A new Chairman! Peter takes over from John at the Annual Dinner. See our report Journal of the Journal of the Journal of the Journal of the Journal of the WATLING TLING TLING TLING TLING STREET STREET STREET STREET STREET CL CL CL CL CLUB UB UB UB UB Jul/Aug 2016 Jul/Aug 2016 Jul/Aug 2016 Jul/Aug 2016 Jul/Aug 2016 Volume 9 olume 9 olume 9 olume 9 olume 9 Issue 1 Issue 1 Issue 1 Issue 1 Issue 1 S S S S S T T T T T R R R R R E E E E E E E E E E T T T T T WISE WISE WISE WISE WISE S S S S S T T T T T R R R R R E E E E E E E E E E T T T T T WISE WISE WISE WISE WISE
14
Embed
WAAATLING STREET CLUB Issue 1 S T R E T · WAAATLING STREET CLUB Jul/Aug 2016 VVVolume 9 Issue 1 S T R E E T WISE S T R E E T WISE. ... He sledged partway across the Ross Ice Shelf.
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
A new Chairman!Peter takes overfrom John at theAnnual Dinner.See our report
Journal of theJournal of theJournal of theJournal of theJournal of the
Penny is obviously too young to havebeen at the California Ballroom duringthose great days in the 1960’s, but she had put together a history of the venuebeginning with its origins when the California pool opened as a popular outdoorswimming pool in 1935. The ballroom, built by Edwin Green was situated in frontof the pool located at the bottom of Dunstable Downs and opened in 1960. Ithad two stages, one each end of the dance floor, with a bar above one of thestages. It soon became the place to go to soak up the music and see the bands/groups of the day. Ray Miller was the resident band for the first two years andthe popular local group the Barron Knights were regular performers during theearly 60’s.Edwina Green, Edwin’s daughter was heavily involved in the running of thevenue, and in later years so was Edwin’s grandson Mick Ilka. They wereresponsible for bringing some really topline groups and performers to thestages. These included the Rolling Stones in 1963, followed by many others inthe years that followed; Jimi Hendrix, P J Proby, Pink Floyd, Slade, who in 1972attracted 3500 to the venue. Bob Marley came along with Johnny Nash and TheClash appeared in 1977. Edwin Starr, Hot Chocolate and The Commodores withLionel Ritchie, who didn’t go down too well with the Cali audience who didn’tappreciate his slow ballads. James Brown also made an appearance.DJ’s at the Cali included Carl Edwardsfrom 1968-71, Paul Gray and evenTony Blackburn and Noel Edmonds didtheir bit.Sadly, facing more and morecompetition from other new localvenues such as the Queensway Hall andCeaser’s Palace, the venue eventuallyclosed in 1979 and the site re-developed as a housing estate. But,that wasn’t the end for the fans as theCali-R lives on and still runs verypopular events at local venues such asthe Leisure Centre and in marquees atthe Dunstable Rugby Club ground.Newly installed Chairman PeterHorstman thanked Penny for her verypleasant and interesting talk.
7th July
CaliforniaBallroom
1960-79
Once again John and Hazel had
planned an interesting walk for the
small but intrepid group of ‘Watling
Walkers’. Having negotiated the
narrow lanes, we arrived at the
John Bunyan Pub at Coleman
Green.The family run pub made us
very welcome and after parking our
cars , a welcome coffee and
selecting our lunch menus, we set
off. First of all along the route of
the old Roman road. This was now
just a track past beautiful ancient
trees.
Watling Walkers May 2016Watling Walkers May 2016Watling Walkers May 2016Watling Walkers May 2016Watling Walkers May 2016
John had done his research and
regaled us with lots of local
knowledge on route. He did
however let slip that this was also a
cunning ploy to collect up the
stragglers and provide a brief
respite if needed. We passed the
beautiful old Manor House which
was where John Bunyan had
stayed when preaching in the area.
