THAT CARLTON MAGIC – PARTS ONE & TWO The very name, the Carlton, will immediately conjure up happy memories for many Style readers. Situated on Great George Street off Drake Street, the Carlton‘s heyday was many years ago. But, on its 50th anniversary, in 1984, the Rochdale Observer had a column called Memory Waltz where week after week readers wrote in with special memories of this ballroom’s role in their lives. It was quite clear that many people had met their future partners at the Carlton. At least one couple even had their wedding reception at the Carlton! The Carlton Ballroom opened in 1934 and was an instant success; the building was a former wool scouring mill. The new ballroom was described in the County Borough Directory as a “Super Ballroom, Cafe and Restaurant... reputed to be definitely superior to any dance hall in the North of England” with a cushioned floor, “entirely of Canadian maple”. There was room for over “400 couples without crowding” and room for between 250 and 300 people sitting on the balcony, later known as "The Rack". Even in wartime, a 1941 newspaper advertisement promises Freddie Platt and a 12 piece orchestra,
along with the La Fleur Ballroom Organ! There was dancing six evenings during the week and afternoon sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Weekday afternoon sessions cost 6d admission, while the most expensive ticket was Saturday night at 1/6 (that is just under 8p!). Members of His Majesty’s Forces “in uniform”, we are told, “will be admitted at reduced charges every evening”. Clearly, like the many cinemas in Rochdale, the Carlton was welcome respite from a world of rationing and blackouts. During one air raid warning, the Freddie Platt Band played on until the all clear! Bands that played there also included Ernie Mills and Les Moss. These were big bands, playing music for dancing. Picture in your mind the versatile resident band on BBC1’s “Strictly Come Dancing” and you will have some idea of the setup. These bands quickly and expertly learned and then performed their own versions of the hits of the day. The 1950’s brought rock ‘n’ roll and a new generation of Carlton dancers. Much of this music was played on actual records, so we were seeing the birth of what later became known as a disco. In February 1957, there was serious debate in council meetings over the question of schoolchildren attending lunchtime rock ‘n’ roll sessions at the Carlton. It was reported that on one Tuesday 262 pupils from twelve schools visited the ballroom with the nearby Boys & Girls Technical Schools “providing the largest numbers”! This led to the directors deciding not to admit schoolchildren to future lunchtime sessions, bringing in an age bar. In November 1956 the Carlton was purchased by the Mecca organisation. Between 1956 and 1959 there was an eight strong Black Panthers dance troupe which consisted of 17- 20 year olds. The troupe’s personal trainer was former boxer Johnny Butterworth and Ernie Mills, the manager of the Carlton, supplied shirts with logos. In December 1957, there was a gala night to celebrate the completion of the ballroom’s alterations which included a revolving stage and two new bars. Mayor Alderman Thomas Rose described the improved Carlton as “stupendous, Colossal and magnificent”! The Carlton continued, providing a dancing venue for different styles and ages.
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