Talk of the Midlands: No other venue like The Talk

Singer Matt Munro. He appeared at the Talk of the Midlands

IT only lasted five years but Derby’s Talk of the Midlands left a lasting impression.

Last month, Bygones reminded readers it was 30 years since the nightclub closed its doors.

John Harley, secretary of the Blue Pool social club back in the 1970s is just one of many who regret the club’s passing.

“I remember one outing I organised from the Blue Pool to one of the shows. I forgot my cheque book, so Tommy Barnes (joint owner) told me not to worry but to go back on Monday or Tuesday, which I did.

“When I went he gave me half a dozen free tickets for the following week for a new comedy act called The Grumbleweeds.

“We went along and they were brilliant, top class. Of course, they went on to star on TV etc. I went to Tommy and said ‘If they come again, I want 100 of the best seats’. Well, they did come again and we got the seats.

“The work Tommy and his partner, Julian Beck, did in turning that tiny cinema into one of the Midlands’ best nightclubs was unbelievable.

“It had such an intimate atmosphere and, at the same time, they booked such top stars. You used to dine right in front of the stage. I went there about half a dozen times to see Matt Munro, Dave Allen, Les Dawson, Ella FitzGerald, Jack Jones.

I remember Matt Munro was the only one who ever objected to people eating while he was performing.

“There has never been a venue like it since the days of the Grand Theatre and the Hippodrome.

“Unfortunately, it wasn’t big enough to make enough money to pay for the acts. It only seated 700. Tommy applied for an extension to bring it up to 1,000, but was refused.

“Julian used to spend a lot of money flying backwards and forwards to the States, booking acts. Then he had an accident in his Rolls at Etwall which resulted in him being fined. It all added to their money troubles.

“There was a crowd of us who used to dine at Rose’s Cafe in Friar Gate and Julian used to join us sometimes.

“It’s a shame the club went under. It really was a tribute to Derby.”

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