Leodis - a photographic archive of Leeds

Palace Picture Hall, Eyres Avenue,

Description:
1970. View of the former Palace Picture Hall, shown here as The New Western Bingo Hall, located in . The building, was opened as an 800 seater cinema on Monday 26th August 1912, advertising as the Finest Picture Hall in West Leeds. The premises, formerly Armley Rink, were completely re-designed under the personal supervision of Managing Director, Councillor Ezra Hoyle. The opening film was 'The Governor's Daughter' and seats could be booked in advance for 2d (1p). Ticket prices were 2d (1p), 4d (1.5p) and 6d (2.5p). One thousand people attended the two evening performances on opening night. It was described as "The most healthy and comfortable hall in the distict, breathing area 500 cu.ft to each person when the hall is full" also the management boasted that "persons entering while the pictures are being exhibited are shown to their seats by young ladies who have electric flash lights." The Armley Palace Picture Hall closed on Saturday 22nd August 1964 with a showing of 'Summer Magic' starring Hayley Mills. The premises were subsequently converted to the New Western Bingo Hall. Here, it is advertising a £400 jackpot.

User Comments:

Name:

Don SMITH

Comment:

In the late1940s this was one of the best places to pick up 'birds',we used to try and get in the boats,thay were raised seats at each side of the cinema thay also had double seats.

Email:

anne-donsmith@shaw.ca

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Name:

Edward Deighton

Comment:

Saturday afternoons watching Brick Bradford,Flash Gordon,and the pre film entertainment by the local kids seeing who was the best singer,of course the winner was always the worst,and the clamour when the film snapped

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Name:

Elaine Holdsworth(Nee)

Comment:

I went roller skating here on Saturdays in the early 60's.It was very ramshackled & dark inside but they played good loud music.

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Name:

Fred Sanderson

Comment:

I'm with Don on this, it was our highlight of the week on Saturday night's. We used to queue from that dark looking entrance on the corner, all down the white painted wall and beyond. The roller skating rink was good for dancing too, live bands and singers, again on Saturday night's. Wonderfull times and the building looked better too. lol.

Email:

fred.sanderson@googlemail.com

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Name:

michael mcguinness

Comment:

When I started my apprenticeship my very first date was to take a girl to this cinema, I remember my father lending me his suit to wear I was all excited, my first date after leaving school. SHE DID NOT TURN UP. This would be in 1953.

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Name:

Jennifer Kay(nee)

Comment:

I also used to go to the roller skating there in the 60s. They had what they called " MUGS ALLEY" where you used to go if you couldn't skate very well.

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Name:

Brian Birdsall

Comment:

I used to go skating in the 60s, I was very good at it, I wonder if I could still do it at the age of 62? any body lend me some skates?

Email:

brian.birdsall@ntlworld.com

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Name:

Elaine Holdworth(Nee)

Comment:

Re Brian Birdsall. I went to Green Lane School with Susan Birdsall - any relation?

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Name:

Brian Birdsall

Comment:

Hi Elaine,can not remember a Susan, June was one of my relations and here brother Bobby,I lived in Lacy St, they lived in the Stapletons? Regards Brian

Email:

brian.birdsall@ntlworld.com

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Name:

Stan Wade

Comment:

I have spent many happy hours both in the Picture house and the rink in the 30ts and 40ts I lived at the sweet shop on Staningley road and I remember the soldiers being billited in the rink after the Dunkirk evacuation.

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Name:

B Hallam

Comment:

Not just for Armley folk this place. In 1959, I used to trek all the way from Burmantofts - on two buses, to the Roller-Rink on a Friday night. That I wasn't a local must have shown somehow - too often did I get skates with a knackered wheel. But it was worth it. I couldn't skate for toffee and spent most of the time in the novice area. The music was loud and fantastic - Perry Como's "What did Della wear" was always played for the three-some formation-skating. "Kathy's Clown" by the Everley Brothers was another. I'm not sure what the attraction was for my weekly trip, to do something I couldn't actually do..?? But one thing's for sure, it was a golden opportunity to see girls knickers legally. I used to see one of my peers from work there with his gorgeous girlfriend. She could really, really skate, and looked like a ballerina when she did an exibition dance. Her white-booted skates had blue nylon wheels. Not satisfied with having a beautiful girlfriend, my mate also had a two-tone Ford Zephyr. Geoff Nutter you ratbag, where are you now? I used to walk his girlfriend's girl friend home, all the way up to, and down Armley Ridge Road. Her Dad was always waiting at the door for her, he was probably on eggs. I never met him, but he did wave a thank-you. I may have been a seventeen-year old Teddy-Boy, but I was also a gentleman.

