Durham Ice Rink
timeline
Intro copy…
1940s
Outdoor ice rink opens as WW2 begins
6 March 1940
A tarpaulin roof (the largest in Europe at the time) is added shortly afterwards held up by several wooden posts embedded in the ice.
First ice hockey game advertised at Durham
25 December 1940
Likely held between teams of 'local lads'.
First Durham Free-Skating Championship held
Summer 1942
Won by Sylvia Taylerson (Womens') and Joe Dixon (Mens')
First anniversary carnival
March 1941
Reigning world ice skating champion, Cecilia Colledge, known as Britain's 'Queen of the Ice' appears as guest of honour
Royal Canadian Air Force ‘Bomber League’ established
November 1942
Over 500 games would be played at Durham between 1942 - 1944 between the various RCAF squadrons based in County Durham and North Yorkshire, including Boston Bruins legends Milt Schmidt, Bobby Bauer and Woody Dumart.
Canada Day' celebrations held at the rink
March 1944
1,600 spectators witness the Canadian Y.M.C.A. 'Bomber League' Cup Final between the 'Rossmen' and 'Lancasters'
Gale rips off tarpaulin roof, followed by a fire
November 1944
A violent storm brings down the tarpaulin roof during a skating session. Three weeks later, on Nov 25th, a discarded cigarette burns down the café and melts a portion of the ice pad.
Outdoor rink closes and work begins on new permanent building
3 March 1946
After months of delays in obtaining planning permission for the 'new rink', building finally gets underway to replace the war-time structure with a 4,000 seat arena.
Durham Speed team in trophy sweep at Dundee
April 1946
Durham's speed skaters win the first 'inter-city' speed skating competition and bring the Angus Trophy and Key Cup back to Wearside.
New rink opens
21 December 1946
Constructed in only 9 months, the Smith family's Durham Ice Rink '2.0' opens at a cost of £64,000 (approx. £3 million today).
Senior’ ice hockey team proposed by ex-RCAF airman
January 1947
Mike Davy proposes forming a senior team. Training begins with local players and a few Canadian ex-servicemen who settled in the area.
Durham Wasps v Durham Wildcats
26 July 1947
Exhibition game held on Big Meeting Day to determine who would become the city’s ice hockey team.
Catholic mass held at rink
August 1947
Thousands gather for the post-war annual Catholic gathering of the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle.
Durham Wasps first competitive game
18 October 1947
(v Kirkcaldy Flyers) in front of 2,000 fans. Wasps lost 5–4. Earl Carlson scores a hat-trick on debut.
New coach, new second team
December 1947
Mike Davy replaced by Pat McCurry. A second team, the Durham Hornets, is established.
First radio broadcast from rink
27 December 1947
BBC broadcasts Wasps v Nottingham Wolves. Wasps led 6–1 but eventually lost 7–6.
Wasps go on strike
February 1948
Discontent over expenses and equipment leads to a strike. Resolved after an emergency meeting.
First ever away-games
June 1948
Wasps play two away games in Wembley and Brighton, accompanied by 100+ travelling fans.
Ice Capers
August 1949
First large-scale ice show, "Ice Capers", produced and performed by Durham skaters.
Northern Amateur Tournament established
September 1949
Officially launched by the BIHA. Games all played in Durham with winners decided by goal average.
Bill Booth joins as Wasps’ player-coach
October 1949
Booth signs from Brighton Tigers. Would remain involved with the club into the 1960s.
Liverpool away-day
24 December 1949
Wasps beat Liverpool Leopards 10–1 in front of 5,000 fans at Liverpool Ice Palace.
