Hi NORTHUMBRIA subscriber Reuben Jamieson has sent me a fascinating 1927 boxing poster for St James' Hall in Newcastle. http://www.bpears.org.uk/temp/boxing.jpg George (Puncher) Willis was the father of Reuben's late pal and Best Man, Jeff Willis; while Alf Page was the father of another of Reuben's friends. A fews years after those bouts, St James Hall was replaced by the New St James' Hall on the same site. I'm sure that many will remember that venue in the 60s when it featured professional wrestling as well as boxing. The hall closed in 1967 and was later demolished to make way for St James' Metro Station. http://www.wrestlingheritage.co.uk/Features/Leaz_St_James_Hall_1965.jpg Many greats from the world of boxing fought there - even the great Sonny Liston gave an exhibition there in 1963. A political heavyweight too gave an election speech there in 1951 - no less a person than Winston Churchill. It was also the scene of a gruesome murder in 1957 - the body of 15 year old Gordon Lockhart was found concealed under the boxing ring. Brian -- Brian Pears (Gateshead, UK) http://www.bpears.org.uk/ Joint List Admin NORTHUMBRIA Genealogy Mailing List GENUKI Northumberland Maintainer

Brian, I remember going to the Wrestling at New St. James Hall. Also New St James Hall was known as "The graveyard of Champions" But I like to mention how my Uncle Benny took on the then Bantam-weight World Champion in none title fight at the New St. James Hall on the 16th February 1936. The World Champion, Balthazar Sangchili took on Benny Sharkey (real name Benjamin Goldwater) . It was hard fought fight over 10 rounds, with Benny winning on points. Two weeks later Benny Sharkey fought Simon Chavez, who was the then featherweight of Venezuela and beat him on points over 10 rounds. Also at New St. James Hall, Benny Sharkey on September 1st. 1930. In another none title fight beat the then British and European Bantam-weight Champion Teddy Baldock. My Uncle Benny recieved £400 for this fight. John, Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne little.blobby2@btinternet.com http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~littleblobby/ http://www.freewebs.com/littleblobby/ No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.724 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2583 - Release Date: 12/23/09 08:28:00