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Name:

tom walton

Comment:

i also went to sat cinema and the skateing rink, in the 60,s .i met my now wife of 43yrs there, lovely double seats for a kiss and cuddle. the rink music was great, anyone remember skateing the trio,s . +boys only, where they sped past trying to impress the girls. great days

Email:

t.walton@sky.com

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Name:

Robert Hanson

Comment:

Armley Palace was used as billets for survivors from the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940. My mother, Irene Broughton, who was born and bred down Theaker Lane remembers seeing the returning soldiers marching up Armley Road.

Date:

28-Nov-2008

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Name:

E. Pugh (Formerly Ward, nee Hogg)

Comment:

Part of the interior of this cinema is preserved for posterity in the environs of Armley Mills Museum down Canal Road.

Date:

08-Dec-2008

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Name:

Eileen Turpin

Comment:

Although I don't know much about the palace as a cinema, I did spend some happy times there when it was a roller skating rink. This must have been about 1965. The loud music, Mug's Alley and watching the people who could really skate are the things I remember.

Date:

01-Jan-2009

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Name:

Mick Agar

Comment:

We used to go to the Saturday afternoon film matinee late 1940's early 1950's. I was primary school age then. I remember 'The Scarlet Horseman' - a western about a masked lone-ranger type. There was also 'The Three Stooges' which used to terrify me - slapstick humour, but surreal, with what looked like awful violence to at least one small child. I remember the older kids used to get into the 'boats' at the the sides and chuck stuff. As somebody else has mentioned, if ever there was a break in the film there was a lot of stamping feet. We moved away from Armley before I was old enough to go skating - it was very popular then, there used to be an open-air rink nearby in the park.

Date:

03-Jan-2009

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Name:

Linda Baldwin

Comment:

Hi, i used to go skating in the 60's while my mother Hilda used to work in the little snack bar. We lived across the road in the hopes, which have since been knocked down. Also my mothers friend Mrs Huffenley who lived opposite worked in the clockroom there. Anyone remember?

Date:

15-Jan-2009

Email:

j.hargate@virgin.net

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Name:

Fred Sanderson

Comment:

Where the heck are all the thousands of lads and lasses who did all three of the venues in the late 1940s. Havn't got a computer?. well borrow one. lol Useless post I know. Cinama, Roller Skating and Dancing were all on the go at that time, not all at once. lol. A most enjoyable time was had by all I'm sure. I lived in the shadow of Armley Church, St Batholemews and attended the Church School, 1941 to 1950.

Date:

04-Feb-2009

Email:

fred.sanderson@gmail.com

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Name:

i lawson

Comment:

I used to go skating here before the war it was fun but it closed down and made into a post office for the army.

Date:

18-Sep-2009

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Name:

Christine Went (nee Rhodes)

Comment:

I used to walk from Beeston on Saturday afternoons to skate and would often come back for the evening session though that would be two buses. It was a tatty place but the rink was wonderful and the music great.

Date:

16-Oct-2009

Email:

madkatsmum@hotmail.co.uk

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Name:

s wells

Comment:

I used to go to the skating rink at the Palace many happy hours were spent by a lot of the young Armley people

Date:

21-Oct-2009

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Name:

ARTHUR J WILSON

Comment:

IT WAS A CHEAP AND CHEERFUL WAY TO PASS AN HOUR OR SO ON SATURDAYS FOR A "TANNER"[6d/2.5P].FLASH GORDON,THREE STOOGES,HOPALONG CASSIDY ETC.THE "SINGING" COMPETITION WAS USUALLY WON BY SAMMY FREEDMAN AND HIS SISTERS [RUDOLF THE RED-NOSED REINDEER].SAMMY,S FAMILY EMIGRATED TO ISRAEL IN THE FIFTIES.MR. J.P.MACDONALD AT CASTLETON SCHOOL HAD A LETTER FROM SAMMY ADDRESSED"MR.MACDONALD,CASTLETON SCHOOL,ENGLAND" A BIT GRUBBY AFTER REDIRECTION ALL OVER BRITAIN BUT IT ARRIVED SAFELY.

