Dancing at Church Con 1955/7

wapthrush · 24-09-2014, 20:59

Any one ther e ever go dancing at CHURCH CON about 1955.Jimmy Middlehurst was the organizer.I remember a few of the names of the would be dancers Joe Rushton George Hyatt Kevin Cooney Cyril Yates Geoff Kirkham one of the Martins (cake shop in Osw) Norma Rushton Irene Tattersall Pat Broadhurst Alwyn Whitely Pat Littlefair. Great times not a lot of us left

keith higson · 26-09-2014, 05:43

I used to go up the Con before I went into the Army in 1956, Fred Skinner took over from Jimmy Middlehurst Didn't Geoff Kirkham come from up Church St way near St James in 1956School.

wapthrush · 26-09-2014, 08:56

Hi Keith,Geoff Kirkham lived in Church his family ran a coach business I think he still lives in the west end

Barrie Yates · 26-09-2014, 19:11

Can't even remember where the Con was, Kirkham's garage was opposite the Tanpits pub I think - stored my car there when I was posted out to Borneo in '63.

MargaretR · 26-09-2014, 19:26

In the late 50s Church Con was the Saturday night gathering place for Teddy boys.
I only 'went out' with a ted briefly. He took me to the Con and I recall a massive fight that filled the dance floor - people stood on the chairs around the room sides to watch - I never went back !
The place was notorious for its 'Teddy boy battles'
It still stands-
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Chu...,309.06,,0,2.8

davidf · 26-09-2014, 20:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by wapthrush

Any one ther e ever go dancing at CHURCH CON about 1955.Jimmy Middlehurst was the organizer.I remember a few of the names of the would be dancers Joe Rushton George Hyatt Kevin Cooney Cyril Yates Geoff Kirkham one of the Martins (cake shop in Osw) Norma Rushton Irene Tattersall Pat Broadhurst Alwyn Whitely Pat Littlefair. Great times not a lot of us left

In 1959 I used to work with a George Hyatt. Thinking of his age at that time he may well have been the George Hyatt you mention, but because he was a few years older I only knew him at work. A nice guy.

Barrie Yates · 27-09-2014, 00:13

[QUOTE=MargaretR[/QUOTE]

Thanks Margaret, It wasn't my stamping ground - Morts, Knowlemere St, Ritz, Accy Con and one or two in foreign areas - burnley, Nelson & Rawtenstall

keith higson · 27-09-2014, 01:54

Yes you are correct, Fred Kirkham first started in the West End Area, then he moved to a shop in Church Kirk Lane (on the right going towards the Church just up from Grimshaw St), his shop was one of about 4 (Butchers, cake shop, Fish and Chips). Geoffs sister married an Accrington Stanley Footballer , I think he was called John Ryden, and was transferred to Tottenham Hotspurs. Further if my memory serves me correctly the Kirkhams then moved to an House on Blackburn Rd opposite the Lodge near the Queens Hall.

keith higson · 27-09-2014, 02:38

An amendment to my post#8. The street in Church was "Church St" not Church Kirk lane, and the footballer could have been a chap names "McNicol". Please forgive me but the events were 60 years ago. Ihave to get back to my malt whisky.

cashman · 27-09-2014, 06:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by keith higson

An amendment to my post#8. The street in Church was "Church St" not Church Kirk lane, and the footballer could have been a chap names "McNicol". Please forgive me but the events were 60 years ago. Ihave to get back to my malt whisky.

That would be Bob McNicol, keith, a good fullback,one of me childhood idols.

jelly baby · 27-09-2014, 23:14

Fred Kirkham, Bob McNichol and their families died in a plane crash en route to the Canaries around 1970.

cashman · 28-09-2014, 11:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by jelly baby

Fred Kirkham, Bob McNichol and their families died in a plane crash en route to the Canaries around 1970.

Think it would be mid/late 70s? cos i was living in church at the time.?

keith higson · 29-09-2014, 02:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barrie Yates

Can't even remember where the Con was, Kirkham's garage was opposite the Tanpits pub I think - stored my car there when I was posted out to Borneo in '63.

The Con Club was on the right going up towards Ozzie, about 1/2 way between the junction of Blackburn Rd. Fred Kirkham started off by carting for the NEL Dairies (West End). My father was in the Kings Own Regiment in the early 40s Fred moved My Mum, self and sister in the front of his wagon from Lancaster to Church.

I am saddened to hear of the tragic death of the Kirkham's in the 70s. Vale

Frank Sanderson · 09-01-2015, 21:45

The whole family was killed, the pilot was given a bearing by Spanish Air Traffic to fly straight into mount Taedie It left only Geoffrey, God bless, he must have suffered.

Frank Sanderson · 09-01-2015, 21:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by wapthrush

Any one ther e ever go dancing at CHURCH CON about 1955.Jimmy Middlehurst was the organizer.I remember a few of the names of the would be dancers Joe Rushton George Hyatt Kevin Cooney Cyril Yates Geoff Kirkham one of the Martins (cake shop in Osw) Norma Rushton Irene Tattersall Pat Broadhurst Alwyn Whitely Pat Littlefair. Great times not a lot of us left

Jimmie Middlehurst used to give dancing demonstrations and suddenly, the lights went out, and he and his partner were lit up with fairy lights. It was very spectacular.