Silver Blades Ice Rink

[Tasneem1967]

Here's a photo of me and some friends at the Milk Bar in Silver Blades about 1970.

This was around the time we went from Naseby school to The Silver blades to do ice skating instead of P.E. remember it well as left school in 1971 to go to college

 

[Robert Ensor (bob)]

I think a good amount of us went to the Silver Blades, but for some reason I biggest memory from there was My Ding A Ling getting played over and over as the Beeb had banded it, for those it was a song by Chuck Berry

 

[Astoness]

what smashing memories midlander63 thank you

lyn

 

[bullring boy]

I went to the opening night of The Silver Blades. It was a Saturday in May/June 1964 I think. My dad had been given tickets for the opening. I had spent the day with my primary school football team at Wembley Stadium to watch the schoolboy international (England-Germany, 0-0 draw) and when I got back on the train to I think New Street Station (although in the morning we'd left from Snow Hill) my parents and sister were waiting on the platform and we went straight to the opening night. What a strange day of incredible experiences- although I do remember being incredibly sad on the Sunday to realise that the trip to Wembley I'd been looking forward to for months was now over and finished, and my night out at the Silver Blades could never be repeated. I remember going down to Cannon Hill Park with my best mate Paul Smith (who'd also been to Wembley) on the Sunday afternoon for something to do, and trying to describe to him how miserable I felt. Later, occasionally on a Saturday morning I'd go to the Silver Blades with my cousin Kenny. I was useless at ice-skating, but it was a fun morning- by then I'd grown out of the ABC minors at the Pavillion in Stirchley.

 

[Norm Degenetais]

I went to the opening night of The Silver Blades. It was a Saturday in May/June 1964 I think. My dad had been given tickets for the opening. I had spent the day with my primary school football team at Wembley Stadium to watch the schoolboy international (England-Germany, 0-0 draw) and when I got back on the train to I think New Street Station (although in the morning we'd left from Snow Hill) my parents and sister were waiting on the platform and we went straight to the opening night. What a strange day of incredible experiences- although I do remember being incredibly sad on the Sunday to realise that the trip to Wembley I'd been looking forward to for months was now over and finished, and my night out at the Silver Blades could never be repeated. I remember going down to Cannon Hill Park with my best mate Paul Smith (who'd also been to Wembley) on the Sunday afternoon for something to do, and trying to describe to him how miserable I felt. Later, occasionally on a Saturday morning I'd go to the Silver Blades with my cousin Kenny. I was useless at ice-skating, but it was a fun morning- by then I'd grown out of the ABC minors at the Pavillion in Stirchley.

Have really fond memories of silver blades Birmingham.
I went there from 1966 thru to 1968. Didn't have much to do with any one who worked there or the mohawks.
But did most my growing up in as much as we managed under age drinking and meeting girls happy days.
Unfortunately in that growing up process when you meet someone you like you are to shy and naive to recognise the opportunity.
A lovely girl whose name was Jean and had a best friend called Carol I let slip through my fingers because of my ignorance girls can't wait forever she got engaged Andi assume married. When that happened I stopped going to silver blades ice rink. And went onto other things. One of the joys of the silver blades rink in the mid 60s was the number of pop groups appearing in the early stages of their careers such as Roy Wood ,Jeff Lynne and Steve Marriott. Any one remember those occasions?

 

[A Sparks]

Have really fond memories of silver blades Birmingham.
I went there from 1966 thru to 1968. Didn't have much to do with any one who worked there or the mohawks.
But did most my growing up in as much as we managed under age drinking and meeting girls happy days.
Unfortunately in that growing up process when you meet someone you like you are to shy and naive to recognise the opportunity.
A lovely girl whose name was Jean and had a best friend called Carol I let slip through my fingers because of my ignorance girls can't wait forever she got engaged Andi assume married. When that happened I stopped going to silver blades ice rink. And went onto other things. One of the joys of the silver blades rink in the mid 60s was the number of pop groups appearing in the early stages of their careers such as Roy Wood ,Jeff Lynne and Steve Marriott. Any one remember those occasions?