Date:

23-Dec-2009

Email:

ARTHURWILSON427@BTINTERNET.COM

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Name:

Fred. Sanderson

Comment:

Just a sad memory of the Palace. I was once escorting two lovely young ladys to the cinama I would be 12/13 years old in the 1940s. We got to the door, they went in ahead of me, the 10pennies I think it was, I only had 6d and dashed to the other cheap entrance, I never did find them inside. Where did you get to, the Chapman sisters?.

Date:

22-Jan-2010

Email:

fred.sanderson@gmail.com

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Name:

Anne Scotney

Comment:

I have many fond memories of going to the Palace for roller skating.I lived in Lacy Street until we had to move for the houses to be demolished.

Date:

21-May-2010

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Name:

Anne Scotney Nee Bamford

Comment:

I forgot to put my maiden name on my first comment.

Date:

21-May-2010

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Name:

sandra cooper nee stobart

Comment:

my sister susan and me used to go roller skating on a saturday. we used to love it going round in our short flared skirts.

Date:

27-May-2010

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Name:

Graham Ellis

Comment:

I was born at 6 Lacy Street and moved away in 1946-47. Can anyone tell me when the street was demolished. We lived at number 6. My father's name was Thomas Hinnet Ellis and my mother's name was Irene Ellis. Does anyone know of a street map of the area from this era.

Date:

29-May-2010

Email:

lu-fan-me@hotmail.com

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Name:

Hazel Moore (nee James)

Comment:

Just found this - great. I was one of the ones who could skate having passed up to Inter Gold Standard at Starlight Roof Skating Rink in Leeds. Sadly this closed and we used to go to Armley on Saturday evenings (I actually travelled from Wakefield) The music was great! I can remember people coming over from York for the Saturday nights too. If anyone has any more memories please email me.

Date:

16-Jun-2010

Email:

Moorhaz@aol.com

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Name:

Brian Birdasall

Comment:

Hi to Anne (Bamford)Brian Birdsall I lived at 3 Lacy St 1945-19664 I rember your family I think that you lived at the end house ? Regards Brian

Date:

18-Jul-2010

Email:

brian.birdsall@ntlworld.com

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Name:

Peter Roberts

Comment:

To: S. Wells.. it was not just the young Armley people who enjoyed this fabulous venue, I travelled every Sat (when I could afford the fare)in the late 50's from Halton Moor at the other end of Leeds, people came from miles around especialy for the skating rink. To: Graham Ellis... you are looking for a street map of Leeds... go to http://locateit.leeds.gov.uk/tithemaps/TwinMaps.aspx?township=RDP68_28_6 I promise you wont be disappointed. Peter.

Date:

11-Oct-2010

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Name:

Bob Lee

Comment:

Jimmy Saville used to be a DJ in the Palace Picture House. The WESTERN cinema is not far away and is a BINGO HALL now. A different location (Branch Road Armley ? ) and a more impressive building.

Date:

28-Apr-2011

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Name:

Irene Langton (nee cooper)

Comment:

my friend mavis and i used to go skating there all the time we loved it had a trip to Bolton skating it was fab those were the days bring em back i now live in new zealand been here foe 36 years and still in touch with my beat friend mavis

Date:

07-Oct-2011

Email:

ericandirene@vodafone.co.nz

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Name:

Mavis Lynch (nee Greenwood)

Comment:

This is to Linda Baldwin. I think I may remember you and your mum, I went to the roller rink Wed, Fri and Saturday nights with my friend Irene Cooper (now Langton who emigrated to New Zealand in 1974). We used to so much look forward to going there until it closed down, then we started going to Kirkstall Road rink - but it was never the same. We met some lovely people there and it was always exciting at Christmas xx

Date:

08-Oct-2011

Email:

mavisandjolynch@yahoo.com

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Name:

Mavis Lynch (nee Greenwood)

Comment:

My best friend Irene and I made some wonderful friends at the skating rink - used to go to Wakefield on a Sunday too. Those days were the best ever. My mum made Irene and I two bright yellow dresses to go skating in Bolton in. Wonder what happened to the rest of the gang. email me or irene if you can.

