Premier Dance Hall, Union Lane, Chesterton

The Premier Dance Hall, Union Lane, Chesterton

History of the Premier Dance Hall

The privately owned Premier Hall was the venue for many local social events.

21 March 1927
The Charleston shows no signs of waning in popularity at the Premier Dance Hall, Chesterton, and still reigns supreme among the habitués there. In fact this dancing habit has become so much of the place that one sees more uniformity in the style than at any other hall in Cambridge. On Saturday evening Manning’s Band were in their usual good form and played extremely well. Miss Robinson must be one of the last jazz pianists in the town at present.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Chesterton Scrapbook, reference 1927 03 21.

5 February 1929
The latest form of political propaganda, the Conservative’s touring ‘Talkifilm’ is visiting Cambridge. The programme includes a speech by the Prime Minister which gives an uncanny effect of realism and a silent film showing the opening up of Canada. The van will visit Pound Hill, the Premier Hall Chesterton and Occupation Road, winding up at Cherry Hinton Road corner

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Chesterton Scrapbook, reference 1929 02 05.

16 October 1930
Five miniature golf courses are now in operation in Cambridge. There are Messrs Grays in Sidney Street and the octagon course in King Street. The Premier Hall, Old Chesterton, has added midget golf to its other attractions and the Newmarket Road has the course in the club-room at ‘The Bell’. Its holes represent hazards encountered during a trip from ‘Trafalgar Square’ to ‘The Oval’. The latest 18-hole course at the Belle Vue Gardens is all-weather and open-air. It features a howitzer gun and a water jump and has been laid down by Capt Mullett who has constructed others in Vancouver and San Francisco.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Chesterton Scrapbook, reference 30 10 16c.

16 February 1934
Many dancers in Cambridge will learn with regret that Ron Wickes has been compelled to give up his position as official drummer to Percy Cowell’s Band. He started drumming with them at the old Rendezvous before joining the band run by Mr Hensher, and later played with Manning’s Band when the Premier Hall at Old Chesterton was opened up. From there he went to Skegness for two seasons, returning to the Rendezvous in the interval. He came back to Cambridge three years ago when Mr Cowell started his band at the Dorothy Café and has played with them ever since.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Chesterton Scrapbook, reference 34 02 16.

---

1932

Became part of newly established Hallens motor business and was converted in showrooms.

1962

Hallens of Cambridge motor car agents

1998

Hallens demolished and Haig Court retirement homes built