Yes, I remember bands at the Ice Rink, one was Carl Wayne and the Vikings (prior to the formation of the Move) and also the Way of Life (who John Bonham was drummer with).
They also had a band competition in collaboration with the Midland Beat music paper in 1966 and a local band who we knew won!

I must confess the bands were my attraction to the Rink, I could only just about manage to get round on the skates

 

[I Am Nico]

I never went to Silver Blades, I always wanted to but it was infamous here in Cov. Kids that bragged about going there. I liked that. My Brummie cousin was a good skater and wone medals. At silver blades. I ended up joining a roller skating club here. In a community centre. Next best thing then. I did a couple of dance competitions, failed miserably. But I did appear in Cinderella as a rabbit. The school took us to Solihull rink once and I was able to stand up and skate. Because of being a roller skater which was one in the eye for the bullies and braggers. Who didn't know I could skate. I skated in Rhyll next outside on concrete and made sure I stayed upright! I always was bottom heavy and I got muscly thighs and lots of bruises. Still have the big legs.

 

[NoelleO 64]

This is how the ice rink now looks

I am new to the forum but an old fan of the silver blades I worked in the skate hire and the first aid room could I see the old photos please so I can have a good cry noelleo

 

[Astoness]

photos posted prior to 2011 were lost due to a forum hack but some have been reposted...such a shame the powers that be cant see their way to building us another ice and rollar rink.. it would be great for city if they could do something for the younger community in general instead of building horrific sky scrappers much of will most likely lie empty for years...twas a very sad time for me when spring hill rollar rink went..

lyn

 

[NoelleO 64]

DJ's at the rink

Hi Paul. Yes now that you mention it I remember Eddie the Organist. Also a talented Guy. He mainly worked on the Dance / Family Sessions but also did a couple of the "pop sessions" with Gil Martin. I mainly skated on the "pop sessions" (as they were then called). I remember a "Ron Hargreaves" and a "Kevin Dawson" also a freindly guy called "Olly" on the main entrance. Yes I also remember "Ice Ball" it was in its infancy and starting to become popular with the skaters in the late 80s.

photos posted prior to 2011 were lost due to a forum hack but some have been reposted...such a shame the powers that be cant see their way to building us another ice and rollar rink.. it would be great for city if they could do something for the younger community in general instead of building horrific sky scrappers much of will most likely lie empty for years...twas a very sad time for me when spring hill rollar rink went..

lyn

I went there from 1975 to around 81 people could hear me .I had a big loud voice and made the noise of a seal .I new wilf o Riley the speed scarer he was so small in those days he called me over once to meet his mom bless him Halloween night was the worst in the first aid room as lots of novices went over on burst balloons.

 

[NoelleO 64]

I went there from 1975 to around 81 people could hear me .I had a big loud voice and made the noise of a seal .I new wilf o Riley the speed scarer he was so small in those days he called me over once to meet his mom bless him Halloween night was the worst in the first aid room as lots of novices went over on burst balloons.

I remember one of the speed skaters who had red coller length hair ,he was not very tall , think his name was Paul and a small girl who was one if not the fastest skaters I ever saw. long curl ley dark hair always wore Bayer red/blue/white boots.

 

[mw0njm.]

I went there from 1975 to around 81 people could hear me .I had a big loud voice and made the noise of a seal .I new wilf o Riley the speed scarer he was so small in those days he called me over once to meet his mom bless him Halloween night was the worst in the first aid room as lots of novices went over on burst balloons.

why?

 

[oldMohawk]

why?

Skaters would trip on the burst balloons lying on the ice.

I was once ice racing there and put my right skate on a matchstick which caused me to fall at speed coming out of a corner and my skates went up to the overhang on the barrier and smashed some flourescent tubes. I lay in a pile of broken glass with a few minor cuts.

 

[NoelleO 64]

Skaters would trip on the burst balloons lying on the ice.

I was once ice racing there and put my right skate on a matchstick which caused me to fall at speed coming out of a corner and my skates went up to the overhang on the barrier and smashed some flourescent tubes. I lay in a pile of broken glass with a few minor cuts.

