Recollections  -  Entertainment

Palais de Danse

Fountainbridge, Edinburgh

Recollections
 

1.

Eric Sloane
Emerald, Victoria, Australia

-  Bruce Peebles Workers

-  Drink

-  The Hall

2.

Paul Sutherland
Glasgow, Scotland

-  Johnny Kildare Orchestra

2.

Reply 1

Janice Kania
Wiltshire, England

-  Johnny Kildare

3.

Bryan Gourlay
Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland

-  George Marino Quartet

4.

Bryan Gourlay
Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland

-  Revolving Stage

5.

Lauren Kelly
Edinburgh

-  Palais de Danse and Bingo Hall

-  Request for Help

6.

Sharon Shepherd
Dollar, Clackmannanshire, Scotland

-  Pete Seton Band

7.

John Wilson
Somerset, England

-  Children's Dances

-  Teddy Boys

8.

Dick Martin
Borders, Scotland

-  'Oh What a Night It Was'

-  Thursday Night

9.

Harry Cadger

-  Peter Seaton

10.

Julie Starr
Edinburgh

-  Ricky and the Sapphires

-  Ian Paterson

10.

Reply 1

Stewart Campbell

-  The Premiers

-  Ian Paterson

10.

Reply 2

John Brown

-  The Premiers

-  Ricky and the Sapphires

-  Ian Paterson

10.

Reply 3

Julie Starr
Edinburgh

-  Ricky and the Sapphires

-  Ian Paterson

11.

Stewart Campbell

[Now re-numbered '10  Reply 1']

12.

Bob Sinclair
Queensland, Australia

-  "Are ye dancing"

13.

Vicki Riley (née Bollen)

-  Scrap Book

-  Tom Bollen

-  Dancing Sessions

14.

Graham Simpson
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

-  Friday Nights

-  Drinks

-  Dance Floor

-  Bouncers

-  Music

15.

David Ford

-  1950s

16.

Lex Gordon
New South Wales, Australia

-  1953-54

17.

James McEwan

-  DJs

18.

John Fraser
Inch, Edinburgh

-  Bands in the  1950s

19.

James McEwan

-  More Bands in the  1950s

20.

John Fraser
Inch, Edinburgh

-  Entertainers, 1957-59

21.

Jack Hawthorne
Crossgar, Co. Down, Northern Ireland

-  Dance Floors

22.

Hank Kaczynski
Crossgar, Co. Down,
Northern Ireland

-  Dance Floors

23.

Jack Hawthorne
Crossgar, Co. Down, Northern Ireland

-  Dance Floors

24.

Mike Cassidy

-  Manfred Mann  British Pathé film, 1964

25.

Marcin Walczac
Edinburgh

-  Video of the Palais

-  Request

26.

Bill Hay

-  The Big Bands

-  The Revolving Stage

Recollections
1.

Eric Sloane

Emerald, Victoria, Australia

Thank you to Eric Sloane for the recollections of the Palais de Danse below, from the time when he worked for Bruce Peebles engineering works in the early 1960s.

Eric  lived in the Boswall area of Edinburgh from the 1940s until 1963.  He now lives in Emerald, Victoria, Australia.

Eric wrote:

Bruce Peebles Workers

"The guys and girls at Bruce Peebles got on pretty well  and many of us used to go to the "Palais De Danse" hall on a Friday night."

Drink

"Everybody got hopelessly drunk before going to the dance and even more so inside.

It was crucial to appear sober to get past the bouncers."

The Hall

"The Palais had a revolving stage and a floor reputedly sprung with tennis balls which could make you seasick when inebriated.

Around the dance floor were tables and chairs, the floor always slippery and wet. It was very cliquey (to put it mildly).

In large part, the single lads sat on one side and the girls on the other. To ask a single girl to dance meant spying her with her mates, working up courage then crossing to the other side of the undulating dance floor for ultimate rebuffal!

