The Orchid Ballroom Purley Near Croydon
A Memory of Croydon.
Did anyone ever go dancing in the Orchid Ballroom, back in the 1950s? I most certainly did, even though I was only approaching my 17th birthday!
This superb dance venue, with its huge floor, revolving bandstand and some of THE best dance-bands in the country was hugely successful in those long-gone days and was the place where many lasting relationships were formed.
One evening I was lucky enough to be there when "Come Dancing" was being broadcast! What a privilege that was.
Another memorable night was when Victor Sylvester and his Orchestra were guesting there. The great Victor, so elegant as he conducted his small ensemble.
Although the place no longer exists as a dance-hall the memories of it linger on. I can still see myself walking down the carpeted steps to the pay-box on the left, searching the crowd within to see if I knew any of the dancers.
One evening I asked the resident bandleader if we could have their version of 'Jezebel' which had been in the top ten with Frankie Laine belting it out. No problem he said, and their male vocalist did a marvellous rendition of that lusty song.
I've no idea what that building is used for now. I do know that it was THE best place to go for ballroom dancing back then. It will live forever in my heart and memory.
Philip Harfleet
pg.harfleet@googlemail.com
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School, The highlight of my time there was the night we went dancing at The Orchid Ballroom at Purley, The orchestra, the size of the hall and best of all The sprung floor I can't remember who danced with, I think he was Italian, we danced non stop all evening