20 - Scarborough Review, January - Issue 17
Golf pro Tony has Elvis down to a tee! Boro’ Biography
By Pete Spence pete@thescarboroughreview.co.uk SOUTH Cliff Golf Professional Tony Skingle has been shaking up the Scarborough music scene, performing as ‘The King’ Elvis Presley for almost two decades. But it was back in 1962 in Chesterfield where the journey all began for Tony. He said: “I was born in Chesterfield and my dad Bob was an electrician and mum
Tony takes to the stage as ‘The King’ Elvis Presley
A Poem
by Callum Day
Maureen a nurse at the hospital. “Throughout my upbringing I idolised my father who was a very keen golfer. I used to go along and take it all in and wanted to learn not just how to play the game, but everything about it. “Most kids would be off out with their mates after school, but I would be straight down to the local course, even when it was dark.” While many of his friends ended up working down in the pits, Tony’s passion for the game of golf took him on a different course, one which saw him turning professional at the age of just 16. Tony, 52, added: “It was tough turning pro at that age but I was determined to work very hard. In the winter months I would labour on worksites to fund my pursuit of my golf career, which was very expensive for a lad from a pit town. “I played in as many tournaments as possible over the coming years until I got sick of the travelling and wanted to settle down. “In 1993 the opportunity of the club professional job came up at South Cliff and I knew it would be a perfect fit for me and the family as I absolutely love it on the coast.” Tony has been at the club ever since but his career as a musical performer, unlike his golfing career, came purely by chance. Tony explained: “ I was out on a stag do with my mate Steve Raybould in 1995 and
we ended up going into the Lord Nelson where they had a karaoke competition on. They were short of singers so everyone started asking me to get up as I was always singing everywhere I was. “I got up there for a bit of a laugh, singing Elvis, who I am a huge fan of, and I won! “I went on to another round and then to the finals in Driffield. To say I was shocked when they announced me as overall winner and prize of £1000, is a bit of an understatement.” The karaoke conquest led to Tony performing as Elvis at the old Corner Cafe complex on Scarborough’s South Bay, and as his popularity increased, so did his venues and shows. For the past six years Tony has had a huge New Year’s Eve concert at Scarborough’s Spa Complex, and he is all set to help us welcome 2015 in style. He said: “New Year’s Eve has been huge at the Spa, and to have it in the Grand Hall and sell out each year is amazing. “I can’t wait for this year’s show which will be as big and bold as ever with lots going on all through the evening. Doing the Elvis gigs has also allowed me to give something back as I always look to support local charities with the revenue made from the shows.” And will Tony be hanging up his Elvis wig and costume any time soon? “I will still be up there at the age of 99 and a half! I just love entertaining!” he added.
front of them from a view they would never forget. Half-time, thinking caps on, change of tactics? Hot dogs, fizzy drinks, sweets hot chocolate. That’s now what does the future hold?
Ravenscar, such an isolated community, yet so popular and never losing its touch to welcome all, plenty of life. A new generation of people combining with other generations. Full of questions, interest, history. Maybe, just maybe all is not lost.
Tony and his dancers from Scarborough Dance Centre
Tony and his number one fan, wife Gill n To see if there are any last minute tickets available for New Year’s Eve at the Spa Complex ring: 01723 821888.
Memories... …Just Memories
A connection between two towns Scarborough and Whitby both, once thriving with steam and smoke for a very long time, very relied on. A railway, lots of villages relied on, long gone, a connection, between Whitby and Scarborough no more, forever gone but still loved, still accessible, still beneficial. Stations, isolated, trackbed recognisable, scenery altered thanks to vegetation and new coming buildings. Scarborough, a town, forever shadowed, a connection, a connection, forever lost, with lots of memories, descending quicker, quicker. How landmarks are here one minute and gone the next. A photo, only shows half the story, looking at foundations, trying to work out what was here before and what is here now, sometimes a frustrating task. Oh Mr Marvel’s Once a family haven, a plot of land, thriving, with laughter, life, love, forever gone. Nothing but a site of the past, sadness, rust, rubble, abandoned, cut off, unknown to strangers who are far and near. The older, wiser, cleverer taking memories, happy memories with them, diaries, photos, videos, to share with loved ones and future generations. A Stadium standing, as I look through the Carlton’s passenger window, full of life, people queueing dad’s, sons, mothers, daughters, loved ones. All excited to see their town, their inspirations, role models, icons, play in a lively, passionate atmosphere. Children, adults seeing their town play in
The future answered my question. Black metal gates, that would remain closed, a sponsor logo still shown at the entrance. Tears, coldness, isolation, damp, drip, drip, drip. Shadows, darkness overcoming light, rot, footballers voices, sound of boots leaving the dressing rooms. Children never understanding at first, what happened? Why? Lost and lost. Moments, thoughts, answers unexplained, yet coming to light. A chance for children to enjoy these moments from loving parents seeing classic entertainment. Providing a service, an honour, a variation for all, what is left? A big yellow building on the sea front, that Ken Dodd and Dicky Mint would return time and time again with a show nothing but happiness for a sold out audience With Ken Dodd and Dicky Mint in Scarborough providing laughter that no other comedian could ever match, now... ...gone, lost. A building standing but empty awaiting its fate. All is not lost as I stand at Ravenscar in the grounds of Raven Hall looking, looking locals, tourists. As I look over to Robin Hood’s Bay, how time has changed, no railway, but roads, yet a town, always, always a place worth visiting, still plenty of characteristics and connections.
The town centre in Scarborough? Take a photo, look back at it in ten years time, what is lost? Who knows? What is next? Who knows... ...what is next... ...to go... ...
Boro’s former Athletic Ground (McCain Stadium) has been left to ruin