Glasgow Jiggin'

[wini]

Well I used to frequent the Palais but that was in the fifties.

Lewis's was known as that or the poly,

They had an "orchestra" on the top floor in the tearoom.
I only got to go there on Special Occassions

I don't remember it being particularly POSH

wini

[Russell]

Hi Wini

Coming from Edinburgh where we had 'Jenners' Lewis's always gave the impression of trying to emulate Jenners but Glaswegians wouldn't let them.

G'way, an dinna get above yersel' Glaswegians have always had their feet firmly planted on the earth and proud of it

Russell

[Davie]

G'way, an dinna get above yersel' Glaswegians have always had their feet firmly planted on the earth and proud of it

Aye Russell,
Ah thocht the only earth we had here wiz in the cemetery.
No mony o' us even get planted under it these days, we go tae "The big bad fire".
When ah wis a wean, The posh shoaps were, Forsyth’s, Allan’s Shoe shop, Paisley’s and Frasers.
The Poly had the best windae display at Christmas.
Have placed an auld polyad in the gallery.
Back tae the jiggin, "swing yer partner, EASY, best set in the hall"
But cannie o' yeese mind whit the dance hall wiz called, jist up frae the Loc. heading east on Sauchiehall Street (ah cannie mind)
Or the wan in St Georges road, that wiz the West End in ma day.
Oany o' yoose gie it hooch at the Hielender's Institute, where ye had tae stey oan the fler wey the same partner fawr three dances?
Davie

[Russell]

Aye Davie

Ma Glesca dancin days sterted at the Institute in Elmbank St alang wi a mad bunch o Hielan nurses frae Hawkheed noo Leverndale Hospital.
Then we moved tae St Andrews Halls till some daft ****** brocht a torch tae licht thur fags. Then it wis the McLellan Galleries in Sauchiehall St and the Govan town Hall fur a while till they built the new place.
Ah didnae like they places where there wis iron pillars tae haud up the balcony though. Too dangerous tae yer partner when ye were swingin her.
No fit fer aw that noo tho'.
Gies a quiet ceilidh wi a few slow wans in atween the fast wans.

Russell

[wini]

davie,

The only dance Halls I can rememmber were the Palais, the Locarno, Greens, The Albert and Barrowland.
Russell,
I went to St. Andrews Halls a couple of times but that was usually for a function, Cycling club Dances etc.
I know from there it was a fair walk home to Robroyston with sore feet.

wini

[DavidWW]

See http://www.theglasgowstory.com/image.php?inum=TGSA00522 for a brief history of Anderson's Royal Polytechnic.

David

[Russell]

Hi Wini

I went once to the F & F in Partick until I was told it had a 'reputation'.

The Highlands & islands Associations used to hire the St Andrews Halls for their big dances. Great nights.
We were lucky. There was a late night service to Pollock so could usually get a bus home. If one of our merchant navy pals was in port he would sub us a taxi.
These days nobody in their right mind would even consider walking home to Robroystoun. Of course that means that since no one is on the streets it actually does become more threatening and possibly dangerous.

The Good Old Days

Were they

Russell

[wini]

Yes Russell,
I think they were the GOOD OLD DAYS
No Rave parties, no Speed, no Ice except on the road, a few drunks to contend with but they were usually pretty Happy Drunks and the others you could avoid.

I know its old age but I think my life anyway was pretty happy,
We didn't have much and I don't think we expected much

CONSUMERISM wasn't a word in our dictionary

wini

[emanday]

We didn't have much and I don't think we expected much

That's what makes the difference, Wini. We accepted what we did have and counted our blessings.

[Russell]

Yip

A pair of pillow cases for your engagement was a slightly risque present with a big fluffy pair of bath towels when you got married. These were considered quality presents. Now they want the top-of-the-range washing machine and a few other things as well.

Your right Mary. Even the cars didn't have 'speed' A Morris Minor could only do about 50 miles an hour max. I kept my first car till you could pedal it through the holes in the floor then went back to being a bus passenger cos we couldn't afford a replacement.
We sold our room and kitchen and bought a house instead. Still live there too

Life was slower and I think we were more inventive, considerate and more satisfied with our lot.
Its not a 'we want' society now its a 'I must have' mentality.
Even at dances its kind of selfish. they don't need a partner because then you would have to consider someone else.

Aach ! Ignore my rant, I must be getting old.

Russell