WERE you a skater in Southampton?

The city's long-gone and much-missed ice rink was the place to be until its sudden closure in 1988.

Now, 34 years on, the Ultimate Southampton Ice Rink Reunion promises to be an event filled with music and memories from decades past on the ice.

Set to take place at Totton's Empire Hall on Saturday May 21, the event will feature some of the original ice rink DJs and many of its most-played party tunes.


READ MORE: Pictures of Southampton's long-gong ice rink


Mike Joyce and Bob Heather, who currently have a weekly Sunday show on Outreach Radio featuring two hours of speed session tunes and favourites from the 60s, 70s and 80s, will host.

Daily Echo:

They are promising the biggest reunion to date and the perfect opportunity to relive the good times. They even hope to recreate moments like hundreds of party-loving skaters sitting lined up on the floor to Oops Upside Your Head by The Gap Band.

Daily Echo:

The city's ice rink is still very much in the hearts and minds of its previous users. 

The original rink was located on Banister Stadium and opened in 1931. 

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

Months later, The Ice Dance & Figure Skating Club was set up. Hundreds of members entered competitions, galas and ice shows with many skating on the national and international circuit.

The club held its final meeting just weeks ago, 70 years after the 'new' ice rink opened and an incredible 34 years after skaters last took to the ice in Southampton.

Daily Echo:

The ice rink shut its doors for the last time in 1988, supposedly for redecoration, but never reopened. The building was demolished and housing built on the site. 

Supporters have been campaigning for a new rink ever since, but promises of a new facility have never materialised.

The Ultimate Southampton Ice Rink Reunion will be broadcast the following evening on Outreach Radio.

A signed Saints pendant is among prizes in a charity raffle raising funds for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.

Tickets, priced £5, are available at ticketsource.co.uk/OutreachRadio

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