IN December 1975 the future of Bradford’s Silver Blades ice rink hung in the balance.

The rink had been threatened with closure since Bradford Council withdrew its £10,000 a year block booking for schoolchildren. The Telegraph & Argus reported that Mecca chief Eric Morley had promised skaters the rink would remain open until the new year.

Rumours of closure prompted a batch of angry letters to the T&A, many of them from teenagers who used the rink regularly. Replying to the rumours, Mr Morley said the rink was losing the Mecca £40,000 a year, and that closure was “a distinct possibility.”

Pictured here are young skaters from the ice rink on their way to City Hall to present their case in December 1975.

Thankfully, the city’s ice rink remained open.