The most advanced technology in the hall was the automatic photo booth, very new at the time and very popular with courting couples.

The band was really quite antiquated playing dance tunes from the previous decade. I think the Beatles put an end to that."

Eric Sloane, Emerald, Victoria, Australia -  formerly Edinburgh  -  October 2005

Recollections
2.

Paul Sutherland

Glasgow, Scotland

Thank you to Paul Sutherland who wrote:

Johnny Kildare Orchestra

   ©

"This photo of the Johnny Kildare Orchestra *** at the Palais de Danse shows my Dad, the famous John Sutherland, in his roll of dance band double bassist.

He worked at the Palais a lot in various groups and bands, as well as at the bandstand in Princes Street Gardens."

Paul Sutherland, Glasgow, Scotland:  July 28, 2008

***  In fact, Recollections 6 below says that this photo is of the Pete Seton Band.

Recollections
2.

Reply
1.

Janice Kania

Wiltshire, England

Thank you to Janice Kania who wrote:

Johnny Kildare Orchestra

"I've just read about Johnny Kildare (above).  He was Johnny Kilbride from Rumford, a village south of Falkirk.  He was my mother's 2nd cousin and we have family photos of him - and the family tree!

 As well as leading his band, he provided singers for some of the clubs around Falkirk.  The last time I saw him was as a teenager in the 1960s when he invited me to audition for him - but I'll draw a veil over that!"

Janice Kania, Wiltshire, England:  18 November 2017

Recollections
3.

Bryan Gourlay

Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland

Thank you to Bryan Gourlay who wrote:

George Marino Quartet

"My cousin's husband, George Langlands,  was leader of the band, 'The George Marino Quartet'.  He played keyboards.

The band played at the Palais de Danse for a few years in the early 1960s.  They used to come round on the revolving stage and play for about 40 minutes while the big band went off for a well-earned rest.

George tells me that the Palais’ large revolving stage was pretty primitive, and was hand cranked."

Bryan Gourlay, Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland:  August 27, 2008

Recollections
4.

Bryan Gourlay

Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland

Thank you to Bryan Gourlay who wrote again:

Revolving Stage

"George Langlands, of the George Marino quartet, tells me they often had ‘interesting moments’ going round on the large turntable at the Palais.

His quartet would be on one side and the big band on the other. The band on the dancers’ side would continue to play as they were turned round by two men ‘cawing’ the handles on opposite sides of the turntable. Sometimes, they would turn the handles that bit faster trying to unsettle the band as it continued to play its way round until out of sight – or even get a four-man crew on the job to make it whiz round.

George remembers the turntable going off the rails one evening and tilting about 30 degrees while the Joe Loss band was playing. Apparently, the band tried its best to appear utterly unfazed, determined to finish their rendition of ‘I’ll be Loving You Always’."

Bryan Gourlay, Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland:  August 27, 2008

Recollections
5

Lauren Kelly

Edinburgh

Thank you to Lauren Kelly who wrote

Palais de Danse and Bingo Hall

"I am a film student currently writing a proposal for a documentary on the building which once was the Palais De Danse. In this documentary I am questioning the future of this building, to which I currently live next door,  and its transition from the Palais De Danse to Bingo Hall, and now empty building.

 There seems to be very little information on this building's past life available, although I have noticed many contributors of this site have fond memories of the Palais De Danse."

Request for Help

"I am interested in hearing more about your memories here:

-  Did any regular events that took place?

-  What was the atmosphere in the venue?

-  Was it an expensive/inexpensive place to go out to?

-  Was it busy or quiet,?

-  Do you have any stories of unusual events?

-  What was the general feeling when the closure was announced?

-  Do you have any images of the Palais de Danse?"

Thank You

"I'd be very grateful for anyone to get in contact with me with information on this subject, as I would like to research this as in-dept as possible.

Thanks for reading and I look forward from hearing from you."

