Hippodrome Orchestra
 

Does anyone have any information about the Hippodrome Orchestra from the time it was a theatre?

I have just found a letter from my late father which says ".......did you know that Ronald* was a cellist and played in Accrington Hippodrome Orchestra when it was a theatre........"

*The Ronald referred to is Ronald Greenwood, my maternal grandfather. I also believe he played in Bury Brothers Orchestra.

Re: Hippodrome Orchestra
 

That's going back a while, can vaguely remember going to see a circus there when I was 3 or 4 year old and a bloke holding a couple of lion cubs to show the kids, must have closed in the early 50s

Re: Hippodrome Orchestra
 

Roger. I have a Greenwood mate whose family was musical and artistic. I have sent him your query. They lived at 202 Burnley Rd.in early 50s. My mate's dad's name began with E. I think the library have some Hippodrome programmes. They should at least name the orchestra's leader

Re: Hippodrome Orchestra
 

Hi Bob, nice to hear from you again!

Thanks for taking the trouble.

I do have some E Greenwoods in our family, but not on Ronald's branch, but something may turn up.

The annoying thing is I had a photo of Ronald in an orchestra, but my mother destroyed it along with some others. I'm sure somebody somewhere will have a copy.

Re: Hippodrome Orchestra
 

And afterwards steak pudding and peas in the basement of Kenyons . :)

Re: Hippodrome Orchestra
 

I recall an Ice Show where the skaters took it in turns to occupy the patch of ice which was about 6ft diameter. We were unsophisticated in our entertainment tastes in those days.:rolleyes:

Re: Hippodrome Orchestra
 

Margaret R. Where was Kenyon's? I was a frequenter of Wells' shop -downstairs from street level, which was technically on Blackburn Rd but appeared to be at the top of King St, corner of Albion St. Pie & peas for 1/3d. Sometimes a double do. I recall your kid being with us, but not you, so maybe we were in different shops.

Re: Hippodrome Orchestra
 

I vaguely recall a chippy being at the top of King St but don't recall its name.

Re: Hippodrome Orchestra
 

Sorry M - I should have been asking JCB. I cannot recall a chippy there.

Re: Hippodrome Orchestra
 

Hi, do you mean Kendalls? On Blackburn Road and corner of Fox Street?

Re: Hippodrome Orchestra
 

Hi, you have got me thinking. Approx 1993 some wonderful folk came over from Canada to have a "holiday" in Accrington, whilst doing family research. They were connected to the Briggs family (Joseph Briggs having donated the Tiffany Glass to the then Museum in Oak Hill Park). During our delving in Accrington library it came to light they were also connected to a "musical" Greenwood family who had lived in Percy Street here in Accrington. I remember even having a photo blown up and framed for them of this Greenwood orchestra. The skill of being a "violinist" from this Accrington family has gone overseas to Canada, where the descendants who lived there, are, to this day violinists in a big band over there.
I will have a root and toot for you and try and come up with some information for you. Not sure where it's "hidden" in my house at the moment. Soz.

Re: Hippodrome Orchestra
 

Hi Atarah,

I think this may be a different Greenwood family, certainly Percy Street doesn't ring any bells, but a root and a toot might throw something up.

Was this Briggs family connected to the Bury Brothers? There's another thread on here about this; if so you may come accross something about Bury Brothers Ltd. where Ronald and his dad Alfred held high positions.

Re: Hippodrome Orchestra
 

Sorry . It was in the basement next to Kendalls , not Kenyons .

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My Grandfather told me that Charlie Chaplin did a one nighter here before he became famous as did Stan Laurel before he went to America.I vaguely remember him saying that in the 60's.
He also explained that the audience would pelt the artists with anything if they were not entertaining .

Re: Hippodrome Orchestra
 

My Grenwood mate cannot find a ciobnnbection with your family.

Eric Sykes played his first professional engagement at th' Hipp.

My most vivid childhood memory is of a woman called 'Koringa' whose act involved snakes and crocodiles. It turned out that she came from Haslingden.

Re: Hippodrome Orchestra
 

Thanks for trying Bob, I'm not suprised, there are a lot of Greenwoods in the area!

Re: Hippodrome Orchestra
 

Chaplin worked in British music halls, before going to America, and becoming the world's biggest film star.

In his biography Chaplin mentions playing a music hall in Blackburn, whilst on tour. So it's highly probable he played in Acrington too.

Re: Hippodrome Orchestra
 

21/03/1916 - Charlie Chaplin. Grand Theatre Accrington.
http://www.newspaperdetectives.co.uk...01916%20C2.htm

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In Accrington library...

'Lodging house visitors' books, including a visit from Charlie Chaplin in 1916.'

News : 'Wonderful things' at Accrington library

Re: Hippodrome Orchestra
 

That could very well be when my grandfather was in the orchestra. He was certainly an adult at that time (mum was born in 1920), and wasn't called up for the forces in WWI because of his poor health.

Re: Hippodrome Orchestra
 

This person has a photograph. You could contact them. They say they'll send a copy.

Hippodrome Orchestra
Does anyone have a particular knowledge or interest in the history of the Hippodrome? Among our family photographs is one of a group of people posing in front of an Accrington electric tram. There is no destination on the front just 'Special Car'. In the windows of the tram there are a number of posters advertising what must have been the current show at the Hippodrome named 'Away Down South', and portraits of a minstrel with 'blacked up'makeup. I BELIEVE THE PEOPLE IN THE PHOTOGRAPH COULD BE THOSE WHO WERE APPEARING IN THAT SHOW. (My fathers Auntie, who was from Bristol, did briefly 'go on the stage' just before the war, and she had many friends in the business.) As there is also a recruitment poster for the County Palatine Artillery- (the PALS), it would place the date between 1914 and 1918 I guess. I took the photograph to Accrington Library where the librarians were very helpful but unable date it precisely. If anyone thinks they could help I would be happy to send a copy of the photograph.
Accrington - Genealogy, Family History, Surnames and Local History

Re: Hippodrome Orchestra
 

Afraid it's not an old photograph showing the orchestra, but a good view of the building.

Re: Hippodrome Orchestra
 

Not much help to the thread starter, but of interest none the less.

NOTIOS is hereby given, that the Partnership here,
tofore subsisting between us the undersigned-
Fred Willmot, Frederick Edward Weisker, John Leopold
Weisker, Paul Vandy, William Johnson, and Albert
Lindsay Parkinson, carrying on business as Hippodrome'
Proprietors at the Accrington Hippodrome, Accrington,
in the county of Lancaster, under the style or-firm of
The ACCRINGTON HIPPODROME, has been dissolved
by mutual consent as and from the 21st day of July,
1910. All debts due to and owing by said late firm will
be received and paid by The Accrington Hippodrome
Limited.—Dated the 26th day of July, 1910.
F. WILLMOT.
FRED. E. WEISEER.
J. L. WEISEER.
PAUL VANDY.
WM. JOHNSON.
ALBERT LINDSAY PARKINSON

http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issu.../6628/page.pdf

Re: Hippodrome Orchestra
 

'Moores resumed his career as an ice skater and, in 1949, featured on an early BBC television transmission from Alexandra Palace. In the same year he was topping the bill in Ice Fantasia at the Hippodrome, Accrington.'
Reg Moores - Telegraph