Sunday 21 March 2010

HARRY'S TIME

Kinmel Park Camp, BodelwyddanGlyn Lewis bass, Harry Lightfoot drums These photographs are from the collection of Harry Lightfoot.

The black-and-white photo of the Ken Quiggan band at Kinmel Park Camp near Bodelwyddan during the days of National Service in early 1950s shows (left to right): Harry at the drums, Unknown soldier, Ken Portlock, tenor sax, Ken Quiggan, alto sax, Frank Rigby, bass; Les Frimstone, piano.

Harry also played for bandleaders Alf Cowan and Jimmy Clarke, and with Johnny Kenneally who was the last resident leader at Queens Ballroom, West Parade. When the Queens closed in late 1950s Harry went to Winter Gardens, Llandudno, and he continued to play one-off engagements everywhere.

The colour snapshot shows (left to right): Colin Higginson, tenor sax; Glyn Lewis, bass; and Harry at the drums.

Among the many Rhyl venues at which Harry played were Bee Hotel in Bodfor Street, Regent Ballroom in High Street, Ritz Ballroom at Ocean Beach Fun Fair, Sun Inn in Wellington Road, and nearby holiday camps such as Sunnyvale (Kinmel Bay) and the North Wales Holiday Camp in Pensarn near Abergele.

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