Lauren Kelly, Edinburgh:  February 24, 2009

Reply to Lauren

If you would like to contact Lauren, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to her.

Peter Stubbs: February 28, 2009

UPDATE

I'm pleased to say that Lauren emailed me today to say:

 "I've had a few replies to my personal e-mail address, from places from Canada to Australia.

It's been such a help."

Lauren Kelly, Edinburgh:  March 2, 2009

Recollections

6.

Sharon Shepherd

Dollar, Clackmannanshire, Scotland

Thank you to Sharon Shepherd who wrote:

Pete Seton Band

"My father, Jimmy Robertson, used to be 2nd Trumpeter in the Pete Seaton band in the late-1950s and 1960s.  He is the one wearing glasses, third trumpeter from the left on the back row of this photo.

©

I've also heard that The Pete Seaton band recorded a music track

Sharon added:

Question

"Does anybody have any photos of the band?   Your help would be very much appreciated."

Sharon Shepherd, Dollar, Clackmannanshire, Scotland:  March 10, 2009

Answer?

If you'd like to reply to Sharon's question above, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to her.

Thank you.    -  Peter Stubbs

Recollections

7.

John Wilson

Somerset, England

Thank you to John Wilson who wrote:

Children's Dances

"I remember when I was very young, the Palais de Danse  used to run a Saturday morning  dance for children.

It cost half a crown, and that included your lunch.  You had a pink ticket when you went in and you tore off the strip for your lunch.

All this was before Saturday Cinema.  Reading about it on your site brought back a lot of memories."

Teddy Boys

"When I was older, I remember going to the Palais and getting my jacket measured.  YES I was a teddy boy.  To think of it now, I just don't know!  A Bright pink jacket with black trim!

There was a singer who sung 'O What a Night it Was'.  They were good old days.  Something  I  couldn't work out was why at the toilets men just walked in but the girls had to stand in line."

John Wilson, Somerset England:  March 11, 2009

Recollections

8.

Dick Martin

Borders, Scotland

Thank you to Dick Martin who referred to John Wilson's memories of the Palais de Danse.

Dick wrote:

'Oh What a Night It Was'

"Dick mentions a singer and the song 'Oh What a Night It Was'.  I believe it was Jeff Rowena (Spelling?) who led the quartet and also sang.  This would be in the mid-1950s.

The song and the manner it was performed certainly raised both the temperature in the hall and a few heart beats.

Thursday Night

Thursday night was the most popular week night as it was only 1 shilling & sixpence (7.5 pence) to get in.

As well as the music and dancing there was a talent singing contest to entertain you.  I think the prize for the winner was free entry the following week. What a Prize!! The same half dozen or so guys entered most weeks."

 Dick Martin, Borders, Scotland:  August 27, 2009

Recollections

9.

Harry Cadger

Thank you to Harry Cadger who wrote:

Pete Seaton's Band

"The Obituary for Pete Seton, who had a band in the Palais, is in tonight's Evening News."

Harry, who played trombone in this band, added:

"I am sorry I have no photos of the band but if you get some let me know. I would be most interested if you hear of any recordings of the band."

Harry Cadger:  September 25, 2009

Messages for Harry

If you'd like to contact Harry, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to him.    Thank you.

Peter Stubbs:  September 25, 2009

Recollections

10.

Julie Starr

Edinburgh

Thank you to Julie Starr who wrote:

Ricky and the Sapphires

Ian Paterson

"I have been searching for some time to find some information about my father who played in a band at the Palais in the 1960's.  He was a part-time player.  He had other work during the day.

His band went by the name of 'Ricky and the Sapphires'.  (His real name was Ian Paterson.)   I believe they cut a few demo records, but I have never managed to locate any of them.

My uncle was also in the band.

I was born in 1965, one of three children but my father was hit by a hit and run incident, I think in 1971, near the Maybury Casino.  He died a year later at East Fortune Hospital when I was six years old.

