KBGS chaps, I don't mean to add a salcious touch to our memories but does anybody remember the 'Mexican Twist' at Keighley Gala fairground about 1968. A couple of fake Mexicans outside the marquee from God knows where and a 'Mexican temptress' stripping off for the benefit of the 'wide eyed' KBGS lads. I don't know how I remember these things but I do.

There's nowt wrong wi' salacious Kevin. I once paid good money to go into one of those shows. I don't remember what was "shown" but I was sorely disappointed. My money would have been much better spent on a copy of "Spic" or "Span".

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 52-57

Current location (optional) USA

I agree Bernard it was a bit tame and tacky but better than nowt I suppose.

In earlier days, before I knew better and held on to me brass, there were side shows at gala featuring statuesque nudity. The MC, through a sputtering sound system, would "bum up" the artistic "scenario" we were about to see.... no movement (the law doesn't allow it). He would describe in glowing terms the artistic qualities of the 3D replica of some art classic we were about to see. When the curtains were opened, there stood some half-naked, big busted bird standing stock still in front of a gash "Italian Renaissance" back-drop, - doing her best not to smirk at the crude remarks from the blokes who'd had a few. Half the "audience" ( should that be viewers?) had left before the curtains were drawn - hoping to see a bit more action in the next side-show - but they dint.

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

Keighley Fete and Gala

Stomachs looped, heads snapped up and eyes shone
as the news thundered round school like a dodgem car,
a grinned conspiracy of whispers, “The caravans are here!”;
glittering gypsy swallows that heralded the gala,
the mass of canvas and board that bellied and bloomed
in the great green acres of our park
every wondrous gabbling golden summer.

Days we had, to wander through the painted maze
of stalls and rides and bannered tents
as they grew and sprawled in a vast camp,
ringed and hemmed-in by throbbing diesels
that spread thick black cables, sinuous as tree roots,
to web and betray our pitch and playing field.
Days we had, to plot and spend money we did not have.

The time came when lights blazed and music blared
coconuts tumbled, pennies rolled and chairs flew round
and over our dizzied heads and the rides swept by in blurs,
wormed, screeched and clattered in a great racket
that dinned me into bewilderment and rapture
as the big wheel trundled over the night sky
and war was a rumour from another world.

I eked out my scant coins over the afternoon
on brandy snap, chips and toffee apples,
six- legged sheep, boxing booth, darts, airguns
and the gut-gripping wheel where I watched the magic
and the mill drift beneath me, head in the stars,
happy as a sand-boy in the dream of a day
soothed and rocked in the arms of midnight.

I do not go there now, for all things change,
I no longer need the things they sell.
I stand instead upon the evening hills to watch
fireworks hose the night with sudden stars;
hear their clamour and cacophony, faint and dulled
by intervening trees; watch their lights flicker,
distant as galaxies, dimmed by the space between us.

That's noan s'bad Arthur.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 52-57

Current location (optional) USA

I suppose the Keighley Watch Committee turned a blind eye to all this sexual salaciousness in Victoria Park. Or they just did not know what was going on.