1950s
Durham Wasps beat England 5-3
21 January 1950
Durham took on an amateur-select England squad infront of a capacity crowd of 5,150. Canadian goalie Jimmy Carlyle makes his debut in this game, saving a crucial penalty shot
Wasps win B.I.H.A. Cup for first time
20 May 1950
After winning the Northen Amateur Tournament, Wasps go on to beat Paisley Wildcats in the play-off final, 3-1
First Wasp to be selected for Great Britain
February 1953
Bobby 'Butch' Cartwright from Pity Me becomes the first Durham ice hockey player to be selected for Great Britain
Great Britain select beaten 5-0 by Wasps
March 1953
After returning from the World Championships in Switzerland, GB are shut-out by Durham at the city rink
Gold for Alice and Joe
April 1953
Durham's Alice Smith and Joe Dixon win the British Junior Pairs title at Nottingham
Wasps lift B.I.H.A. Cup for second time
30 May 1953
Durham victorious in a 3-game series against Wembley Terriers, trouncing the Londoners 11-4 in the final game
Boxing at the rink
December 1953
Boxing matches are held at the rink for the rink time, Jackie Keough winning the first bout vs Terry Cullen for a Northern Welterweight title
'Sister rink' for Durham
January 1954
Durham Ice & Sports Stadiums Ltd submit plans to build a second ice rink at Whitley Bay
Durham Wasps are disbanded
May 1955
With a number of ice rinks around the country closing, and attendances sliding, the plug is pulled on hockey at Durham
Whitley Bay Ice Rink opens
30 May 1955
The Mayor of Whitley Bay opens the new £100,000 ice rink on Hillheads Road. The opening featured the Northern & Midland Counties Amateur Figure Skating and Ice Dancing Championships for the first time in the North East
10 out of 10 for Alice Smith
June 1955
Grand-daughter of 'Icy', Alice, who skated from the age of 4, becomes the Durham Ladies' skating champion for 10th year in a row
Alice Smith and Joe Dixon win skating championship title
April 1956
After finishing 3rd the previous year, the Durham skating couple put in an outstanding performance to lift the Northern & Midland Counties title
Ice Hockey and the Wasps return - but at Whitley Bay
December 1956
After 18 months, the Wasps are back, but at the newer, slightly bigger Whitley Bay rink. In the opening game v Streatham Royals, Norman Young from Gilesgate scores the first goal at the seaside rink in a 6-2 win in front of 2,000 fans.
Tom Smith makes Wasps' debut
December 1956
Grandson of 'Icy', Tom Smith becomes first member of the Smith family to play senior level hockey debuting in a 7-2 win over Harringay Hornets at the Whitley rink
Earl Carlson makes a comeback
March 1957
Durham Wasps' Canadian goal-scoring legend re-joins the Whitley-based team - scoring in his first game back against Perth Panthers in front of a 4,000 crowd
Wasps lift B.I.H.A. Cup for third time
April 1957
Once again facing Wembley Terriers in the final, Wasps emerge 8-2 victors in the end-of-season finale
World Champion Ice Dancer comes home
September 1957
After winning the title of World Ice Dancing champion in Colorado Springs, Chester-le-Street's June Markham returns to Durham to perform an exhibition in the rink she learnt to skate at, with her partner Courtney Jones
Wasps to go back at Durham, and Whitley get a 'Bee' team
September 1957
Despite a successful season at Whitley Bay, ice hockey made a loss for the Durham and Whitley rink business. So the decision was made to move the Wasps 'back home' and create a brand new team at Whitley: The Whitley Bees
The boys are back in town
05 October 1957
For the first time in 2 and a half years, ice hockey is back at Durham. Wasps storm to a 16-3 win back on 'home' ice. The returning line-up included: Dick Herkes, Bill Booth, Mike Jordan, Hep Tindale, Bonzo Burns, Earl Carlson, Ian Dobson, Tom Smith, Jonny Weston, Bobby Robinson, & Cyril Metcalfe
First Durham v Whitley derby
03 November 1957
Beginning a rivarly that would span nearly 40 years, Whitley and Durham teams faced each other for the first time in a home and away double-header encounter. Wasps won both games 5-0 and 9-5.
Earl Carlson nets the golden 500th goal
11 January 1958
Earl Carson registers his 500th goal for Durham Wasps in a game v Glasgow Mohawks. The game was stopped for two minutes while both teams scrambled onto the ice to congratulate the Durham legend.
European and World titles retained by Durham's ice dancing queen
February 1958
Chester-le-Street's June Markham, with her partner Courtney Jones retain their European and World Championship titles.