Question

I know very little of my father.   I would love to find out a bit more about him and don't know where to start.

Any suggestions would be gratefully received.

Julie Starr, Edinburgh:  December 6, 2009

Messages for Julie

If you know anything about Ian Paterson or his band, 'Ricki and the Sapphires', and would like to contact Julie, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to Julie.    Thank you.

Peter Stubbs:  December 7, 2009

Recollections

10.

Reply

1.

(Previously numbered Recollections 11)

Stewart Campbell

Thank you to Stewart Campbell who read Recollections 10 above, and wrote:

The Premiers

Ian Paterson

"I knew Ian Paterson when he was playing in a band called 'The Premiers'.  I meet them in 1964.

I used to drive them all over the place in my van.  I took them down to Seahouses and to American Air Bases.

I am still in touch with Ian Ellis who was the other singer in the band.  if you google his name you will get a lot of info.

I have some photos of Ian, taken at Kirknewton Air Base.  He also played at my wedding, down here in Boldon Colliery, near Newcastle, in 1965.

Stewart Campbell:  7 January 2010

Recollections

10.

Reply

2.

John Brown

England

John Brown replied to Julie Starr's question above:

The Premiers

and

Ricky and the Sapphires

"I recently became aware of the question that  Julie Starr asked in her Recollections 10 (above) in 2009.

I was the drummer in 'The Premiers' & 'Ricky and the Sapphires'. I knew Ian Paterson well.

The band traveled to London in the 1960s to make a single, but without success.  I have a photo of the band from that time, just before we set off for London.

I hope that Julie will get this message and that I will be able to help her to find out more about her dad."

Julie Starr:  December 6, 2009

Messages for Julie and John

1.  I've sent John Brown's message (above) to the email address that Julie was using when she contacted me in 2009.  I hope she is still using the same email address now.

2.  My message (1 above) did get through successfully to Julie who went on to try to contact John.  However, it now seems that John's 'cloud' email address is no longer active.

3.  So, John  -  Can you please email me to let me know the email address that you are using now?  Then I'll pass it on to Julie.  Thank you.

Peter Stubbs:  October 18, 2014 (1 above)  +  October 26, 2014 (2 + 3 above)

Recollections

12.

Bob Sinclair

Queensland, Australia

Thank you to Bob Sinclair who wrote:

"Are ye Dancing?"

"Once when I was at the Palais de Danse - to give it its full title - a young lad of about seventeen at our table was eyeing up a lassie of about twenty-one. 'Ah'm goin tae ask her up tae dance', he announced. 

His mate said 'Dinnae be daft, she's too old fur ye'. Anyway he went over to where she was sitting with her pals and asked her if she would like to dance, with the big-time phrase of  'Are ye dancing?'

'Does yer mother know yer out?', was the reply.  Talk about embarrassed. Needless to say all her pals were giggling."

Bob Sinclair, Queensland, Australia,:  January 12, 2010

Recollections

13.

Vicki Riley (née Bollen)

Scrap Book

Thank you to Vicki Riley (née Bollen) for allowing me to reproduce these photos from a scrap book, taken at the Palais de Danse, Fountainbridge, Edinburgh in 1935.  The scrap book belonged to her father, Tom Bollen, who was leader of the Orchestra at the Palais for some time.

Tom Bollen

Thank you to Vicki for sending me some press cuttings, including this one from the Edinbrugh Evening Dispatch in 1935:

"In past years, the Palais has been well catered for in the matter of dance bands, and regular patrons will agree that the management this season have effected something of a capture.

The combination is Tom Bollen's London band and they have played not only in London, but in Canada, and the United States.

Tom Bollen, himself is an Australian, and is the champion trumpeter of that country.  In addition he has won many championships and tournaments with his instrument and has been described as the 'Silver Trumpeter'."

Dancing Sessions

The scrap book also included a few adverts for the dancing session at the Palais de Danse and press comments about the Palais.

