosive place in those days.

Johnny went on to become a well liked and respected member of society and when he died from acute asthma had a huge funeral from his many mates( I was in Australia so missed it). Never did know what happened to Pete though.