Date:

11-Oct-2011

Email:

mavisandjolynch@yahoo.com

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Name:

Marian (nee Sedgwick)

Comment:

Those were the days in the late 50s early 60s Wed -Fri -Sat nights at the rink, the short skirts,the music the friends where have those days gone? remembering those days it,s hard to believe it was so long ago. I still have my boots which will stay as long as I do.I also remember a trip to Bolton rink although it was very swish it did not have the feeling of our very own rink.

Date:

13-Oct-2011

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Name:

Mavis Lynch (nee Greenwood)

Comment:

Date:

17-Oct-2011

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Name:

Mavis Lynch (nee Greenwood)

Comment:

To Marian, Yes me and my BF Irene are wondering where these good days have gone - its strange hearing the old songs on the radio - we used to have such good fun skating. Theres a song on TV ad called Bingo, Bingo I'm in love" - I remember doing the threesome to that. Can you remember any of the others who went to Bolton? I remember a lad called Steve who lived at Hyde Park Corner - his sister Liz had an accident at Bolton being on the end of the whip and was taken to hospital. Only saw her a couple of times after that.

Date:

17-Oct-2011

Email:

mavisandjolynch@yahoo.com

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Name:

Marian

Comment:

Mavis I only remember some of the crowd I went with -Judith Grant, Peter Horner(smiler), Dave? & I think his brother Chuck, Keith Atkinson and although I can remember some others were with us I can,t bring their names to mind.

Date:

14-Nov-2011

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Name:

Irene Langton (nee cooper)

Comment:

Hi marian i remember you and often wondered what happened to the old gang Smiler keith Tony goddard i live in new zealand have done for 37 years great place haha irene

Date:

29-Nov-2011

Email:

ericandirene@vodafone.co.nz

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Name:

Stephen Clayforth

Comment:

I remember The Palace for Saturday Matinees. I lived in Theaker Lane until 1959, just round the back, and recall climbing over the roofs to cut out the walk round Eyre's Mill side (didn't think of the danger in them days). Well remember Flash Gordon, Three Stooges, various cowboy films (usually in several episodes) and stamping our feet and booing when the film broke (which it did more often than not). After 1959 moved over to the Heights Estate near Bramley/Farnley and then went to the Clifton or the Lyric (once or twice to the Pavilion at Stanningley) but never as good as the Palace. Also before 1959 used to go to The New Western, Branch Road but, again, not as good as The Palace. Came back to the Palace in the mid 60's for roller skating until it closed and then went to the Rollerena on Kirkstall Road but, once again, did not have the atmosphere of the Palace. Too modern and gaudy and you couldn't do the things we did at the Palace. Things like the Whip and the mens fast skate (recall them banning 'Bits and Pieces' because the floor was getting damaged by us stamping our skates in tune to the beat). Also, during the fast skate, pealing off and taking a detour through the 'novice area' giving them all a scare. Was very sad when it closed as it had been open a long time, apparently my father used to go there in the 20's or 30's for skating and apparently learned to dance on skates there.

Date:

25-Dec-2011

Email:

haradwaithe@tiscali.co.uk

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Name:

Mary Chipman (nee McConnell)

Comment:

My Grandfather, Charles Gillard, managed the rink and picture house from 1930-1943. This website and blog brought back many memories for my parents, Margaret(Gillard)and Frank McConnell. Mum started skating at the age of 6 and skated until the war years. She still has her white skates. She told me that her favorite night was Thursday as it was quieter and she was more able to skate properly. Mum fondly remembers the short blue top and lined full skirt that she used to wear. My father maintains that he first dated my mother as it meant free nights at the pictures. A true Yorkshireman! After 60 years, my mother recently renewed her friendship with Bill Birch, a fellow skater at the rink. After all those years, Bill also has his skates! Mum and Dad were active in the Christ Church Young Peoples Association from 1937 onwards.

Date:

09-Jan-2012

Email:

maryjchip@gmail.com

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Name:

Mavis Lynch (Nee Greenwood)

Comment:

To Marion, I remember all the people you mention, as Irene, Smiler, Keith, etc all used to go around together, cant quite remember you though. Do you know what has happened to Judith Grant as she was at my wedding to Ernest Sanders, and what happened to Smiler and Keith have tried to find them but to no avail x

Date:

07-Feb-2012

Email:

mavisandjolynch@yahoo.com

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Name:

Marian

Comment:

Mavis I do not know what happend to any of them I would love to know myself,Judith and I worked together for a while then after I got married and left we lost touch it is sad how you lose touch with so many people once again like Irene I do not recognise your name the only thing I can tell you about myself is that my dad was the caretaker of the clock school on Armley Road (Infants) we lived in the school house which faced onto Canal road, I came across some photos of my skating days wow that was a shock (but a nice one).

