I have managed to find out that shows were ran between May and October 1953. There was one show billed in February 1954 with the Ghoul billed to appear. From the wrestlers billed I would presume Norman Morrell promoted the shows.
The shows were held on a Saturday and you have to wonder if St James Hall being the same night impacted attendances. I haven't found anything else so far.
Following the trail it was replaced by regular boxing.. I am actually thinking could this have been a Wryton venture. They had Levenshulme Rink in Manchester in 1953 , might have been Roller rink though. But could there be a connection with ownership.
Lot of Wryton men over this short season. No sign of Ghoul or Ernie Baldwin.
Would not have minded a look at the Saint though. Did a five rounder with Francis Gregory here and won by KO.
There was one or two professional boxing shows around the same time, but it staged amateur tournaments (A.B.A.?) for a couple of years before that. I presumed Norman Morrell because it was his area but the advertising is not particularly forthcoming with the promoters identity.
The Durham Advertiser was published from the early 1800s and ceased publication in 1985, don't know if access to the archive is available but could be worth a look
Thanks to both Ron and Power. I was trying to find out how long a period this venue had wrestling for. Is there anyone local to this site that could help please ?
I am getting some evidence Bernard that the Ice Rink had some sort of facelift and maybe the first Boxing and Wrestling was introduced in mid 1953. I may be wrong , but that's how it looks reading through the papers. Having said that I don't have Durham papers.
1953 is the only year I have in my collection as well.
the Ice rink didn't get a roof on it to turn it into a stadium until the end of the war so it would make sense that 1950s would be the era of things other that ice shows, ice hockey and public skating to keep the money coming in. It was a decent sized venue so was ideal for boxing and wrestling with a capacity of about 2800
I have managed to find out that shows were ran between May and October 1953. There was one show billed in February 1954 with the Ghoul billed to appear. From the wrestlers billed I would presume Norman Morrell promoted the shows.
The shows were held on a Saturday and you have to wonder if St James Hall being the same night impacted attendances. I haven't found anything else so far.
Thanks for trying folks.
The Durham Advertiser was published from the early 1800s and ceased publication in 1985, don't know if access to the archive is available but could be worth a look
Sounds like we will have to wait, the Echo hasn't been digitised past 1919 (on BNA) from what I can see.
If wrestling had been advertised locally it would probably been through the Northern Echo.
Thanks to both Ron and Power. I was trying to find out how long a period this venue had wrestling for. Is there anyone local to this site that could help please ?
Hi Bernard.
I am getting some evidence Bernard that the Ice Rink had some sort of facelift and maybe the first Boxing and Wrestling was introduced in mid 1953. I may be wrong , but that's how it looks reading through the papers. Having said that I don't have Durham papers.
1953 is the only year I have in my collection as well.
Boxing for sure , was introduced in 1953.