Re: Rollerama - great Harwood
 

There were two roller skating rinks - one in Harwood and one in Rishton.
The one in Harwood was called Mercers and the one in Rishton was simply called Rishton Skating Rink.

I remember falling on my arse many times in both of them.

Re: Rollerama - great Harwood
 

When Skinner had it, it was called Towngate Social Club, He sold it when he bought Martholme Grange, It did burn down and I remember Fred comming to a Barfitters that I worked for in Sabden to get new tables and chairs when it was refurbished after the fire, I actually went to the reopening

Re: Rollerama - great Harwood
 

I remember the rink at Gt Harwood well, I have a photo of myself aged about 7, taken there. It would be around 1963.
In the 70's it was a nightclub, owned by Fred Skinner, went there a few times too.

Re: Rollerama - great Harwood
 

Some of the local kids (in Accy, Willows Lane area) used to mention a roller-skating rink in Snuffy. This would be around the early 1950s. I never went, I couldn't even stand up on my roller skates when they were in the box!

Re: Rollerama - great Harwood
 

in the early fifties harwood skating rink was owned by len mercer his wife was cashier son john skate mechanic I am quite friendly with his son also called john he lives in accrington but can be found most friday nights in the rishton tory club john senior ran a shop on whalley road near to were the star cinema was dealing in any sort of tat Marion mercer lens daghter was a champion skater skating al over the uk and abroad norman the oldest son was the most famous one being captain of the england roller hockey team through he fifties and sixties untll the sport declined The great harwood team when it was at its peak was as follows j banks goals j talbot full back then norman mercer in mid rink position alan barton wing brothers tommy and albert birtwiistle the goal strikers transport for the team and there supporters was by walter barnes rishton luxury coaches

Re: Rollerama - great Harwood
 

I use to go roller-skating in Great Harwood in the early 60's, it was a bit rough and ready. I remember the guy who ran it use to use horse liniment on any cuts and burses, and there where plenty of those plus the odd broken bone.

Re: Rollerama - great Harwood
 

we just called it, the skatin! haha i have a facebook group for it, its called rollerama. go see! theres lots of old faces on there.

Re: Rollerama - great Harwood
 

Went roller skating up Harrod in the 60s, they also used to play 5 a side footy up there. Any body else remember that?

Re: Rollerama - great Harwood
 

This is the son who use to own the gt harwood phonix rolleramma!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

john Boast did not own it! when it was a skating rink! It was Jack Galloway and David Galloway who bought it from fred skinner when it burt down. We rebuilt it and it was a rink again!!!!!!!!!!!! john boast bought it after and then it was made into a snooker Hall!

Fact sorry guys you all got it wrong!!!!!!!!!!!! and when fred had it it was a skating rink and a gambling hall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Rollerama - great Harwood
 

norman mercer trained me and others in the 80's where we went from 2 division to 1st :-) thanks to morman and tommy and fred :-) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Rollerama - great Harwood
 

After it had burnt down that's when Fred bought Martholme Grange which was originally opened as a nightspot/casino/eatery, but just after it opened the rules changed on casinos and that part was shut and later opened as a carvery, before Fred actually sold it to Alan Begbie, I was there the day Fred did the deal

Re: Rollerama - great Harwood
 

hi i am michelle robinson "mercer" i am len grandaughter and mum was marion the world champion , i remeber the roller rink very well and so do my three brothers we spent many hrs with are mum and dad and are grand parents there we were the kids running round lol, mum passed away in 2010 and my father this yr ....

Re: Rollerama - great Harwood
 

hi I remember the roller rink as it was my grandad len who owned it and then my parent s took over marion mercer married name winder , tom my dad .We were all taught to roller skate nt as good as my mum as she was world ,europe and uk champion .We have got lots of old photos of the rink as len loved to take photos all the time of us kids , len passed away when we moved to northcliff of china flu . then uncle john died next of a heart attack and then norman and then my mum in 2010 .It was agood part of my child hood and some very fond memories.

Re: Rollerama - great Harwood
 

Now I know why you are familiar Cashman, always knocking young girls down!!!!! Only kidding, used to go there every Saturday afternoon.

Re: Rollerama - great Harwood
 

i seem to remember calling it phoenix?