Matchs often went off in the box while the owner was still had them in there back pocket when thy fell over on the ice burnt bums and rear calf's were common in the first aid room on disco nights

 

[NoelleO 64]

Matchs often went off in the box while the owner was still had them in there back pocket when thy fell over on the ice burnt bums and rear calf's were common in the first aid room on disco nights

Do you remember a lad red coat .a black lad called
noel. he and his blond girl friend with long hair organised a trip to Stretham ice rink only the coach driver got lost comming home took from 1100 till 4 or 5 am to get home that night.
D

 

[oldMohawk]

Do you remember a lad red coat .a black lad called
noel. he and his blond girl friend with long hair organised a trip to Stretham ice rink only the coach driver got lost comming home took from 1100 till 4 or 5 am to get home that night.
D

I don't remember the lad you mention but I certainly went to Streatham many times. I think your time at Silver Blades was a bit later than most time I skated there. Maybe you visited the Heart Beat Club upstairs.

In 1967 my thoughts turned to marriage and my skating days were over ...

My favourite days of skating were at the old Ice Rink which later became a Roller Rink. Some old ice rink photos in this long thread.

Springhill Ice rink Summerhill Road

Hi rogerstan I too had great times at the ice rink Recall going accross thr rd on skates to the pub around 9.00 and then back till the rink closed then of to a Dance somwhere. The man at the door used to check the skates you were wearing to be sure that were not hired skates. That man...

birminghamhistory.co.uk

 

[Lorraine Bennett]

Hi,where can I see the photos of Silver Blades B ham

 

[oldMohawk]

All of the photos posted before 2011 were lost in a hack attack. You can see some photos by scrolling onwards through the thread from post#285

 

[Ian Lennock]

Hi, all,
New to this forum and reading your posts has brought back so many memories of happy times. I skated at the Blades as often as I could at the end of the 60s and the first half of the 70s - started in hockey skates and then graduated (very naughty) to cut down speed skates. Ron Hargreaves was the General Manager, Kevin Dawson the Catering Manager and later the General Manager, Bernie ran the skate shop and later married Kevin, Ethel Crowe was the Chief Cashier and Brian Bacon (Crispie) the engineer. I used to hang around with Paul Hough and other whose names I've forgotten, I remember Lesley and Sue Ryder and the DJ / organists Pete Roberts and Eddie Ruhier. Please get in touch if you remember me. Cheers, Ian Lennock

 

[Mickzed]

Have really fond memories of silver blades Birmingham.
I went there from 1966 thru to 1968. Didn't have much to do with any one who worked there or the mohawks.
But did most my growing up in as much as we managed under age drinking and meeting girls happy days.
Unfortunately in that growing up process when you meet someone you like you are to shy and naive to recognise the opportunity.
A lovely girl whose name was Jean and had a best friend called Carol I let slip through my fingers because of my ignorance girls can't wait forever she got engaged Andi assume married. When that happened I stopped going to silver blades ice rink. And went onto other things. One of the joys of the silver blades rink in the mid 60s was the number of pop groups appearing in the early stages of their careers such as Roy Wood ,Jeff Lynne and Steve Marriott. Any one remember those occasions?

I remember those days. I saw Amen Corner. The Kinks.Georgie fame with Alan price. Also small faces. We used to tie towels round our shoes to stop us slipping on the Ice. Used to skate 4times a week. Great times from when it opened in 64 to 69.Did anyone skate at the old place in summerhill Road before they turned it into the roller rink

 

[oldMohawk]

Did anyone skate at the old place in summerhill Road before they turned it into the roller rink

Have a look at link below ....

Springhill Ice rink Summerhill Road

Hi rogerstan I too had great times at the ice rink Recall going accross thr rd on skates to the pub around 9.00 and then back till the rink closed then of to a Dance somwhere. The man at the door used to check the skates you were wearing to be sure that were not hired skates. That man...

birminghamhistory.co.uk

 

[Brummie a long time ago]

Wow, Silver Blades in Brum. I used to go there a lot in my last school years, 1965 to 1967. I was a competent but not exceptional skater, enough to sometimes help (girls) who had fallen over to stand up again. Anyone remember the leg clamps ? I never used them, I had a very thick and long pair of wool socks under my skates that were carefully turned over the top of the boot. (Looked cool at the time). Combined with tightly laced skates, that stopped my ankle leaning over. Really enjoyed those times. Just recently, my lovely other half bought me a pair of very similar socks just for memories. Cheers Andrew.

