Hippodrome Orchestra

R

rtbarton

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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.
 
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
 
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
 
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.
 
jaysay said:
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
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And afterwards steak pudding and peas in the basement of Kenyons . :)
 
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:
 
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.
 
Bob Dobson said:
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.
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I vaguely recall a chippy being at the top of King St but don't recall its name.
 
rtbarton said:
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.
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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.
 
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.
 
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 .
 
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.
 
johnenglish said:
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 .
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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.
 
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