One 1935 advert referred to two dancing sessions that day:

-  AFTERNOON,  3pm to 5.30pm: Admission 2/- (including tea)

-  EVENING, 8pm to 11.30pm:  Admission 3/-

Other adverts referred to:

-  AFTERNOON,  3pm to 5pm: Admission 1/6 (including tea)

-  GRAND SURPRISE NIGHT, 8pm to 1.30am:  Admission 4/-

In 1935 that The Daily Express reported on the Opening Ball of the season at the Palais.  This was Tom Bollen's debut in Edinburgh.  Here is an extract from the article. 

"Opening night at the Palais isn't just another dance to Edinburgh folks," writes my correspondent.  "It's an event."

So bearing that in mind so bearing that in mind some 900 odd first-nighters made their way inside the newly opened doors of the Palais last night.

Soft lights (the Palais has always been noted for its lighting and Tom (Trumpeter) Bollen greeted them."

Tom Bollen was still performing at the Palais two years later.  The scrap book above includes a '1937 Season - Admission Ticket' to the Palais for 'Tom Bollen and his 10 Anglo-Canadians'.

Vicki Riley (née Bollen):  October 8, 2010

Recollections

14.

Vicki Riley (née Bollen)

Thank you to Graham Simpson for replying to Lauren Kelly's request (5 above) for memories of the Palais at Fountainbridge, owned and managed by Mecca Entertainment.

Graham wrote:

Friday Nights

"Our crowd from East Pilton (near Bruce  Peebles) were regular patrons of the Palais, particularly on a  Friday night.) Friday nights were important because the Palais was  the best hunting ground for women, so that you could have a date for  Saturday night if you were lucky, reasonably sober and had a good  line.

Drinks

"A half dozen of us would first go to the Rutland Bar (also  called the Princes Bar) and drink enough liquid courage to chase  skirt although, as reported by another responder, it was very  important to appear sober.

I see that the other respondent mentioned  drinking inside. When I went there there was no alcohol served, only  soft drinks but I suppose a few guys would have a stash  somewhere."

Dance Floor

"The capacity of the dance floor was reputed to be 2000.  This is probably true since I have never seen a bigger dance hall in  my frequent travels, except perhaps the Hammersmith Palais in London, also  Mecca.

With that number of immature young males with high  testosterone and ready fists, selling alcohol inside would have made  the Palais more dangerous than Vimy Ridge.

Indeed there was one in famous Fountainbridge gang called the Valdar gang who frequented the Palais but were shunned and feared.

The dance floor was so big, perhaps 80ft by 200ft, that it took some nerve to walk across the empty floor to ask a girl on the other side to dance and you had to have a  Plan B so that if someone beat you to it, or the girl looked  unwelcoming, you had to be pretending to be looking for someone else, in order to safe face."

Bouncers

"The bouncers at the front door, called euphemistically 'Assistant Managers', were all dressed immaculately in dinner suits and bow ties, but they were tough and experienced.  Only fools would challenge them.

One of these 'Assistant Managers' was Sean Connery who lived just down the road. This is not his real name and I can't remember his last name but his nickname was 'Big Tam' for Thomas."

Music

"In terms of music, I think that the best session band that played there was 'Basil Kirchen" from London. I believe that also Johnny Dankworth played there a couple of times.

The Palais was a very important meeting place for young people from all over town.  It had a very modern, upbeat almost American style. It's a pity that it has ceased to exist and is now replaced with bars and discos.

The revolving stage was a particularly interesting feature:

-  on one half you had a full, swing orchestra for 'Big' music.

-  on the other a quartet or quintet for light jazz and stuff.

I remember a quartet whose name escapes me but the piano player had a tiny, live dog always perched on his grand piano.

These were the days!"

Graham Simpson, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada:  February 21, 2011

Recollections

15.