The house at the time was owned
by Mr Coleman who was one of the
preachers’ supporters.
Although John and Hazel had
forgotten to order our usual
sunshine, we did not get wet, It
was great to enjoy the sights of
all the fresh new spring leaves
and flowers which lined our
route.
This report and photos by
Sheila O’Hara
The humans were accompanied by
our four legged friend who
thoroughly enjoyed the walk , but
appears to give a mixed reception
to the pocket history .
We walked along the banks of the River Lee.
which was which was very beautiful with banks
of yellow irises and shimmering reflections.
Shingles was delighted to go for a swim in fact
was reluctant to come back out of the water. This
stretch of the river must be one of its prettiest on
its journey from Leagrave Marsh to the Thames.
Lots more information on this really
interesting walk was provided on the
noticeboard being digested here by
some of our walkers then onwards
towards lunch at the John Bunyan.
Here we met the non walkers in the
party and a very good lunch was
enjoyed by all, including Shingles who
was welcomed into the bar as a well
behaved dog and rewarded with a dog
biscuit. Thanks once again to John and
Hazel for organizing such an enjoyable
event.
Jim Page
Our own Jim a film star?? Well not exactly, but a regular film extra,
certainly!
On this occasion Jim told of the call on his mobile, which is kept on
at all times awaiting calls to action, requesting him to attend the
production of a film called ‘Youth’. He was to arrive at the location,
Wimbledon theatre, by 9.00am and sign on at the next door building,
a working men’s club. He was required to arrive wearing a dinner
jacket, bow tie etc. as there would be no changing facilities. On
arrival he found he was amongst 450 other extras!
The gathering was served a breakfast, then asked to enter the
theatre and sit in the stalls where the director of the film would re-
arrange them into seats and explain what was expected of them.
Clearly they were effectively an invited audience and were required
to applaud at times in response to a singer or a short burst of music.
As this is the film industry, there were several ‘takes’ during the
course of the day which ended at 5.55pm. Any later and they would
have to have been paid overtime.
The next day followed a similar pattern except that this time they
started in the theatre at 1.00pm sitting in the circle where there was
also a ‘Royal’ box populated by lookalikes.
This time there was a full orchestra, a singer and ...Michael
Caine....no less, as conductor. (He got an unscripted round of
applause, of course)
Again the process of applause and re-takes until the day ended
again at 5.55pm.
Later, when the film was released, Jim and Chris went to see the
film and were delighted to see Jim in a 5 second mid-screen
sequence......fame at last!
Jim ‘s talk was both entertaining as well as informative and he was
thanked by Chairman John on behalf of the members present.
12th May
EXTRA TIMEAdventures of a film extra
LAKENHEATHOur visit to the USAF base
This was an excellent trip organised by Steve
Allen and John Davis. We were met at the
gate by this airman who escorted us for the
whole trip, introducing us to other airmen
and women as we visited various locations.
I think the highlight was to see
two squadrons of F15’s take off
and roar into the air, disappear-
ing into the clouds as they
wheeled over the sky. What a
noise!!
The fuel depot with the huge fuel tendersThe static display of historic US jets at the base
The memorial wall behind the static display
19th May
The memorial to WWII fighters
One of the F15 jets racing into the skies
We had great fun
trying on the heavy
bullet proof body
armour, gas masks and
helmets.
Thanks to the organis-
ers for a great dayout.
The radar display control room
He’s chatting up my wife ...again! Three little girls....are we..!
Mike didn’t like the first one, so he tried lots more Three little girls....are we..! Sorry Dave.
DINNER at the Woburn HotelDINNER at the Woburn HotelDINNER at the Woburn HotelDINNER at the Woburn HotelDINNER at the Woburn HotelJune 2016June 2016June 2016June 2016June 2016
The CHAIRMANThe CHAIRMANThe CHAIRMANThe CHAIRMANThe CHAIRMAN’sssss