​RECENTLY we printed photographs of the roller hockey and skating rink at Cleethorpes, sent in by Wally Bird.

Now Wally, of Edge Avenue, Scartho, has sent us some more photographs.

He said: “I was pleased to see that my photograph of the skating rink at Wonderland, Cleethorpes, attracted a bit of attention.

“I was especially pleased to hear about Mr and Mrs Blyth meeting there and getting married. May I say congratulations on their 60th wedding anniversary, which they celebrated in June. My wife and I will be celebrating ours in October.

“I also remember Bob Verney and the Grimsby Mariners roller hockey team.

AT THE HELM: Wally Bird, of Scartho, on the water dodgems at Wonderland in Cleethorpes in 1946.

“I used to work at the rink, so I used to open up for them on Sunday mornings for their practice sessions. I agree with Bob, we shouldn’t forget the good times we had at Cleethorpes, it was buzzing.

“Here I have more photographs of the Grimsby Mariners playing roller hockey, including Bob Verney, as well as photographs of myself and two friends of mine.

“We are on the water dodgems in 1946. They were at the end of the promenade, just past Wonderland, beyond the skating rink.

FLOATING BY: Two of Wally Bird’s friends on the water dodgems at the end of the prom at Cleethorpes in 1946.

“The cafe was behind it, which was at the very end of the prom for years, also the hobby horses which were between the skating rink and the water dodgems and had a lovely organ on it.

“You can see what Cleethorpes is missing nowadays. It is dead and could do with these sort of things to liven it up and draw the visitors and locals to it.

“I worked at quite a few of the rides down there over the years. I worked from 8am to 11pm, seven days a week, but I loved every minute of it and would do it all over again given half a chance.”

STICKING AT IT: The Grimsby Mariners roller hockey team drew crowds at Cleethorpes throughout the 1940s.

We also heard from Wilf Heyhoe, who used to play centre forward for the Wonderland Wanderers roller hockey team until 1952.

Wilf said: “Other players for the Wanderers included John Patterson, Billy Hallett, Dave Hutchinson, Pat Blades, John Sims and Alan Brown, some of whom were also mentioned as playing for the Grimsby Mariners team.

“Dave Hutchinson made the sticks for us. In the previous article it was stated that the Wanderers travelled to away games by steam train but we actually used to travel by car.

“During the winter, when Wonderland was closed, the dodgem track would be turned into a skating rink.”