The Kent History Forum

Leisure, Sport and Entertainment => Nightclubs and Dancehalls => Topic started by: KeithG on June 10, 2020, 12:35:00 PM

Title: Rochester Casino
Post by: KeithG on June 10, 2020, 12:35:00 PM
Used to go roller skating here when i was 11yrs in 1959 i was in the Dance Club which was held on Tuesday but also used to go on Saturday afternoons but it used to be chaotic packed with skaters all going around in a large circle.

I had the proper black Boot Skates for men size 4 :D  as the white was for women. They were bought for me at Doughty`s along opposite the Gents Outfitter shop of Featherstones. Was a lovely sports shop also bought my wooden chess set there. My Partner for the Dance Club was the daughter of The Ship licensee at Frindsbury just a few doors up from where i lived.

The Casino had a few name changes in it`s time:

The Palace Skating Rink was opened on 23rd May 1910 by October 1910 it was called the County Rink

Kelly`s Directory of 1911 and 1913 now called Rochester Skating Rink which by 1923 was now a Temperance Billiard Hall

On 17th August 1923 now called The Palais de Dance ...Kellys agreed with that between 1924-1927

But Kellys in 1928 it was now called Casino.
Title: Re: Rochester Casino
Post by: castle261 on June 10, 2020, 05:41:34 PM
I did my skating there - during the war - On Saturday nights dancing
Dancing there to Joe Loss & his band - all the big bands came there - except Glen Miller.
Later - I went - all over Kent - London - Essex - with the roller hockey team -  great days - then.
Title: Re: Rochester Casino
Post by: shoot999 on June 10, 2020, 06:20:34 PM
I put this one up on a FB recently. From 61 I believe.


As a kid it was Friday night wrestling for me once I had earned some money helping out at the market with enough left for a half time piping hot Telfer Pie (as also sold at the Pie Stall). Saturday mornings were roller skating;  although I never saw the attraction, just used to go because my  mates did. And I remember going a few times mid-week to watch roller hockey, but I don't know if that ever caught on?
Title: Re: Rochester Casino
Post by: mmitch on June 11, 2020, 11:36:44 AM

In 1964 when my brother and I were learning to drive. We were passing and saw that Jackie Pallo was on the wrestling bill that night so we parked outside and spent the evening there instead!
mmitch.
Title: Re: Rochester Casino
Post by: Invicta Alec on June 11, 2020, 12:49:38 PM
The only name I remember on Shoot999's wrestling bill poster was Adrian Street.


Apart from the Casino he also appeared a time or two on Kent Walton's Saturday afternoon wrestling slot on ITV's World of Sport programme.
He was one of the sport's 'bad boys' and used to infuriate the mature ladies in the audience with his less than sporting foul holds and moves.
I remember he had long blonde hair and used to make a great show of preening himself between rounds. I can remember roaring with laughter at a couple of old dears wildly brandishing their furled umbrellas at him, threatening to dive over the bottom rope to set about him.  :)


Alec.



Title: Re: Rochester Casino
Post by: mmitch on June 12, 2020, 10:39:51 AM

 I saw him and several 'acts' like him (including Mick McManus!) at several holiday venues. I'm sure there were a few people 'placed'  in the audience to get everyone going!
mmitch.         
Title: Re: Rochester Casino
Post by: Smiffy on June 12, 2020, 01:34:36 PM
Mick McManus - "The man you love to hate!"
Title: Re: Rochester Casino
Post by: DaveTheTrain on June 12, 2020, 02:04:11 PM

In 1964 when my brother and I were learning to drive. We were passing and saw that Jackie Pallo was on the wrestling bill that night so we parked outside and spent the evening there instead!
mmitch.


Slightly off-topic, but Jackie Pallo used to live on the Haine Road in Ramsgate.  Throughout the 1980s his garden was full of car wrecks and junk. It became slowly more derelict and the last time I passed it was boarded up.   I see it is now being re-developed (or in the planning stages).


https://theisleofthanetnews.com/2019/06/23/plan-to-flatten-former-ramsgate-home-of-wrestling-star-jackie-pallo-to-make-way-for-6-new-properties/ (https://theisleofthanetnews.com/2019/06/23/plan-to-flatten-former-ramsgate-home-of-wrestling-star-jackie-pallo-to-make-way-for-6-new-properties/)
Title: Re: Rochester Casino
Post by: shoot999 on June 12, 2020, 02:38:22 PM
Mick McManus - "The man you love to hate!"


