Master of music who ruled the clubs scene

As a young man Eddie saw a gap in the market that gave Bolton such famous club names as The Beachcomber, The Cromwellian Club, Maxwell's Plum and Hawthorns.

But what many people, perhaps, do not realise, is that it was the foresight of Eddie and two pals, Norman Clements and Eric Eckersley, that helped give Bolton a club scene envied even by the city centre of Manchester.

People would flock from miles around to enjoy the lively Bolton social scene and it was, in no small part, to the work of Eddie who had the vision to see what was wanted by the town's youngsters.

Eddie, who is now aged 78, grew up in the social industry with his parents, Cyril and Margaret (Peggy) running pubs, including the Golden Lion in Bolton town centre.

It was while his parents were running the Golden Lion that Eddie and his friends (who were all in their twenties at the time) came up with the idea of starting their own club.

Eddie was working at De Havilland in Horwich as an electrical engineer but realised there was something missing in Bolton town centre for him and his very sociable friends.

The Palais was really the only dancing and music venue worth spending time at but it did not really cater for the younger generation.

"There were some derelict buildings at the back of my parents' pub so we decided to use them and open up our own club.

"We cleaned the floors, put an old bar in the corner and people would get to the bar by using a door at the back of the pub," explains Eddie.

Word got round and the impromptu club was attracting dozens of enthusiasts each week — keen to get involved in this fun venture.

It was a sort of "illegal rave" of its day.

The club's reputation was growing. It was not just the "ordinary" young folk of Bolton who enjoyed socialising at this make-shift venue but Bolton Wanderers' footballers got to know about it including Tommy Banks (who played for England) and central defender John Higgins explains Eddie.

Although only a tiny room it was a buzzing place but the local police put paid to the enterprise and the club had to close.

Not deterred the three decided to open up what perhaps would be described as a more legal club in premises in Bank Street.

Eddie's mother suggested the former shop premises, which had been used as a radio and television shop.

"The man who owned Joe's Umbrellas next door said he'd heard the radio shop was closing and we went to have look," explains Eddie.

Although the shop premises on the ground floor were small there was access to an upstairs area that appeared perfect for the boys' plans.

So in the early 1960s —August 1962 — The Beachcomber opened with chairs bought for 50 pence each, tables borrowed from Eddie's parents' pub, a £200 loan from the bank and plenty of enthusiasm.

It had a nautical theme — ships' wheels on the wall helped create the atmosphere — and as the partners could not get a licence to sell alcohol they opened as a coffee bar but could never have envisaged the popularity of such a venture.

Young people flocked to enjoy the coffee and dancing.

"We got one of those coffee makers that had just come out in the sixties," says Eddie.

The boys employed women to make and serve the coffee and it seemed not being able to get an alcoholic drink was no detriment to the fun that could be had at the Beachcomber.

With the Beachcomber fast becoming a hot spot for Bolton's teenagers who were too young to enjoy the Palais but too mature for local youth clubs in December 1963 the Bolton Evening News featured an article about the newly opened "Dungeons" at the club.

"We acquired the old Associated Dairies building next door and then went down into the cellars," says Eddie.

This created a unique atmosphere and a unique venue.

The club could now house 600 revellers rather than the 250 it previously admitted.

"Keepers of The Dungeons are three young local men who have had an ambition to open a teenage night spot in the town for a long time.

"They are Eric Eckersley, aged 28, 22 Strawberry Hill Road, Eddie Grindrod, aged 27, 747 Chorley Old Road and Norman Clements, aged 28, 12 Henrietta Street," reported the article.

At the time Eric told the paper: "If young people don't want to go out drinking in the town centre pubs every night there is very little they can do with their spare evenings.

"In the Beachcomber they can meet over a coffee or soft drink and dance to the music of a local group. We are opening The Dungeons because of the popularity of the club. We will serve meals in an upstairs room. Pop music and dancing will be confined to the cellars."

Comments were gathered from club-goers including 16-year-old miner Melton Dodding of John Brown Street who said: "This is the sort of place you can come to by yourself without feeling left out."

On Monday May 25, 1964 the Bolton Evening News published an article about the club stating "The gap between childhood and the capable adult is now filled in a specialised way. This is the beat generation — the mods, the rockers, boys and girls who want to start living.

"One of the chief attractions in Bolton for the beat generation is the Beachcomber coffee bar."

It goes on to say: "The prevailing atmosphere is one of niceness."

Feminine frilly shifts, black bows and chiffon, hipster skirts, waistcoats and bell-bottomed jeans trimmed with tiny jingling bells were all the rage apparently.

Men were looking rather "sharp"

The Beachcomber was able to stay open until 1am although the doors were closed at 11.30pm to ensure there was no trouble inside.

"At this time the sophisticated rooms feel Continental. The crowds are thinned and one feels that Bolton is at last making the most of Saturday night by allowing it to go on a little longer," continues the article.

Although the three men were delighted with the success of their club they had always wanted to open a bar where alcohol could be sold and they were determined this would be their next move.

See next week's Looking Back for more on the club scene in Bolton and Eddie Grindrod's part in its success.

If you have your own memories of the Beachcomber do get in touch with Gayle McBain on 01204 537269 or email gayle.mcbain@nqnw.co.uk