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Rubbing shoulders with the stars, preparing for beer festivals and model railway shows and dawn assignations with cat owners were just some of the varied and exciting aspects of Hazel Yeomans’ job working at Derby Assembly Rooms over the past 20 years. As the venue celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, Hazel (left), recently retired, of Chaddesden, looks back with fondness at some wonderful days.

Working at Derby Assembly Rooms for the past 20 years, I have seen many changes from the staging of war games to concerts by barbershop quartets. Both events would fill the venue over an entire weekend. I have watched people setting up their model soldiers and been serenaded in the cloakroom by singers warming up for their competitions.

At one time, we used to show films to very full houses until the multiplex cinemas came to Derby. I remember one Bank Holiday weekend running a film for just four people. There were more staff than public. After that, with much sadness and regret, we had to put our torches away.

Around the same time, aerobics took off with Bernadette Walsh; then there was a step aerobics class.

On Tuesday nights, we had about three-quarters of an hour to get 80 steps out of the Darwin Hall and into a van before the social dance started. It was usually a job for Dave McCormack, “the humper” at the time. He is now the charge hand. I would often give him a hand and a dirty job that was.

Sadly, this was another event to finish as a fall in attendance forced its closure.

Back then, we had wrestling with Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks – the worst of enemies in the ring but the best of friends in the dressing rooms.

: Hazel, front left, and her colleagues at Derby Assembly Rooms are presented with Welcome Host certificates in 1995

Snooker was another event in the early 90s which would be on for a week with the stars of the day – Higgins, Davis, White, Taylor, Hendry and so on. That, of course, was a “quiet week” as, on entering the hall, you could hear a pin drop while games were taking place.

When I was on duty backstage, we had an up-and-coming group of lads called Take That performing. After their appearance in Derby, the world became their oyster.

I also had the pleasure of looking after Jo Brand, Wayne Sleep, Harry Hill, Lee Evans and Gerry Marsden and the Pacemakers.

I remember that night well. Gerry had to do the show alone as his group were delayed due to traffic problems on the motorway.

He was just coming back to the dressing rooms when they finally arrived. His words, in a broad Liverpool accent of course, were “Too late, lads. I’ve dun it meself”.

Another star I recall is Bob Monkhouse, sadly no longer with us. I had to wait for him to arrive for a presentation event and he was delayed, too.

On arrival, he was most apologetic and quite upset, thinking he had held up the proceedings. Bob was such a nice, unassuming person, with no airs or graces – a pleasure to meet.

One of my last duties backstage was to help with the Joan Rivers show. I must say that I was a little apprehensive before her arrival, not knowing quite what to expect.

On her arrival, Joan was very quiet, sussing everything out but eventually she came into her own, shouting for me if she needed to tell me anything.

I couldn’t forget my name that day but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

Cloakroom assistant Hazel shows Corporal Glyn Morrison of the Royal Lancers where to hang his hat in the early 1990s

So many famous people have passed through the doors of the Assembly Rooms – Danny la Rue, Val Doonican, Cannon and Ball, Leo Sayer, Jack Jones to name but a few.

Then there have been so many interesting events – model railway exhibitions, military bands, classical and pop concerts, Gospel weekends, Beer Festivals, Women’s Institute shows, not forgetting the panto.

I remember once we had a cat show with people coming from all over the country to compete. We had an early start at 7am, waiting for cats and owners to arrive. It was the only pet event ever held there as far as I know. It was, of course, a purrfect day. Looking back, I wonder where the last 20 years have gone.

People often comment on the ugliness of the Assembly Rooms from the outside. But, whatever people’s views of its design, it does not reflect what goes on inside. As soon as you go through the door, you are greeted with a welcome and a smile and everyone tries to ensure that your stay is an enjoyable one.

I can honestly say that for the past 20 years, I have had a job that I have thoroughly enjoyed and hope to continue to visit the Assembly Rooms for many more years to come – though from the audience side this time.

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County:  Derbyshire

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