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Embassy Roller Rink Walford Road

Re: Memories of the Embassy Roller Rink

Hi Karen
Thanks for the great photos! All those smiling faces too shows how much they enjoyed their skating. I only skated at the Embassy in Waldorf Road. I have so many happy memories in fact some of the best days of my life. I put my grand-daughters roller boots on the other week but I soon found out that in my mind I could skate but unfortunately my legs couldn't! Still dream on!!!
Barbara
 
Love the grand entrance. The building as still there when I worked in the area.
 
It was used as some part of the munitions program during the WW11 remember seeing the shell cases moving along the conveyor line past the open doorways one summer when going up Conway Rd with my sister.
Later used the skating rink when I was about 12/13 years old. Remember coming off the rink onto the rubber matting of the café, stopped you dead in your tracks.
Also the problem of getting a half decent set of skates when you rented them, truly a case of first come best served.
Cheers Tim.
 
Was it also once the sportsdrome ? This 1949 programme of a boxing event is for sale on eBay. Viv.

image.jpeg
 
I remember going to watch the boxing there but it was not the best venue for it. I also used the Austin and J. Lucas on Shaftsmoor Lane where the bouts were held in the canteen , on Friday evenings I believe.
 
I have just had a thought, I may be wrong but I have a vague memory of watching wrestling at The same venue as well.
 
Fascinating to see a photo of the embassy Roller Rink - I gather it was part of the Sportsdrome. I think this is the rink where my late Aunt trained at with the Birmingham Speed Skating Team - I know that she and her friend went on to skate for the British Team. In fact the first ever British Women's Speed Team were all from Birmingham - Pat Kirkham (who I remember meeting without any idea how good a skater she had been), Doreen Aspley (as she was then and later Campbell, my Aunt) and Marlene Worrall.
 
Janice

You don't give a year for your aunt, but is she among these youngsters in 1949?

Sparkbrook Embassy Arena 1949.jpg
 
Sorry - should have said. Early 1950s so 1949 is a bit early. Think she went to the World Championships in 1952 or 1953. When on laptop will post website showing her and Pat.
 
I am now back on my laptop so can post links. Doreen married my Uncle in 1956 so it was before that but she was skating when I first met her in about 1954. On this site it says more about Pat - the golden girl of roller speed skating but my Aunt is the middle girl in the photo of 3 part way down the page.

British Skating Legends

A site dedicated to British skaters who have made an impression in the global sport of roller speed skating and whose exploits are considered legendary
www.britishskatinglegends.com
 
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pjmburns said:
I am now back on my laptop so can post links. Doreen married my Uncle in 1956 so it was before that but she was skating when I first met her in about 1954. On this site it says more about Pat - the golden girl of roller speed skating but my Aunt is the middle girl in the photo of 3 part way down the page. https://www.britishskatinglegends.com/kirkhampat.htm
Click to expand...
Notice in your "link" mention of the present day Birmingham Wheels Club. My two nieces were members there for some years and the one held the British Championship for her age group.
 
Maria Benton, Jack Roberts and Norma Hawkins, international skaters in October 1939. Viv.

image.jpeg
 
Ah the Embassy roller rink! I absolutely loved the place and went nearly every night all the way from Northfield on two buses then on a Saturday and Sunday too, I believe they opened in the afternoon on a Wednesday too. I was onsessed with the place. Eventually my Dad brought me a second hand pair of roller skates with white kid boots attached, I was over the moon. I met my first husband there in 1957and that was the end of my skating.embassy 12.jpg
 
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welcome anita i felt the same way about spring hill rollar rink...hope you enjoy the forum

lyn
 
carrie said:
Stan handed out the skatess and also acted as a second at the wrestling.I used to sit in the front row with my Dad every week. Iwas given a kiss for i think my eleventh birthday by Kendo Nagasaki who always wrestled in a mask.Conrad Davies promoted the wrestling and some of the wrestlers played snooker with my Dad (he had a full size snooker table in the attic), we lived in one of those rambling houses in Walford Road. My husband was in the speed skating team and still has the scars and missing elbow to prove it! Amazing how three little words "Embassy roller rink take you back 40+ years
Click to expand...
hi carrie,,,is your name styler,,,,,i knew your father and bought my first car from him,,,,a wolseley,, 680, [wished i still had it],he was a true character,,,very funny man,,,,i used to see him on monday nights at the wrestling,,,,where did the years go?
 