Wasps v Bees for B.I.H.A. Cup
27 April 1958
In a controversial 3-game series, Durham narrowly edge out their new local-rivals to carry off the cup for the fourth and final time, defeating the Bees 4-3 in the decider at Whitley Bay
Junior ice hockey schools set up
May 1958
A concerted effort to train-up local youngsters to keep the sport alive is started at both rinks. At Durham, Wasps' George Lye is in charge of the over 11's, while Mike Jordan is tasked with coaching the 14's to 16's.
Earl Carlson gets second-fastest hat-trick in world
15 November 1958
Durham's top goal-scorer puts in three goals in 24 seconds in an 18-7 victory against Liverpool Leopards
Revenge of the Bees
May 1959
Wasps are dumped out of the B.I.H.A. Cup play-offs by Whitley
Ref decked in derby game
December 1959
In a bad-tempered derby game v Bees at Whitley, Norman de Mesquita (famous for being the 'voice of Wembley in the 80's and 90's) received a grazed forehead after a scuffle with Durham's Derek 'Chico' Adamson who was later suspended by the B.I.H.A. for a month.
1960s
Senior ice hockey scrapped at both ice rinks.
August 1961
Durham continue to play away games only as ‘Bees’ in England and ‘Wasps’ in Scotland.
Durham’s Derek Metcalfe rated #2 Goalie in the world
March 1962
The accolade was awarded at the World Championships in Colorado.
An ‘intermediate’ North East League is established.
October 1962
Games are first based out of Whitley, and then also Durham. Durham teams: Leopards and Dynamos.
‘The Wasps’ make a return to Whitley Bay.
September 1963
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Icy Smith tragically killed in accident at West Jesmond, Newcastle.
January 1964
The Icy Smith Cup is established in his honour.
Wasps players find themselves in a financial dispute
February 1965
The team lock heads with the Whitley Bay and Durham ice rink management and are effectively exiled: All future games played ‘away’.
Wasps disband (again.)
April 1966
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After a 5-year gap, senior ice hockey returns to Durham.
October 1966
Initially as Durham Hornets - the ‘Wasps’ name is revived two months later.
1970s
Wasps’ legend and founding member Earl Carlson suddenly passes away, aged 44
April 1970
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Wasps make it to the Icy Smith Cup Final for the 2nd time
April 1971
…but lose 21-8 v Murrayfield over 2 legs
Peter Johnson and Hep Tindale selected to play for Great Britain in Holland
October 1971
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‘Wasps and Warriors clash in Semi Final of Icy Smith Cup.
February 1973
Warriors win 7-5.
Durham figure skater Angela Greenhow wins 2nd place at World Championships in Spain
February 1978
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£4.5m scheme announced to redevelop Walkergate and replace Durham Ice Rink.
February 1978
Plans scrapped 2 years later.
Durham Wasps finish the 1978/79 season bottom of the 8 team Northern League
Spring 1979
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1980s
Paul Smith debuts for the Wasps
1980
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British Ice Hockey League re-established
1982
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Torvill & Dean appear in an exhibition performance at Durham Ice Rink
January 1983
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Durham Wasps win the Bluecol Cup at Streatham - their first piece of major silverware for 30 years
December 1984
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Durham Wasps win their first of five Heineken Premier League titles
April 1985
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Durham are back at Wembley Arena for first time since 1968
May 1985
Wasps crash out of playoffs in the semi-final v Dundee Rockets.
Inaugural Castle Eden Cup competition held.
February 1986
Wasps will go on to win 9/10 competitions.
Wasps win the play off finals at Wembley for the first time
April 1987
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Wasps second attempt at a ‘Grand Slam’ ends in disappointment
April 1989
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1990s
Paul Smith debuts for the Wasps
1980
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British Ice Hockey League re-established
1982
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Torvill & Dean appear in an exhibition performance at Durham Ice Rink
January 1983
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Durham Wasps win the Bluecol Cup at Streatham - their first piece of major silverware for 30 years
December 1984
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Durham Wasps win their first of five Heineken Premier League titles
April 1985
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Durham are back at Wembley Arena for first time since 1968
May 1985
Wasps crash out of playoffs in the semi-final v Dundee Rockets.
Inaugural Castle Eden Cup competition held.
February 1986
Wasps will go on to win 9/10 competitions.
Wasps win the play off finals at Wembley for the first time
April 1987
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Wasps second attempt at a ‘Grand Slam’ ends in disappointment
April 1989
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