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The Blackthorn School
of Photography
Digital image-making
and black and white printing
based at our specialist
teaching centre near Cricklade
Evening, day and weekend
courses for beginners and
advanced photographers
www.photography-courses.com
Swindon’s own Cavern Club Tel: 01454 416937
or 07920 116492
The visit by pre-mega star Beatles to
play a few numbers in the McIlroy’s
department store restaurant is em-
bedded in the town’s folk memory,
but nobody has told the story of
how youngsters in the early 1960s
enjoyed going to their own Cavern
Club disco underneath the Mechan-
ics’ Institute in the railway village. CANDICE - Red,
Juliet Platt met the man behind the French navy, beige
town’s touch of Liverpool. or gold leather £53
Tony Carter from Even Swindon
has led a charmed life, starting out
as a railway vehicle builder in 19 EASY - Navy
shop to his last post as research or beige leather
and development manager. He also £49
worked as a barman and British Rail BLAYLOCKS
Mechanics’ Institute DJ.
He explained how he began spin- Bath Road Corner, Old Town
ning the discs in his leisure time. “I Still a music fan. Tony today in his ‘Elvis room,’ holding the Tel: 534271
decided to have a go at doing discos British Rail Mechanics Institute Disco sign, painted by Frank Bradley
with a couple of mates in the early up with blankets and sheets; you
70s after we got barred from the old just couldn’t do that now.”
Piccadilly Nightclub in Covingham. One of those groupies turned out
My dad was a TV engineer at Carter to be Tony’s future wife Jane, who
Brothers and he made me a double now works as the marketing man-
record deck from a TV cabinet, with ager for Drove Vets. She said, “the
his old gramophone as an amp and Mechanics was a big part of our life.
some stereo speakers.” It was the place we’d all meet up.” Under New Management
After a successful run of gigs Tony added the gigs in the Cavern
at The White House Hotel, The boiler room didn’t last long. “We did formerly Cricklade Hotel & Country Club
Oxford and The Princess, Tony the disco every Friday night, and A 46 BEDROOM HOTEL SET IN THE
and his co-DJs Mick Mortimer and when we were regularly getting 50 STUNNING WILTSHIRE COUNTRYSIDE
‘Little’ Fred Furness approached to 60 people a time we got promoted
the bar manager at the Mechanics to the card room upstairs, which was Weddings | Afternoon Teas | Spa Days | Private Functions
in Spring 1974. really joining the elite.”
“I can still see him - looked just Tony’s disco business evolved e Spa
like Ronnie Corbett. He let us set into Stardust Disco, then Denim MEMBERSHIP SPECIAL OFFER
up the decks in the boiler house Deluxe which he eventually sold on. BUY ONE GET ONE HALF PRICE
downstairs. There were pipes eve- “Not bad for something we only did
rywhere which our groupies covered for a laugh.” Indoor Swimming Pool | Gym | Tennis
Snooker | Golf | Steam Room | Spa
Armed Forces Day in June e Dining Room
Open 7 Days A Week
On Saturday 25 June, Swindon town centre will come to life celebrating Monday – Saturday Lunch
the work and commitment of our Armed Forces.
This will be the third year the Vice-Lord Lieutenant, Colonel £12.50 per person (2 Courses)
inSwindon, the Business Improve- James Arkell, will award veterans Sunday Lunch
ment District (BID) Company for with the prestigious Armed Forces £14.99 (3 Courses)
the town centre, has organised the lapel badge.
celebration. Following the ceremony a day e Golf Course
The event starts with a military full of entertainment for the whole £9.00 for 18 holes
parade through the town, leaving family will be supported by various Membership not required
The Parade outside Debenhams branches of the military.
and arriving at Wharf Green, un- Details of the attractions will be Tel: 01793 750751
der the Big Screen at 11.30am. A announced in June. See informa-
service will take place beforehand tion posted at www.swindontown- Common Hill, Cricklade, Wiltshire, SN6 6HA
when the Mayor of Swindon and centre.co.uk [email protected] www.crickladehotel.co.uk
21-52 June 11.indd 21 20/05/2011 10:36
