Ken Park Reunion
Posted by sequenceblogger (admin) on June 22, 2010
A link to another site, which will be of interest to any old friends of the late Ken Park:
http://pub31.bravenet.com/forum/static/show.php?usernum=2586843722&frmid=10&msgid=898075&cmd=show
Eileen said
I learnt to dance with Ken and I remember his move to the newly decorated ballroom it had been used by the Scouts and before that a cinema.
We had a social evening as well as lots of beginner’s classes which meant it was easy to go back and relearn to make sure you had it right.
I moved to Aberdeen with Cliff Freeman in December 1977. I still often remember the evenings and how Ken had such a good way with people – as well as being a very good teacher. Sometimes he would dance with Elaine – wow! We were always impressed.
I didn’t know about the memorial or I would have come.
Graeme said
I remember going to the Broadway Ballroom as a Salesman selling soft Drinks back in about 1979/80, i seem to remember they had a bar area upstairs, and they were very friendly people, i always got an order from them, even though it was probabaly on most occasions becuase they fealt sorry for me.
30 years later just thought id say Thank you.
sequenceblogger (admin) said
Thought folk might appreciate this link to isee.gateshead with a photo of the Broadway Ballroom, or Grand Cinema, as it was when the photo was taken.
http://isee.gateshead.gov.uk/detail.php?t=objects&type=all&f=&s=pelaw&record=14
Scott Hodge said
I was just thinking of Ken tonight when I looked at the NCDTA Presidents list. Ken was a good friend of my Uncle Ray Hodgkinson also an ex NCDTA President, who died only 3 years ago. He taught my sister Christine, later a Professional, for many years when he had the studio in the Bigg Maket Newcastle. A nicer man I have never met. I used to go to the shop for cigarettes for him when I was a kid. We used to see him on Come Dancing sometimes. He and Elaine then bought a dance hall called the Broadway ballroom, I think, in Pelaw. The last time I saw Ken was just outside the Woodmans Arms pub unaware that would be the last time I would ever see him. I wouldnt know anyone at a reunion but just wanted people to know I thought the world of Ken, he and his wife Elaine were so kind to me when I was a kid. God bless him and Elaine, Lisa and Chris !
regards Steve Hodgkinson !
sequenceblogger (admin) said
Hi Steve,
Good to hear from you. As much as we would have liked to we couldn’t attend, not being in the UK any more, but, it was nice to hear that Ken’s memory lives on 25 years down the line – not that anyone could ever forget Ken ! I hope the reunion brought back happy memories for all those who attended. Interesting to read in the original article that the Broadway Ballroom has now been demolished. By the way, I assume your sister is Christine Hodgkinson, whom we also remember, and whose name readers will recognise as arranger of the ever popular Quando Quickstep. We remember Ray very fondly too.