Rednall
The Chalet Club, near the Lickey Hills,
was a popular venue, and a ‘trip’ to the country
for us townies.
The club featured many of the popular Brum Beat bands,
like Idle Race, The Uglys
One such night I went along to see Idle Race,
and spent a long time chatting to Jeff Lynne.
Who was to know then, that Jeff was to join
the super group ELO!
Happy times near the bluebells of The Lickies!
Compiled by Keith Law
I was a regular in the early seventies, with mates from Bromsgrove. We had some great nights and I met a lovely ‘homely Girl’ from Kings. Norton called Karen. Ref Chililtes.
I am sure I remember Rainbow playing at the Chalet. Am I right?
Was Andy Ross a DJ at the Chalet years ago
Every Thursday and Sunday nights 71 to 76 Andy Mac was the DJ lived in Tessall Lane left to go to Rebecca’s Hurst Street but not happy and later committed suicide – Beano was DJ some other nights -dont know his real name- there were many regulars locally at the Chalet and great days 70’s soul and disco music especially the Christmas and New Years eve disco’s with a packed room dance floor to the left and tables to the right with a bar at the back – toilets downstairs with a decent restaurant – seems a lifetime ago but such happy days !!!
I managed the Chalet from approx 1960 and first introduced groups and popular music to the club. The first group ever engaged on a Sunday night was the ‘OLYMPIANS’ followed by “Sight & Sound. The main Birmingham group engaged was The Hollies. The biggest scoop was Wayne Fontana when he was no 3 in the charts.
Prior to engaging popular Groups – Ronnie Hancox Big Band with his singer Susan Maughan. The club also catered for many Wedding Receptions and Celebration Parties.
During this period of Creswell ownership I introduced Traditional Jazz and was also responsible for opening a casino on the lower floor.
The Chalet was later sold to Banks Brewery.
So good to see comments about the chalet country club at Rednal.My father in law Noel Morgan was part owner with two silent partners and instigated the idea to change what was the kunsle tea rooms into a night club and silver service restaurant at the lickey hills in 1958 .Membership was £3 a year. Noel and the family were hands on with his son David becoming chef .The big opening was.by David Whitfield a popular crooner in the late 50s and 60s.l am sure many of the older people will remember him.
The club was a great success in the day.
Noel sold the Chalet and went to Australia in 1961.