QUEEN Elizabeth had only just acceded to the throne, Winston Churchill was still Prime Minister, Patrick Swayze was a newborn baby and the average home cost just £1,942.

Just months after the March 1952 opening of Southampton Ice Rink, the Ice Dance and Figure Skating Club formed and have only just hung up their skates.

Some of the members – many of which have been members of the group for the full 70 years - recently met at a reunion in Eastleigh.

This was to be the last meeting as the club has now been disbanded – 34 years after the ice rink's closure.

READ MORE: Ice rink club marks 70th anniversary >>>

The city's original ice rink was located on Banister Stadium and opened in 1931.

southampton ice rink.

Southampton ice rink.

After suffering damage during the Blitz of 1940, the rink was rebuilt on the same site in 1952.

READ MORE: 19 Southampton clubs and bars we all miss the most >>>

Shortly afterwards, the Ice Dance and Figure Skating Club was formed.

Heritage. southampton Ice Rink in its heyday..

Southampton's Ice Rink in its heyday.

The ice rink shut its doors for the last time in 1988 when the building was demolished and housing built on the site. The club have been campaigning for a new rink ever since.

These pictures were taken at the ice rink through the years.

 

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't take my word for it - subscribe here to see for yourself.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by joining our Facebook group - Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents

Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated Facebook group - Hampshire Court and Crime News