Parklands Ballroom
Wheatley Hall Road, Doncaster

Organiser: Malinda Lygo
Tel: 01302 884 707

Doncaster Just Keeps On Dancing!

Parklands Rock 'n' Roll is part of the Christ Church Charity Dances which were founded by Malinda Lygo some twelve years ago with all the proceeds going to local charities. The dances which have been a huge success and help raise thousands of pounds for charity have also generated lots of business for the club. Malinda loves dancing and is assisted by Terry Barker. Newcomers are always made welcome at Parklands Ballroom whether experienced dancers or total beginners. The dancers are all such nice people who enjoy ballroom, sequence, rock 'n' roll as well as a good old natter.

Frank McKone rediscovers his memories at Parklands:

Rock Me!

"One could be forgiven for assuming almost all of Doncaster's 1950's original Rock 'n' Rollers would long ago have hung up their jiving shoes and consigned their gear to the back of the wardrobe along with their memories. Well, one could make that assumption, but after a visit two weeks ago to the Parklands Ballroom situated in Wheatley Hall Road, Doncaster, I realised that my wife and I were not the only ones from that era who could last and enjoy three hours of solid pulsating live Rock 'n' Roll music and come up without gasping for air; well, almost!

It's difficult to describe now, 50 years on, the incredible effect the onset of Rock 'n' Roll music had on the young dancers of Doncaster, and of course the whole country. My introduction to ballroom dancing was, like many other young people, at Berry's ballroom, now Cliff's outfitters.

After mastering the art of dancing the waltz, quickstep and foxtrot, most dancers moved on to regular sessions at the Co-op or Bath's ballroom. The Co-op was always considered a little upmarket to Baths, and I can still remember the compere, Mr. Green, gently waving on any couple daring enough to let themselves get carried away by a bouncy number by indulging in a little impromptu jiving.

The Bath's Ballroom by contrast, seemed to encourage what seemed to our parents an almost decadent approach to what had always been such a serene and graceful pastime. I am sure that many readers of slightly more mature years than today's disco dancers will revel in their memories, as I do, of the late Len Boot orchestra lifting the roof and literally the floor, with their unforgettable version of 'Woodchopper's Ball'. As the tempo and volume increased, so did the frenetic gyrating jiving of the young boppers. After such a session, it was a relief to drift contentedly around the ballroom ensconced in the arms of some woman, to the beguiling voice of the resident singer, Kathy McKinley.

The main difference to those halcyon days of yesterday and the above night at Parklands, was the huge variation in ages of the dancers at the latter occasion. There were plenty of Grans and Grandads rocking the night away like effervescent teenagers, but incredibly, indulging themselves with just as much style, verve and enthusiasm as their younger fellow jivers. There were almost as many 20 - 40 year olds rocking with the dedication of veterans.

It is heartening to realise that so many people of all ages can so enjoy a night of unfettered Rock 'n' Roll after all those years and especially when it's to the superb vibrant sound of live music produced by the Scunthorpe band, Whisky Pete & His Jivers, a band that normally play only Country. They only play Rock 'n' Roll music for Malinda to support her charity.

It is to the tremendous efforts of Malinda, who organises these events for charity, that this band and others are happy to perform in this hugely successful monthly night of Rock 'n' Roll. These sessions are held the first Tuesday of each month starting at 7.30pm. There is a small entry charge."

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