Date:

24-Feb-2012

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Name:

keith chapman

Comment:

I too remember happy days at the Palace skating rink in the late 50,s. Anyone remember Reg the manager,Albert the skate man and who could forget the lovely Pearl ace skater she was.Happy times doing the Whip and once flying off the end and ending up in the street,two people doing the teapot and trying to trip other people ub brill. Remember going to Belle Vue on a coach trip and also to Redcar. Remember you Marion from Armley Park School but theres another story to remember happy days there

Date:

26-Mar-2012

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Name:

Bill Birch

Comment:

Of all the comments I have only found two of pre-war skaters so I can make it three. Do the other two remember the fire at the rink in 1939? Walking in Leeds past a newsagent, I saw a Billboard "Skating Rink burned down". As a member of the T.A., due to be called up, the loss of the Rink at Armley was much more important to me than the expected war. Thursday nights at the Rink will forever be the happiest memories of my youth. By an amazing chance I was able to renew my friendship with my skating friend Margaret (nee Gillard) now Mrs. McConnell, and start a new happy family friendship. Can anyone remember my tall skating friend, Herbert that I met through a piece of chewing gum? But that is another story.

Date:

27-Mar-2012

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Name:

Marian

Comment:

To Keith Chapman sorry once again a name I do not remember

Date:

27-Mar-2012

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Name:

marion Shelley

Comment:

In about 1946, if you queued up to the right of the entrance you were going in the posh seats. Queue to the left and you were with the hoi polloi. Great memories

Date:

11-Jun-2012

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Name:

jacqueline gibson nee newsom

Comment:

I went to palace skating rink in the 1960s were i met my husband Kevin gibson also went to green lane school any one who remembers me i would love to here from you

Date:

22-Jun-2012

Email:

jacky1948@btinternet.com

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Name:

jacqueline gibson nee newsom

Comment:

I went to palace skating rink in the 1960s were i met my husband Kevin gibson also went to green lane school any one who remembers me i would love to here from you june 22 2012

Date:

22-Jun-2012

Email:

jacky1948@btinternet.com

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Name:

Mike Howgate

Comment:

Remember standing outside when a "A" film was on, asking anyone who came along to take us in....

Date:

31-Aug-2012

Email:

mhowgate@live.com.au

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Name:

david king

Comment:

spent time and 16th birthday here 1961, good times'mavis greenwood forgets to mention the skinners, wilsons, annd hazlewoods, all from armley town steet area, not far from your parents shop.

Date:

16-Sep-2012

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Name:

Christopher Watson

Comment:

In late 70's it became a leisure/sports centre. Didn't the actor Leonard Rossiter die here after playing a game of squash?

Date:

28-Dec-2012

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Name:

Wally Riley

Comment:

I used to with my mates every Saturday afternoon skating in the early sixtiesmy mate's were Geoff Smith,Mick Rowan,Ian Ward and Mick Phipps we all lived on the Spen Approach estate near West Park Leeds. Happy Days skating to good music .

Date:

10-Jan-2013

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Name:

Raymond Buttery

Comment:

Any one go skating here in the mid to late fifties. Had some great nights here. Any one went around same time

Date:

25-Jan-2013

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Name:

Elaine Foy(Nee Holdsworth)

Comment:

Hi Jacqueline I went to Green Lane from about 1958 to leaving at Easter 1964.I'm guessing you were there at the same time as me? I hated playing netball on the roof and having to walk to the 'jaily field' to play rounders. I remember some of the teachers names, Mr Carswell, Miss Lunn(Art)Mr Smith-His wife used to do crafts. Mr Robinson (who had a nickname !!. He was science teacher who threw the blackboard rubber at you!

Date:

26-Jan-2013

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Name:

David

Comment:

It's still the Great Western Bingo, the far end of the building now housing 'Steam Complex' sauna.

Date:

05-Mar-2013

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