Christina said:
Happy memories of Embassy Roller Rink. I use to go there and my mum and dad paid for my first skates, lovely white boots. My mum made my skating dresses, all my hand. One year we had the tv people there to show skating, not only figure but the speed as well. I was in it, which was so exciting. My dress was yellow satin, with green underskirts, not that anyone would see the colours as it was all in black and white then. Jean Pheffan (can't remember how to spell her last name) was the resident teacher there, she was world champion quite a few times. I had private lessons with her as well. I remember taking my first medal skating a waltz with her to the theme from Carousel. We lived in St Martins Flats then so it was only a short bus ride away. How I loved it.
Click to expand...
Hi Christina - I think the spelling of Jean was Phethen but not too sure. I too took all my NSA medals there whilst a member of the figure and dance club held on Sunday afternoons. Spent all my teen years there until I got married. Does anyone remember those Sundays? - Heather nee Benton
 
Benton said:
Hi Christina - I think the spelling of Jean was Phethen but not too sure. I too took all my NSA medals there whilst a member of the figure and dance club held on Sunday afternoons. Spent all my teen years there until I got married. Does anyone remember those Sundays? - Heather nee Benton
Click to expand...
Jean Phethean!
 
Benton said:
Tried to get on to above but it stated "not found". any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
I notice I posted the link 10 years ago and it looks as if it has gone out of date. Try the one below
www.britishpathe.com

Newsreels, video, archive, film, footage, stills - British Pathé

British Pathe, the world's leading multimedia resource with a history stretching back over a century. The finest and most comprehensive archive of fabulous footage and stunning stills.
www.britishpathe.com www.britishpathe.com
Scroll down it to see possible videos .... :)
 
Phil said:
Janice

You don't give a year for your aunt, but is she among these youngsters in 1949?

View attachment 120885
Click to expand...
I was a dance club member and "went out" with 4th top row Graham Clare for about a year. Jack Struggles is 3rd right top row, Second row 1st is Bunny, 4th Leon with future wife in front of him. Happy memories! Where are they now?
 
oldMohawk said:
I notice I posted the link 10 years ago and it looks as if it has gone out of date. Try the one below
www.britishpathe.com

Newsreels, video, archive, film, footage, stills - British Pathé

British Pathe, the world's leading multimedia resource with a history stretching back over a century. The finest and most comprehensive archive of fabulous footage and stunning stills.
www.britishpathe.com www.britishpathe.com
Scroll down it to see possible videos .... :)
Click to expand...
Many thanks for that - it was interesting to see the standard in those days. It must have been held at the Summer Hill Rink which was originally an ice rink where the seating and cafe arrangements were far superior to the Embassy Roller Rink in Sparkhill, Birmingham. However IT WAS THE LARGEST!
 
Vivienne14 said:
Maria Benton, Jack Roberts and Norma Hawkins, international skaters in October 1939. Viv.

View attachment 122818
Click to expand...
On the left is my Auntie Marie and her partner Jack Roberts who represented GB in international competitions. Auntie Marie introduced me, Heather Benton, to roller skating at The Embassy Rink in Walford Road, B'ham where I took all my NSA medals for dance and figure skating. Spent most of teenage years there. Happy days. Anyone remember me?
 
Benton said:
Many thanks for that - it was interesting to see the standard in those days. It must have been held at the Summer Hill Rink which was originally an ice rink where the seating and cafe arrangements were far superior to the Embassy Roller Rink in Sparkhill, Birmingham. However IT WAS THE LARGEST!
Click to expand...
I was an ice skater and spent many happy years at the rink before it became a roller rink. My forum avatar gives a clue ... ;)
Edit ps ... if you have not already seen it there is the thread below ..

Spring Hill roller rink

A lot has been written on spring hill ice rink. but it later became a rollar rink. does anyone have any memories. i used to go there in the late 60s early 70s. me an my mates would jump the no 8 bus from nursery road at least 4 or 5 times a week. if memory serves i am sure that the DJ les ross...
birminghamhistory.co.uk birminghamhistory.co.uk
 
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rollerrinklass said:
roller rink

Hi Darby
Cannot recall the name sorry, but I always was rubbish at names! I started skating in/around 1956, I remember the chaps used to tip the guys giving out the skates, they always reckoned they got a better set of wheels(with out the flat, worn out wooden wheels that made a humming noise!) But as you say whether they did or not? Do you remember Keith Hearne ? he worked in the skate shop, he is married to a very dear friend of mine. I still have scars on my knees from bad falls on that wooden floor! Best time of my life though!

Barbara Howells
Click to expand...
Does anyone remember Peggie and Staff, Jack and Iris, Stan and Peggy from the early fifties at the Embassy?
 
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