David Ford

Thank you to David Ford who wrote:

1950s

"I remember the Palais dance hall in the 1950s, where we used to meet twice a week, with its revolving stage and sprung floor - great for jiving, when they let you!   The resident ballad singer was called Henry MacBeth

Our alternative venue was The Locarno Ballroom at Slateford, to dance to the Buddy Featherstonehaugh Band (Pronounced Fenshaw, I believe).

Sometimes their back-up band was Cathy and the Kentones. I ended up on a double date with her once because her pal fancied my pal. Unfortunately, all she did was sing for me, but what a lovely woman."

David Ford, April 3+6, 2012

Recollections

16.

Lex Gordon

New South Wales, Australia

Thank you to Lex Gordon who wrote:

1953-54

"I used to go to the Palais once a week in 1953-54.  I met my wife there.

Jeff Rowena led a quartet, playing guitar. He was a tall Gypsy looking chap, probably early 30ish.  They played turn about with Basil and Ivor Kirchen.

This was my first social outings. The Palais was up the street from Regal movie hall and had the Union Canal Behind and the Rubber mill nearby."

Lex Gordon, New South Wales, Australia:  April 5, 2012

Recollections

17.

James McEwan

Edinburgh

Thank you to James McEwan for posting a message in the EdinPhoto guestbook.

James wrote:

DJs

"I remember the DJ, Raymond Paul, from Monday nights at the Palais in the 1960s.  He was  an announcer / newsreader with STV at the time

When Paul was having a break from proceedings, a guy who I remember from going into Bandparts, would take over until Paul resumed his DJ-ing.

This would have been in late-1964 or early 1965.  Does anyone recall his name?"

James McEwan, Edinburgh:  message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook:  April 9, 2012

Recollections

18

John Fraser

Inch, Edinburgh

Thank you to John Fraser, Edinburgh, for posting a message in the EdinPhoto guestbook.

John wrote:

The Palais

1950s

"I frequented the Palais Dance Hall in the mid-1950s.  I was friends with the bands there:

-  The Bill Shearer Quartet and

-  George Sumner's Orchestra.

Tommy Milliken played drums and Dick ? played the base.  I was known as Jack for some reason. Irene Edwards sang with the Orchestra. When I mention these bands no one seems to remember them"

John Fraser, Inch, Edinburgh:  Message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook:  March 27, 2013

Recollections

19

June Robertson (née Wood)

California, USA

June Robertson Wood replied to John Fraser's message (in Recollections 18) by posting this message in the EdinPhoto guestbook.

Sarah (Sadie) Nisbet

"Hi John:

I also went to the Palais in the 1950s, but I don't remember the bands that you mention.

-  The Kirchen and

-  Jeff Rowena

were the ones playing back then.

The Palais was a great place to go.  Do you remember Jean who wore a short tux.  She was the hostess.  Those were the days!"

June Robertson Wood, California, USA:  Reply posted in EdinPhoto guestbook on March 27, 2013
in response to a message posted in the guestbook the same day by John Fraser.

Recollections

20

John Fraser

Inch, Edinburgh

Thank you to John Fraser who wrote:

Entertainers

"No one seems to remember the Bill Shearer Quartet, or George Sumner's Orchestra and the singer Irene Edwards.  I was friends with them all.

Maybe somebody will recognize these names to prove I didn’t just dream about them for about two years.  This was in the period 1955-57.  I never went back to the Palais after I came out of the R.A.F. IN 1959."

John Fraser, Inch, Edinburgh:  Message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook:  March 31, 2013

Recollections

21.

Jack Hawthorne

Crossgar, Co. Down, Northern Ireland

Jack Hawthorne wrote:

Dance Floors

"Recently, I was derided on a radio programme when I commented on a dance floor being specially made and incorporating tennis balls for more spring between the concrete base and the wooden dance floor.  But I was told that this was not possible, due to cost alone."

Question

"Can anybody confirm that the dance floor of The Palais in Edinburgh did, indeed have such a floor?"

