'C' Jetty Union Dock looking across towards Gray's shipyar buildings. Queens Rink Ballroom on right. Rolling stock with pit props in the foreground.

The Tommy Lough Orchestra 'always good dancing at the Rink is on the banner under an advert for Michael Wilding in Into the Blue at the Odeon which was released in 1950.

The band were resident at the Rink in the early 1950s. In Hartlepool Mails for 1950 and 51, the female vocalist was Lynn Burns, Al Bowring played Cavioline and Saxophone and Joe Dennis was also a vocalist. In1952, Mabel Bew was shown as a female vocalist. Therefore the lady on the image could be Lynn Burns or Mabel Bew.

Date unknown but probably mid to late 1940s and the image is taken at The Rink.

Brass instruments from left; Albert Butler, Arthur Brown, Cliff Linley, Tommy Lough, Alan Snowden

Saxaphones from left: Johnny Whitfield, Bob Thompson, , Jackie Farrar, Jackie Walker, Alf Boddy, Bill Watson.

Pianist is Harold Marsden, bass Bill Woodhouse and on the drums Tom and Les Loynes

On 30th July 1967, the Moody Blues, who were famous for records Nights In White Satin and Go Now in the 1960s,as well as many albums, appeared at The Rink.

Around that same time, the venue had many other famous guest acts including The Tremeloes, Wayne Fontana, Billy J Kramer, The Nashville Teens, Swinging Blue Jeans,Manfred Mann, The Yardbirds, The Fortunes  and Hedgehoppers Anonymous.

Note that it cost a mere 6 shillings (30p) to watch a 'big name'. The Hartbeats were a local band Who often performed as did Russ and the Nickels.

There were only soft drinks available at the venue and many people went to the Rink after a few drinks in the local pub. 

Group of people enjoying a night out at the Queen's Rink Ballroom in Clarence Road, West Hartlepool in 1952.

Jean Lawrence (nee Gasciogne), middle row, second from the right, and the rest of the Sports Committee at a meeting in the Rink in December 1954.

Known locally as "the Rink". This photograph was probably taken around 1966.

HHT+N 701

The back of the Queen's Rink Ballroom, Clarence Road circa 1970. 

Steam locomotive watering tower on the docks. Wagons containg pit props behind. Note the gas lamp. The Queens Rink Ballroom can just be made out on the left.