Tired of seeing ads? Click here to upgrade to Elite Membership!

Author	Message / Information
Jennypeg Researcher	Piano Smashing replied on: 2/5/2007 9:59:47 AM No problem its just the castle crisps to find now!!
suzard Researcher	Piano Smashing replied on: 2/3/2007 9:13:18 PM Thanks for that, jenny-just obtained a copy of the article (with photo)-now the grandkids will believe me!!!
Jennypeg Researcher	Piano Smashing replied on: 8/25/2006 8:03:00 AM Hi Suzard, 17th July 1964 Eastwood & Kimberley Advertiser HEANOR YOUTH WEEK PLUS PHOTO OF PIANO SMASHING On the Tuesday of the youth week: Heanor Market Place was the scene of the great piano smashing contest on Tuesday night, and sweating, hammer-swinging piano smasher’s were “cooled” by the falling rain as they broke their piano’s into 9in fragments. The trusty barrel organ was again providing musical accompaniments, and the “smasher’s” were urged on by frenzied cries from their supporters. I will send a copy to Robert. Jenny
.ian.	Piano Smashing replied on: 2/11/2006 10:14:58 AM I remember them well. I am 50 now and lived in Heanor from 1964 until 1970.
TimBirkin	Piano Smashing replied on: 1/4/2006 9:36:28 AM My Uncle, Alan Davis who was born and lived in Mapperley village, was in the local scouts and he used to organise a yearly piano smashing contest in Mapperley Village, think this was in the 60's (or late 50's) I think I saw some photos or cine film of it a few years ago !!!
suzard Researcher	Piano Smashing replied on: 10/24/2005 9:34:50 PM Brilliant-looks like they revived it in the 70's! I'm so glad there is documented evidence of such an event. I remember one such event in mid 1960's taking place on Heanor market Place.
Jennypeg Researcher	Piano Smashing replied on: 10/24/2005 4:09:41 PM Hi Sue, I've not found the 50/60's piano smashing but will this do! 1977 4th Nov 1977 Ripley & Heanor news HEANOR PIANO SMASHING CONTEST Two photo’s Cricks team smashing the piano, and Cross Keys team: Cross Keys team: back row Mick Burns, Antonio De Simone, Tom Sawyer (captain), Tony Elliott. Middle: Mark and Richard Elliott. Front: Paul Maciejewski, Carol Elliott, Val Lawrence, Dave Naylor. Four teams of six men contested a piano smashing contest at the Cross Keys, Derby Road, Heanor, on Sunday. The teams were: 1, Taghill Tigers, 2, Cricks; 3, Cross Keys; 4, Alida, and their times were 14 minutes 21 1/2 seconds; 7-50; 5-33 1/2; and 6-20 respectively. The event was planned when Mrs Richardson, of Loscoe, heard of the forthcoming bonfire on 5 Nov and offered Mr. Tom Sawyer of Abbott Street, Heanor, a piano which could be used for bonfire fuel. Afterwards other pianos were offered and the contest was organised. The three winners of the competition nearest the time were K. Crabb (Vic Hallam), P. Sawyer, Abbott Street, Heanor, and R. Jones (Vic Hallam). Despite the weather on Sunday 100 people turned out to watch the action and were kept warm by the enthusiasm of the competitors. Thanks are extended to Tony and Carol, landlord and landlady of the Cross Keys, and to the committee who staged the event and to all who made such an amusing event possible. On Saturday 5 November, a bonfire will be lit at 7 p.m. and a firework display will follow, with all the usual “trimmings” for bonfire night. Proceeds from the piano smashing competition will be used on Saturday to provide amenities for the children, who attend the bonfire. Secretarial duties were carried out by Mr. Rex Pilbeam. Jenny
Azzabuv This message was updated on 9/9/2005 8:40:37 AM by RMMee	Piano Smashing replied on: 4/25/2005 5:20:58 PM I do remember they had to pass the pieces through a hoop of a certain size, as Phil says. WHY do i miss ALL the intense, electrifying, soul-shaking fun? Azzabuv.
suzard Researcher This message was updated on 9/9/2005 8:39:52 AM by RMMee	Piano Smashing replied on: 4/25/2005 5:04:06 PM I'm glad someone else remembers-thank you. Apparantly pubs used to have teams along with youth clubs and the Scouts-all raising money for charity. It is considered that people were willing to offer their old pianos up for smashing with the arrival of small Hammond organs in the home
philfred	Piano Smashing replied on: 4/24/2005 8:15:46 PM suzard keep taking the tablets. The old grey matter gives me a picture of three or four upright joannas in a row. I seem to remember the pieces had to fit through a hula-hoop (no batteries or gamepad required). regards phil
suzard Researcher	Piano Smashing replied on: 4/23/2005 7:13:55 PM I just need someone else to remember it! These tablets I'm taking do tend to make me have very odd dreams!!!!
suzard Researcher This message was updated on 9/9/2005 8:38:07 AM by RMMee	Piano Smashing replied on: 4/22/2005 3:27:22 PM I am quite serious about this-I guess a sing song around the old piano was out of fashion and people were wanting to get rid of the old Johanna-perhaps pandering to the youths new love of electric guitars. The events did make the local papers!
suzard Researcher	Piano Smashing replied on: 4/22/2005 9:47:41 AM Can anyone remember the piano smashing competitions of the late 1950's-early 60's? I think they were to raise money for charity and the smashing was done by teams from schools or youth clubs??? I remember watching one such competition on Heanor Market Place and it was quite a big event. Several old pianos were on the Market Place and teams were timed on how long it took them to demolish a piano into firewood. Anyone know what that was all about???

Tired of seeing ads? Click here to upgrade to Elite Membership!

ChatArea.com Help & News Forums | Terms of Use | Contact ChatArea.com | Advertising