DURING the 1950s, swinging sixties and 1970s night clubs were dotted all over Bolton and surrounding towns.

The Co-Op Club was one such venue, in Little Hulton and at this time Little Hulton was, of course, part of Bolton.

Eccles had the Talk of the North and Swinton The Wishing Well, explains Jean Ball who used to frequent the clubs in her younger days.

Her favourite though was Club Monaco which was in Farnworth, she says.

Club Monaco later became Blightys.

It was so popular that Jean and her group of friends — who are rocking the very popular beehive hair do — would go along to dance every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

“The girls paid 50 shillings a year membership and drinks were just 5p for half a pint.

“We all enjoyed the music and our favourite DJ who was called Pete.

“He later emigrated to South Africa.”

The photograph seen top was taken on Saturday May 12 in 1966 and is coming up to 52 years old explains Jean.

When Club Monaco closed and became Blightys Jean and her pals no longer went there.

Jean’s maiden name was Warburton and she lives in Swinton.

She can be seen standing at the rear of the photograph.

Other clubs which will hold fond memories for our readers include The Astoria Palais De Danse which was recently demolished to make way for further development at The Market Place, as well as The Cromwellian, The Beachcomber and Playmate Club.

Dancing was the perfect way to enjoy meeting with friends and meeting potential partners.

Many of our readers will have met their spouses at The Palais.

Times were very different.

Going out in the evening was not simply about drinking as much as possible followed by a curry on the way home.

In the early days The Palais was a dry zone and young people went along to enjoy the music not the alcohol.

Very often going out for the evening would involve a long bus ride.

Determined to make the most of an evening out places such as Farnworth, Swinton, Little Hulton and Worsley would be as popular as Bolton Town Centre for many young revellers.

There would be bands entertaining the young dancers playing big band music and most venues had their own resident bands as well as their own DJs once records took over.

Do you have memories of the clubs that used to be so popular in the Bolton area?

If so we would love to hear from you.

Get in touch with Gayle McBain on 01204 537269 or email gayle.mcbain@nqnw.co.uk to share your memories with other Looking Back readers in a future edition of the paper.