West Runton Pavilion & Cromer Links

Hell - stumbled on this site. Great stuff. I am now 47 and was "there" in the heyday. Too many gigs to mention, but here are a few I was at which particularly stick in the mind: Bow Wow Wow, supported by Lowestoft band The Crabs / Classix Nouveau supported by Crown of Thorns / Gang of Four with Pere Ubu and Delta Five / Bad Manners with some support band I never saw as we arrived late and the whole gig was spoiled by crowd trouble. A good wedge of the WR crowd also came down to Great Yarmouth to see the Angelic Upstarts at the Garibaldi, supported by The Spivs.

Anyway, good to reminisce......

Message from Norman Samways ex Feel for Soul trumpet player on same bill as Marmalade and Jeff Beck with Rod Stewart as lead singer. It was our first big backing with two top bands (fab). Our biography is at www.answers.com/feel%20for%20soul. Is Tony Jones, also trumpet player, still around? He was a good mate of mine. Yours faithfully, Norman.

Tim O'Hanlon says...
Yeah Tim the same Richard Jones that went to school with your brother. Where are you now and where are the rest of the O`Hanlons.
Not the Richard Jones that went to school with my brother Michael?

Good to come across Phil Wade on the site, who could also have mentioned how he regressed to become a local DJ too. Hope you are well Phil

Phil Wade says...
Great Site! I was part of Eyes of Blond and have very fond memories - especially of the Links. We played with some great bands there too.

Found this site recently. I have just received a copy of the book. Brings back great memories and good times playing with Mister Toad at the "Links". Have just supplied Julie with some pics and group history of Mister Toad and line-ups. Also sent pic of an "Eyes of Blond" promotional flyer.

Great Site! I was part of Eyes of Blond and have very fond memories - especially of the Links. We played with some great bands there too.

Saw my first live band at WRP Diamond head May 82 saw may more great gigs there before it closed Angle Witch, Magnum , Motorhead plus others, we would travel from Swaffham in a group of up to 30, (thinging of those who have passed away far to many many of whom were to young ) had quite a few good nights in the Inn, Had a drink with Lemmy before the Motorhead gig Happy Days, Great venue much missed.

Wow, what a great websitesite! I worked at both the Links - as King Arthur's disco light man with Michael - for the Queen & Status Quo gigs. Then, started the Inter-City disco in '72 where I backed many of the bands at West Runton thru' '77 - sometimes from the box above the LH side of the stage and also set up on stage with the bands. Also ran the 'Snake-Pit' Disco at Runton on Wednesday nights. Freddie Bloomfield & his team manned the door & Judy & Katy ran the bar. Those were good times!

Much as it saddens me to do so, I must advise you all of the passing of another Pavillion goer.
Robert (Rob) Sinclair passed away at Priscilla Bacon Lodge on the 28th of May, a few weeks short of his 45th birthday.
Rob was a local guy who grew up in the vicinity of West Runton and often attended gigs there - particularly the punk events. When I asked him if he'd seen bands in other venues, he said he never needed to, as all the ones he wanted to see played on his doorstep! After it's closure, he became an extreme sports enthusiast, and some of you may well have known him as a surfer from along that coast. He was diagnosed with lung cancer a year ago, but was determined to see one of his favourite acts,The UK Subs, play once more. Recently, he returned to West Runton, and visited The Village Inn where he'd had so many good experiences. With a lot of care and dedication from his close friends and family, he made the most of his remaining time and fought all the way to the end.