 

[I Am Nico]

Mine were white girl's skates blacked up. But skating in the street ruined the wooden wheels. What's a leg clamp?

 

[Brummie a long time ago]

Skating in the street didn't do much for ice skates either. The leg clamp (better name would be leg brace or ankle brace) was an accessory that you could hire with the skates. It fitted to the bottom of your skate, and was in the form of a steel rod that went up the outside of your leg about halfway up the calf, then strapped to the leg with a leather band. Stopped the ankle giving way, which of course was a weak point. Think of Tiny Tim in Christmas Carol. All my skating was on blades, only went roller skating once, took a girl who didn't like it at all. Hey Ho, you choose your priorities. Cheers, Andrew

 

[I Am Nico]

Being able to roller skate enabled me to be reasonable on the ice. Surprised s few school mates. I only went to Solihull twice but SIlver Blades was considered la créme de la créme .

 

[oldMohawk]

I regularly crossed a main road wearing my ice skates as mentioned towards the end of this old post ..

I cannot remember an organist at Springhill but I did have a short break from skating as Silver Blades took over. When Silver Blades opened I did not skate there because of the ban on hockey skates, and went to Solihull, a nice large rink, and Bearwood (ex cinema) which was so small we got dizzy skating in circles.
As discussed in our PM, I do remember the organist at Nottingham, and thanks for mentioning his name which I had forgotten. Silver Blades (Mecca) continued their ban of hockey skates at the new rink, but soon realised they had made a mistake, and relaxed the ban and also asked the Mohawks to come to the rink.
Springhill Ice Rink was built in the 1930's and apart from the decorative inner roof starting to fall down one night, had a nice feel about it, and the Christmas and New Year's Eve nights were brilliant.
I was interested in your comments about the reasons for summer close-downs to let the rising centre ground thaw out. I remember those closing nights when they switched the freezers off early and we were eventually skating on slush and pipes.
The old rink was strictly run, no 'bouncers' needed, just a smart Sergeant Commisionaire on the door to keep order, and if the manager saw you speeding in general sessions he marched you into the office of the ice rink owner James Easton who dished out a month's ban.
The rink was an alcohol free rink so during the ice dance sessions we used to sneak out the fire exit with our skates still on, to the pub across the road to have a pint. To protect our skates we had to tip-toe on the front non-working part of the blades. The pub had a special mat we could stand on .... such decadence for those old times...
The photo below is on the forum in other threads and the posh car in the centre probably belonged to the original owner of the ice rink.

 

[Julian]

It saddens me to see the old place like this, I used to be a regular at solihull ice rink, and a member of the speed skating club there, and there used to be a great friendly rivalry between the two places, it nearly brought a tear to my eye to see these photos. I remember my last visit to the silver blades ice rink, enviromental health had closed down the cafeteria and I remember thinking "how has it come to this, why can't somebody do something."

ARTHUR! Is that you? This is ME! Just saw this post and thought, "it must be Arthur Smith, brother of Dave!" We were the Wombles. Let me know how it's going. Cheers, Julian.

 

[Julian]

I regularly crossed a main road wearing my ice skates as mentioned towards the end of this old post ..

Hi Old Mohawk! We had a 80th Mohawk reunion a few years back - were you there? I was in attendance and met some Mohawks that I would never have met otherwise. I've just posted the link to this thread to the Solihull Mohawk Facebook page so you may see a few more participants shortly. If its not too much of an intrusion could I please ask your name? I've been looking at many old Mohawk photos and actually knew Ken Pendry as a Ref and Dave Boddington was my coach. I skated with the Mohawks in the late 1980's and competed at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada on the Long Track. Willie O'Reilly and I were training partners on the Short Track at Silver Blades until I had to move to the Netherlands to train on the Long Tracks. Willie went on to win two Gold Olympic medals at the 1988 Olympics and World Champion in 1992.

