The earliest I have found for the area is at Branksome between Bmth and Poole the was the early 50's at the drill hall in Alder Rd this was Dale Martin.Then in 1954 The Dales moved into The Winter Gardens in Bmth the biggest and best venue we had it held around 1600 and in the 60's sold out for almost every bill.
From the mid to late 60's it was every fortnight for a while then it went to monthly bills during the winter season which ran from September until early June.Then you had the summer season from mid June until early September at the nearby Town Hall,
for a while the Town ran on a Monday and Friday in the early 70's then changed to a Thursday.
The Winter Gardens during the winter had 5 bouts each time unless there was a tag match then you had 4 bouts.Crowds held up until the late 70's mostly around a 1000 a time the it dipped sharply and by 1983 it was finished during the winter only the summer season now.And that had changed venue from The Town Hall to The Pavilion.Wrestling Enterprises/All Star had been in the town since the mid 70's at Two night clubs in the centre of bmth and were very well supported.
Even though a couple of traces are now identified, Bournemouth was, at the very least, punching way below its weight.
Looking at Herne Bay last week, Weymouth, Southport, Bognor, Folkestone … much smaller resorts with much higher wrestling profiles.
I believe this thread is the first time the word BOURNEMOUTH has appeared on this site. You’d expect it to be like Brighton and Blackpool with multiple venues
But as this was Dale Martin territory it wouldn't be much of a gem.
And in 1965 wasn't that well hidden.
But having had my bit of amusement I admit you're quite right and this place has remained well under our radar. But Dale Martin were there through the 1960s and 1970s until All Star took over.
Wow! Just the sort of detailed reply we dream of on here! Thanks.
All of which does leave the mystery why, at a national level and on here, Bournemouth has had a low to zero level profile.
The earliest I have found for the area is at Branksome between Bmth and Poole the was the early 50's at the drill hall in Alder Rd this was Dale Martin.Then in 1954 The Dales moved into The Winter Gardens in Bmth the biggest and best venue we had it held around 1600 and in the 60's sold out for almost every bill.
From the mid to late 60's it was every fortnight for a while then it went to monthly bills during the winter season which ran from September until early June.Then you had the summer season from mid June until early September at the nearby Town Hall,
for a while the Town ran on a Monday and Friday in the early 70's then changed to a Thursday.
The Winter Gardens during the winter had 5 bouts each time unless there was a tag match then you had 4 bouts.Crowds held up until the late 70's mostly around a 1000 a time the it dipped sharply and by 1983 it was finished during the winter only the summer season now.And that had changed venue from The Town Hall to The Pavilion.Wrestling Enterprises/All Star had been in the town since the mid 70's at Two night clubs in the centre of bmth and were very well supported.
Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd and The Nice, all on one bill, in little old Bournemouth!
Sometimes it just takes a local paper to become available. This one is elusive.
Did find one in my collection.
Also this could have been the first ever try out. Look carefully in this boxing programme and Otani v College Boy
A regular venue, but it appears they didn't advertise in the newspaper often so I don't know what Ron might be able to find.
Even though a couple of traces are now identified, Bournemouth was, at the very least, punching way below its weight.
Looking at Herne Bay last week, Weymouth, Southport, Bognor, Folkestone … much smaller resorts with much higher wrestling profiles.
I believe this thread is the first time the word BOURNEMOUTH has appeared on this site. You’d expect it to be like Brighton and Blackpool with multiple venues
Good point Anglo Italian, a hidden gem indeed.
But as this was Dale Martin territory it wouldn't be much of a gem.
And in 1965 wasn't that well hidden.
But having had my bit of amusement I admit you're quite right and this place has remained well under our radar. But Dale Martin were there through the 1960s and 1970s until All Star took over.
You have a point Anglo , I don't have any in my collection. Might just be unlucky , but I do seem to have most resorts.
A quick Trawl of the web suggests it happened.