Dancing Classes At The Alhambra Palace

A Memory of Droylsden.

I used to go to Bob Dale's ballroom dancing classes. That would have been around 1956-1959 when I was 13-15 years old. I loved it there and, of course, fell in love with him! If was thrilled in later years when I saw him on TV as a judge on the original Come Dancing. The classes took place in the Alhambra Dance Hall in those days.

I had special, sparkly dancing shoes and felt very important when the wax from the ballroom floor started to build up on the sole, I remember the sort of cubby hole in the corner where that record player was and remember the privilege of being allowed in there to change the record, or repeat a favourite. I clearly remember my first lesson, first dance the waltz: back, side together, back, side close, back side whisk, forward chassis, chassis, back, side, close, forward, spin turn, back, side, close ... Ah, lovely to reminisce. I had difficulty remembering to keep my knees bent for the tango and remember being held by Bob with his hands pressing down on my shoulders to keep me down. A favourite record of mine was I Talk to the Trees, possibly Chet Baker singing, in those days. I remember Bob getting a new car - a powder blue Ford Anglia, registration number VVR857. Weird memory I have, remembering that.

I passed my bronze and silver medal tests but after that, Bob told my Mum that to continue towards gold was really more for those with talent! Subtle ...! I remember that we used to pay six shillings for a half-hour private lesson so it was probably a relief to my Mum to learn that I was no Alesha Dixon! Besides, I was doing 'O' levels then leaving Fairfild High School by then. I remember that soon afterwards, Bob moved his school of dancing from Openshaw to Droylsden. I am assuming that it was to the Droylsden class that you went. TheTop Twenty Club, was it? Incredible to think that Jimmy Savile was the regular dj there. I used to catch the number 19 (later the 169) bus to Ashton Old Road to go to that Alhambra Palace, as I lived in Droylsden, in Abbey Road, just off Springfield Road, off Greenside Lane. My bus fare, three halfpence, one way.

Do you remember the cinema at the Alhambra? And Droylsden's bug hut, the Palace? And the Carlton in Clayton, catching the Mayne's bus to get there.

Gosh! I've gone on a bit, haven't I? I hope you read my post. More memories, please. What about school and the Whit Walks? What shops do you remember?

Gill Childs