Jack Hawthorne, Crossgar, Co. Down, Northern Ireland:  September 26, 2014 (2 emails)

Reply to Jack Hawthorne?

If you can answer he question that Jack asks above, please email me to let me know, then I'll pass his email address to you, then you can try sending your message direct to him.

         Thank you.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh:  September 27, 2014

Recollections

22.

Hank Kaczynski

Annapolis, Maryland, USA

Thank you to Hack Kaczynski wrote:

Dance Floors

"I found a couple of items on sprung dance floors in England. The tennis balls were cut in half.  The balls and air gaps provided the bounce feeling.

I found nothing about the floor of the Palais De Danse in Edinburgh"

Hank Kaczynski, Annapolis, Maryland, USA:  September 29, 2014

Recollections

23.

Jack Hawthorne

Crossgar, Co. Down, Northern Ireland

Thank you to Jack Hawthorne for writing again having discovered more about the 'tennis ball floors' in dance halls.

The answer sent by Jack matches Hank Kaczynski's Recollections 22 above, but it was sent  to me before I had chance to add Hank's Recollections 22 to the web site.

Jack wrote:

Dance Floors

"This is just to let you know someone has phoned in that radio show, explaining how the floors were laid with tennis balls.

The balls were cut in half and laid flat on the concrete ,and then the maple floor was laid.  This had the effect of the balls sitting flat on the concrete, and also the number of balls needed was halved.

This subject generated quite a bit of interest on the radio show.  A few old dance hall owners phoned in stating how they made their floors slippy,  by sprinkling talcum powder on the floor.

Success to your forum!"

Jack Hawthorne, Crossgar, Co. Down, Northern Ireland:  September 30, 2014

Recollections

24.

Mike Cassidy

Thank you to Mike Cassidy who wrote:

Manfred Mann at The Palais -  1964

"Here is a British Pathé film clip showing Manfred Mann and his group entering 'The Palais' in 1964.

There's even a guy in a kilt!"

Mike Cassidy:  November 27, 2014

Recollections

25.

Marcin Walczac

Edinburgh

Thank you to Marcin Walczac who wrote:

 Video of The Palais

"I arrived in Edinburgh from Poland about 9 years ago, and currently I live in Edinburgh.   Over the course of last few years I graduated from Queen Margaret University making few short documentaries while studying.

About 2.5 years ago, I co-funded video production company: Smart Film Production, and have been co-producing numerous videos since then. I  am particularly interested in documentaries and therefore Palais de Danse appears to be perfect topic for the next project.

I am researching this subject with the Edinburgh-based writer Laura Hird.  The Palais appears to have been a very popular place from the 1930's to the 1960's.  However, I've not found  much information about it on the Internet, and I've not found  find any films being made about it."

Request

"I read on the EdinPhoto website that there was a student of Napier University researching the possibility of making documentary about Palais de Danse, but I've not found any  outcomes of that research.

Does anybody have access to any audio-visual files, any photographs, or texts on this particular place?

Do you know of any people who would have met their future husband, or wife at the Palais de Danse?  I am particularly interested in couples whose relationships began on the dance floor of this historic site.

 Marcin Walczak, Edinburgh:  13 November 2015 (2 emails)

Reply to Mercin?

If you'd like to send a reply to any of the questions above please let  me know, then I'll pass on Mercin's email address to you.

Thank you:

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh:  14 November 2015

Recollections

26.

Bill Hay

Thank you to Bill Hay who wrote

The Big Bands

"I was a musician in the big bands at the Palais for a time, and am happy to pass on a few memories.

The Revolving Stage

"I understand the floor at The Palais is still in place, so have a look!  I'm also interested in the revolving band stand.

As a musician, I helped the man turning the handle in the cage to get it going.  Was it really powered by hand or did a motor cut in?"

Bill Hay:  23 January 2016 (2 emails)

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