Hall of fame

When the doors finally closed on St George's Hall it marked the end of an era. During its time the hall had played host to The Rolling Stones and launched a thousand romances - but perhaps one of its greatest 'gigs' was the arrival of the first Red Cross parcels in 1944. Nigel Baudains looks back on the glory years

Many couples did their courting there and dozens of people link it with having the time of their lives.

Over the years the hall was blessed with numerous high-profile visitors from rock bands to royalty.

But undoubtedly the most welcome 'guests' arrived late in 1944 when the first Red Cross parcels that brought relief to starving islanders after nearly five years of German Occupation were stored there awaiting distribution.

Ian Rabey was born during the war, after his parents had been evacuated. The family returned to Guernsey in late 1945/early 1946 and moved in with his grandparents in Mount Row.

'I can clearly recall going down to St George's Hall to search for furniture that was stored there during the Occupation,' he said.

'My father had put his initials in chalk on the inside of wardrobes and the back of drawers so we could identify each item as his. How long it took with a five-year-old in tow I don't know, but there seemed to be a mountain of stuff in there.'

Audrey Ozanne, 76, worked at Stan Fournier's cafe at the Weighbridge taxi rank. He did outside catering at many places in the island including the Normandie Beer Garden, The Track, the summer agricultural and horticultural shows and St George's Hall.

'When the bands came over, the music was non-stop,' she said.

'As one group stopped another started and you couldn't hear what people were ordering, so we all shouted ourselves hoarse.'

Wrestling nights were particularly popular and Mrs Ozanne remembers 4,000 hot dogs being sold.

Wrestlers such as Les Kellett, Mick McManus and the Royale brothers would arrive at the hall together threatening to knock each other's lights out when they got into the ring.

'The front row was full of middle-aged women who would rush to the ringside

and try to attack anyone who was hurting their heroes.'

Mrs Ozanne also remembers the Old Tyme Music Hall shows at St George's. At every performance a photographer would go from table to table with four Victorian-style hats for people to put on before having a picture taken.

'At the end of the evening we would put all the takings in any paper bag we could find and walk back to the Weighbridge with it, weaving in and out of the crowd outside The Savoy and other places.

'I don't think we'd get very far in this day and age.'

The cafe would then be opened and staff would serve tables until 1.30am.

Georgette Dales-Tracey remembers St George's Hall for other reasons.

'We didn't have much money in those days, wages were poor, but as soon as we stepped into the imposing entrance of St George's, it seemed so opulent,' she said.

Her then husband, Irvine Dales, played in a skiffle group with Maurice Willcocks, George Guille, and others whose names escape her.

'They were so popular, everyone was jiving and happy, without being drunk,' she said.

Mrs Dales-Tracey, 80, remembers The Rolling Stones playing at St George's Hall and The Beatles at Candie Auditorium, which she said was another fabulous place.

'We also enjoyed the skating at St George's and my son, David, played guitar in various groups and on the night of the closure.

'What has happened to society since?

'Many people only seem to be happy when they're drinking.' A DANCER found her station in life when she came to perform at St George's Hall.

Christine Cripps, nee Groome, was with a London company, The Rex Gray Dancers.

They were part of the Robert Earl Variety Show that played St George's Hall throughout the summer of 1963.

'It was good family entertainment,' she said. 'The hall was enormous and

always full.

'Guernsey was thriving as a tourist destination and people loved the show.'

Christine's fellow dancers were Alexis Marks, nee Holmes, Ralda Bird, nee Greaves, and Anne Carol. Three of the troupe remain friends to this day.

'We lost contact with Anne after that season when we all moved on,' said Christine.

Alexis moved to Devon after years living in Alderney and Mrs Bird now lives in Jersey.

Impresario Sydney James produced the show and Ken Wayne and Jay Allen choreographed the dancing.

The show was on six nights a week with Sundays left free for rehearsals.

Originally from Birmingham, Christine toured from the age of 15 and spent two years working in Paris and another in London.

She did a UK tour on the same bill as Bruce Forsyth and also appeared at Jersey's Watersplash with comedian Norman Wisdom.

Christine has lived in Guernsey for the past 40 years. She married a local man and has two sons, Paul and Simon, who each run their own business.CROWDS were gathering outside St George's Hall long before the visit of The Queen and Prince Philip on 26 July 1957.

Shortly after the monarch's arrival at noon, a special

sitting of the Court of Chief Pleas began.

The centuries rolled back as

the feudal ceremony of paying homage to the liege lord

took place.

The Seigneur de Fief Sausmarez de Saint Martin, Cecil de Sausmarez, swore allegiance to the sovereign. Then Elizabeth College student of the year Robert Mahy read a loyal address in Latin.

The Queen was not the only royalty to visit the hall.

In July 1954 the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester

attended a glittering ball

there while on a two-day visit to the island.

In June 1959, a similar event was held at St George's for the visit of Princess Margaret.