 

[Julian]

Name Game: Ok Brian B. (Crispie) lets see how you do, Your starter for ten is: 'People from Silver Blades Ice Rink 1965 - 1980' You get a point for everyone you remember (N.B. any with 1st & surname are in the public domain, on the web already or people I know personally) starting from the top, Ron Hargreaves GM (Grandad), Kevin catering manager & Bernie (cash desk, skate shop) Duncan Gumley Temp catering manager. Snr Steward Keith & girlfriend Carol, ast' Head Steward Pat - married Viv Marlow (head of the Metcalfe mafia incl: Tom 'the barrell jumper, sisters Pauline & Anne and that 'pain-in-the b**t' kid brother Brian). Gerry M, brothers Ronnie & Neville T, Pauline 'L' and 'make your mind up' Keith, Judy savage, Leslie 'R' and her kid sister with best friend Rachel & Sue. Bernard (never Bernie) the Instructor, Big Ron as well as Big Les, Lynne pemberton & her pals Mandy & Wendy + speedskater bro John, Clive Pass, Bob Gill, Corrinne Price & her pal Pam (those black 'spray on shorts' !!!!!) Graham Andrews, Tony Wemm, Ian Cooper ('Penny Black' & Ian are playing still) Keith Dunford, Chrissie Thomas/Badger, Mick the engineer (what was his surname, mates for 10 yrs and can't remember ??), Angela Moss, Bob Griffith, Dave Cox, Deidre Alexander, Cheryl Bolger, Sylvia Broadmore, Carol Comptom, Julie davies, Pam Tierney, Maxine barnes/Simpsom, Margaret Kenny, Gary Smalley, Dianne Jackson, Margaret reid, Mary Hollis, Dawn Bosworth/Perry, Jill Welsh, David Pugh, Jackie Wheet, Bernard reeves, Dave Roberts, Christine Broome/Rose, John Duckworth, Johnnie Morris (no, not Animal magic, he was the weekend chef in the restaurant) and last but not least George 'The Nigh....chman' by the way wasn't the DJ George ?

Ok Brian, I know you know every name on the list but it might be a good memory jogger for the rest of the bloggers

N.B. my memory isn't that good, half this list was 'nicked' from the Friends reunited 'Silver Blades' site, worth a look for anyone here who hasn't seen it, unfortunately no pics, cant believe of all the people and all the events in 'rusties' over the years = no pics, mind you, went there myself for 20 years and don't have a single snap, so can't complain, maybe we don't need photos, we keep the feeling not the mage.

If anyone wants to add additional names / memories to the list feel free.

Hi Brimar! I speed skated with Clive and Stuart Pass as a member of the Mohawks from about 1985 to 1990 when it shut down. Clive is still somewhere around Birmingham and Stuart moved to somewhere on the East coast of Canada, as did I, except I'm on the West coast. Other names in the speed skating club - Willie O'Reilly, (1988 Double Gold Olympic medallist and 1992 World Champion), Guy Bushell, Dave Boddington, Dave Hampton, Ken Pendry, Dave Farrell, Joe, Pauline and Caron New, Kim and Gary Ferran, Mick Moran, Chris Fieldhouse, Yvonne Judith, Jackie Bone, Des Lewis, Jared Heaney, Tony Mead, Mike and Mark Allen, Bernard ?, Colin Dandy, Denny Vaughn, Hellen Le Fevre, Harry Spragg (before I joined, he's now in Australia), Jimmy Redford, Ray Kemp, Joy Stokes, Rebecca Maloney, Malley Powers, John Grenshaw, Nigel Conde to name a few. Stuart Pass made our skates, Mike Allen made our blades and Denny Vaughn made our racing suits, jackets and warm zip pants. We had a Mohawks Reunion a few years back to celebrate the 80th year anniversary of the club which has had to relocate to the Solihull Ice Arena and re-brand as the Solihull Mohawks. In the early 1980's John Debney and myself created the Solihull Phoenix Ice Racing Club after the Solihull Vikings I.R.C. had dissolved so there was a speed skating presence at the Hobbs Moat arena into which the "new" Mohawks club could integrate after the Silver Blades closed its doors.

 

[Julian]

Please excuse me if this is not the right place to post photos of the old Spring Hill and Silver Blades Birmingham Ice Racing Club. Many photos courtesy of Dave Hampton.