The "Bobs" - Belle Vue

[manclad]

After reading the roller coaster thread, I started thinking that one of the most famous roller coasters in Europe used
to be located less than a mile from City,s ground(s) - both COMS & Hyde Road.
At one time the "Bobs" - (so called because the car looked like a bobsleigh) was listed in the guiness book of records
as the fastest roller coaster in the world with a top speed of 61 mph.Pretty tame by todays standards, but from 1926 to 1971
absolutley terrifying for most people.It was a huge wooden framed roller coaster (modern ones are steel framed)that cast a huge shadow
on the east Manchester skyline.
If any of you under 30's are wondering where this behemoth was located just walk down Alan Turing Way to British Car Auctions/Showcase cinemas & you will be standing on the site where Belle Vue was located from 1836 to 1982.

 

[denislawsbackheel]

tell em about the zoo too manclad!

 

[manclad]

tell em about the zoo too manclad!

My old feller worked in the New Elizabethan ballroom as a musician from about 1963 to 1971.
This was mainly ballroom dancing etc. but alot of young people used to attend. Cos he worked there he used to get
me & our kid in for free.I had many a great day wondering round the zoo all day,getting a meal in a cafe,& then going to
the circus in the evening,in the Kings Hall(he was in their band as well).
Then meet the old man in the New Elizabethan & drink pop & get looked after by the bouncers & waitresses until he finished playing at about 10.30 p.m. - proper exciting stuff tor a 12 year old watching the glitter ball lights & couples dancing - from a prime position on the upper balcony.

 

[denislawsbackheel]

oh yes!!!
I remember the flea show. You had to see it.
And the New Elizabethan. memories.

 

[Blue2112]

I used to like the water chute and the caterpillar at Belle Vue great memories as a kid.

 

[stony]

I used to like the water chute and the caterpillar at Belle Vue great memories as a kid.

I used to go on the water chute after the wrestling in Kings Hall when I was a kid. I steered clear of the mad mouse though(scary as fuck)

 

[maineman]

i saw PIL in the kings hall

 

[Anonymous]

I've just moved to Cheadle Hulme after spendin' the last nine years livin' in Belle Vue (right on the land where the amusement park once stood!) ........ i remember it well as a kid , especially as the school i attended was right across the road from it too !

.

 

[Ed68]

I used to spend a lot of time there when I was a kid.

My Nana would take me in to the pub next door and sneak out the back door so we didn't pay the entrance fee - a trick I couldn't pull of on my own as they didn't let 10 year olds in pubs on their own but I tried frequently.