And probably the nicest gentle man you could meet. In real life he was the quietly spoken George Matthews who ran the HQ of Dale Martin Promotions; arranging the fight schedules and sometimes the results! He was also an expert on antique porcelain and friend of Richard Attenborough.
Title: Re: Rochester Casino
Post by: Dave Smith on June 12, 2020, 02:53:52 PM
Shoot99. I think most of them were similar. We knew one who was the father of my daughter's friend, a really nice chap who gave us a bit of insight. They're all fixed, " your turn today, etc., but they have to be super fit & know how to throw & fall without injury. There were always the baddies to keep the ladies happy shouting at them. It was their income at stake.
Title: Re: Rochester Casino
Post by: Dave Smith on June 12, 2020, 03:10:06 PM
KeithG. Those photo's brought back memories, thanks. Saturday afternoons in the mid 40's, we hired the skates/boots then & met some nice girls. A tune by Joe Loss( now, WHAT was it? anybody?) was always played. Balancing on rollers was useful when I started ice skating a few years later. Castle.  Did you play roller hockey in the team or just watch?
Title: Re: Rochester Casino
Post by: Longpockets on June 12, 2020, 05:05:32 PM
They're all fixed


Around the late sixties I got to know the doorman of a club I was a member, of who was a professional wrestler. I use to chat with him a lot and he told me he was billed to appear in Bournemouth and when he arrived he was last on the bill. He lived in Croydon and did not fancy the late return home. As the bout started he abused the referee and then struck him, was disqualified, left the ring picked, up his money and returned home to an early night. All without penalty. Is was great because after the wrestling at Croydon Fairfield Halls all his wrestling mates would come to the club to visit him. Met many of the famous names of the time.
Title: Re: Rochester Casino
Post by: castle261 on June 12, 2020, 05:26:24 PM
Yes - we played roller hockey in the 1950`s in the Kent League.  We all chipped in - one of the lad`  borrowed his father`s taxi - to run us - I started skating during the war - I noticed a lady with the same surname as our driver had become a member on here - She is not on the member`s list now.
We travelled all over Kent - Herne Bay - Folkestone - Margate & South Essex - Southend.
I played in defence. - Herne Bay was the best team in England - then. Played on the pier.
Title: Re: Rochester Casino
Post by: AlanTH on June 13, 2020, 10:29:06 AM

I did a bit of roller skating at the casino. Totally useless. Everyone used to pass me and give me a shove. I didn't bother with that bit of lunacy for too long. :)
AlanH.
Title: Re: Rochester Casino
Post by: Hodge on June 13, 2020, 02:35:04 PM
Yes - we played roller hockey in the 1950`s in the Kent League.  We all chipped in - one of the lad`  borrowed his father`s taxi - to run us - I started skating during the war - I noticed a lady with the same surname as our driver had become a member on here - She is not on the member`s list now.
We travelled all over Kent - Herne Bay - Folkestone - Margate & South Essex - Southend.
I played in defence. - Herne Bay was the best team in England - then. Played on the pier.


I think that may be me you're referring to there - my uncle Don Linnell used to be in the roller hockey team, and the Linnell family had a big taxi business in the Medway area!
Title: Re: Rochester Casino
Post by: Colin walsh on June 13, 2020, 04:18:25 PM
Not all the fights were fixed ,one Saturday ,Bert aseraty fought "judo"All Hays ,thinks got a little bit out of hand,the result was "kendo"Nagasaki jumped in the ring and hit Al hays with a corner stool ,there was blood aplenty,the St. John's ambulance men took over,I think the guy ended up at St Bart's .

Title: Re: Rochester Casino
Post by: castle261 on June 13, 2020, 10:22:48 PM
Hodge - I was about to `welcome ` the lady to K.H.F. because of the name - So you are here.
I did not wish to mention names, in case of embarrassment - We also played in London.
While we were in Southend - a motor cycle collided with the taxi - ripping a door handle - right off.
Title: Re: Rochester Casino
Post by: AlanTH on June 14, 2020, 10:03:55 AM
Yes - we played roller hockey in the 1950`s in the Kent League.  We all chipped in - one of the lad`  borrowed his father`s taxi - to run us - I started skating during the war - I noticed a lady with the same surname as our driver had become a member on here - She is not on the member`s list now.
We travelled all over Kent - Herne Bay - Folkestone - Margate & South Essex - Southend.
I played in defence. - Herne Bay was the best team in England - then. Played on the pier.

Bit off topic but I remember the Linnel brothers and they drove mostly out of Chatham Station. I owned taxis on 2 occasions in the Towns.
AlanH.

I think that may be me you're referring to there - my uncle Don Linnell used to be in the roller hockey team, and the Linnell family had a big taxi business in the Medway area!
Title: Re: Rochester Casino
Post by: Dave Smith on June 14, 2020, 11:54:46 AM
ColinW. Temper, temper!?  I suppose they were all human!  That tune, a constant when roller skating in the mid 40's, that I'd forgotten was " Woodchoppers Ball", can hear it now.