THIS week in Yester Years we are looking at when dance halls were among the most popular venues for entertainment in Warrington.

Dozens of dance halls were in place across Warrington and six in particular were popular in and around the town centre.

Some of the venues are still going strong today but most of them are long gone.

The one venue that attracted the most dancers during the heyday of the dance halls was the Parr Hall, in Palmyra Square.

On Friday night it had ballroom dancing and jiving.

And when the last waltz came on, it was a duty for the man to see his partner home safety to her front gate.

It remains well used for Northern Soul nights as well as live music today.

Warrington Baths, which was demolished more than a decade ago, was also popular.

The gala swimming pool was covered with huge boards for dance night and at the last waltz, when most of the people were on it, it sagged under the weight.

Many dancers feared it breaking, like the famous scene from Christmas classic It’s A Wonderful Life with James Stewart, and all of them finishing up soaking wet from the water beneath.

Fletcher Russells was also popular on Wilderspool Causeway.

Also worthy of mention were the The Bell Hall on Orford Lane, the Co-op on Winwick Road, and the smallest, Bennetts, at the back of The Rendezvous café, opposite the Bank Park Golden Gates in Sankey Street..

At that period various inter-dance competitions were held, such as, Parr Hall versus Bell Hall – judged by three independent panellists.

Warrington was a hive of activity all week for entertainment – especially with the volume of cinemas and shops which also packed in to the town centre.

Although dance halls began to lose their impact in the latter half of the 20th century until they were completely phased out.

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Do you have memories of the dance halls of Warrington in the 1940s and 50s?

Then get in touch.

You can email Yester Years via newsdesk@guardiangrp.co.uk or write to Yester Years, Newsdesk, Warrington Guardian, Unit 4, 240 Cygnet Court, Warrington, WA1 1PP.