This recent spell of hot weather got me to thinking about the summer of 1959 when the sun seemed to shine a lot too. I remember going a couple of times on the top deck of the Ilkley bus to spend days at the open air swimming pool. Is it still there?? If so, it's probably doing a brisk trade. If not, it's most likely a Tesco's and it'll be doing a brisk trade anyway. Anyone else have memories of that particular summer? What music were we listening to?

The Ilkley Lido is certainly still open and doing a brisk trade though I'm sure that, if you visited again, you would think it much smaller than it was in '59.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 58-65

Current location (optional) Leeds

The Ilkley Lido! I remember the shoot there. Went a few times.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 58-66

One hot summer. there was such a huge queue to get in that we decided to sun ourselves on the river bank and swim in the Wharfe. Came out smelling like a trout.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 52-60

What's this Alan? Grouse shooting at Ilkley LIdo?

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 58-65

Current location (optional) Leeds

No, Shaun - Alan and I were from Guardhouse. When we say shoot we mean shoot....

When I typed "shoot" I wondered!Was it a slide then?The nearest I got to grouse was beating one day with..?Can't remember. Guardhouse..the Bronx. Just thinking of the Lido I'm getting memories of freezing water, that chlorine(?) smell, and shivering to high heaven on getting out of the water, the standard maroon swimming shorts instead of trunks(masy be wrong there), the grass sun-bathing areas, my dad sitting there smoking his Senior Service or suchlike, the idiots bombing and getting aplashed walking alongside the pool.............or am I talking of my present life-style on the Costa del Sol?!

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 58-66

What music then? Just started KBGS..er...Please don't Tease by Cliff? Buddy Holly by then? As Bob says, the memory's getting dimmer..Acker Bilk?

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 58-66

Hits of summer 59? Try www.everyhit.com/retrocharts/summer/1959.html for a trip down memory lane! You're right Alan about Cliff and Buddy Holly although the latter is well down the top 40 list at number 39. Some real classics though and an interesting exercise in old wave 50s/ new wave 60s music at a time when the cross-over was just beginning. By the way Alan (B), I recall you being the proud owner of the first ever Warner Brothers record (WB#1) by the Everly Brothers: Cathy's Clown (April 1960?). Others could only look on and wish....

(Allan J - shouldn't it be CHUTE, or am I missing something here?)

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 59-67

What about songs (is that un-cool?) that bring back recollections of times and events at KBGS? Playing against Bfd GS at Stoneycroft in 1958/9, after half-time lemons and a chat from Gilbert about getting it out to the wings (and we had some good 'uns), I ran onto the field singing "C'mon pretty baby, let's move it and a'groove it!" David Ogden (scrum half)said I got some funny looks from the boys from Frizinghall. Not as funny as the ones Dave Collen (loose head prop) got as he raced over for a try after a forward handling movement. I was never on the losing side to a Bfd GS rugby team and only once at cricket (U14XI).

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 52-60

You've lost me there.Geoff. I definitely remember having Cathy's Clown but are you saying it would be worth thousands if I still had it? The first record released by WB? I'd play it on the gramaphone at Calver Avenue.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 58-66

Geoff W writes: "(Allan J - shouldn't it be CHUTE, or am I missing something here?)"...
Yes Geoff - I'm afraid you are...just a wee pun (or something) in response to Shaun's query....
A

Can't say what it would be worth now Alan though as WB's first venture into records it ought to have some cash value. No, the reference was just a reminsicence of the late 50s/ early 60s music scene and a memory of you (plus Jonah, Faggy Helliwell, Co-Co et al) on the no 2 Calver Avenue bus with said record, though why you were taking it to school with you remains a mystery!

Thanks Allan (J) - chute/shoot - thick or what? Despite being a full-time academic these days I obviously still retain that dour streak which comes from having been a parson for far too long. Definitely need to wake-up and get a life before it's too late!

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 59-67

Geoff.I'm beginning to wonder about my past life now.Why would I have Cathy's Clown on the bus going to town. It's a mystery to me. Perhaps I was a show-off and wanted friends to see it...nah, that's not me..I was shy and retiring...and very well-mannered as Allan's mother once said of me : funny how I've changed! Still the same really.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 58-66