Teddy Bright "Wizard of the Wheels"
Teddy Bright during his time at Warrington
Below is an article written by Archives Volunteer Carol Mayo, based on her research in the collections:
It was the end of an era when the Skate Academy was finally closed and demolished in 2019. Now, in its place are residential flats. This was not the only roller-skating rink to have existed in Warrington. On May 28th 1909 the Palatine Roller Rink on the Wilderspool Causeway had opened. Later that year on Tuesday 12th October 1909 there was a second roller rink. “The Empire Skating Rink” was established by a new registered company, Empire Skating Rinks (Warrington). The company was formed by Jordan & Sons Ltd of Chancery Lane, London and Alfred H. Clive auctioneer, valuer, estate and insurance agent based at 6 Egypt Street. The rink was officially opened on Tuesday 12th October by Lady Greenall at 2.00 p.m. and early in the evening at 7.00 p.m. by Councillor Henry Roberts. The opening was also a fund-raising opportunity for the Warrington Infirmary and the Nursing Association. The proceeds were distributed equally.
The Empire Rink was positioned along Winmarleigh Street not too far from Bank Quay Station. In 1909 it was not only the largest rink in Warrington but one of the largest in Britain. To give you an idea of its size one of the floors measured 155 feet by 85 feet and was crafted from 2.5 inches deep maple. No expense was spared. There was an elevated band stand, the building was well ventilated, electric lighting, a slow heating system to keep the right temperature, two large entrance and emergency doors, the rinks had hand painted wall decorations, a lounge 70 feet by 20 feet, tea rooms, cloakrooms and lavatories for men and women, and a smoke room for the men. There were rinks for the inexperienced and the experienced skaters too. I should also mention the staff offices, a skate room and finally the manager’s room.
The Empire Skating Rink, 1909, image from the Warrington Examiner.
During 1930 the Empire Skating Rings (Warrington) appointed a new manager, Mr Edward Clarence Bright. He was also known as Teddy Bright but as we shall see there was far more to Teddy than being a skating manager. Edward Clarence Bright was born in Brighton on 3rd February 1896 to John Brailsford Bright 1854-1909 and Mary Bright nee Fowler 1859-1941. His father studied law at Balliol College, Oxford and after completing his Master of Arts in July 1881 he was called to The Bar. Two years later the couple were married in Kensington London. Teddy’s grandfather Charles Tilston Bright was an innovative electrical engineer of the mid 19th century. In 1858 at the age of 26 he was the first to supervise the laying of transatlantic telegraph cables from Trinity Bay Newfoundland to Valentia Island south of County Kerry, Ireland. His achievement was recognised several days later when he was knighted by Queen Victoria in Dublin. He went on to develop an outstanding engineering career.
Edward had four brothers and a sister: John William Horace, Robert Christopher, Charles Brailsford, Lawrence Andrew and Agnes Margaret. Sadly, their father died in 1909 at the age of 55. In 1901 the family were living at 31 Lavender Gardens Battersea but in 1911 we find that Mary and the children have moved to 292 Stanstead Road, Forest Hill South East London. Mary is the head of the household and there is a boarder, Frederick Hatcher. Frederick had something in common with four of Mary’s children who are listed: Teddy, Charles, Lawrence and Agnes. They are all professional skaters. The Brights were described as “the greatest family of ice and roller skaters”.
At the age of 14 Teddy held the distinction as the world’s youngest skating instructor. His speciality was exhibition trick skating but he did attempt speed skating. He passed the National Skaters’ Association test and professional speed test, then went on to compete against Arthur R. Eglington who was the world’s mile champion speed skater. Teddy was runner up by a mere half a second. For a period of time Teddy went on to manage a skating rink in Guernsey, travelled to South Africa and returned home to serve in World War One.
Before considering Teddy’s impact upon Warrington it is at this juncture we should investigate Teddy’s life before his arrival in May 1930. On 19th December 1914 Teddy enlisted at Grove Park, London in the Mechanical Transport of the Royal Army Service Corps (R.A.S.C.) On joining the army he stated his trade was motor driver and his age was 19 years and ten months.
From the time of his attestation in December 1914 to his discharge Teddy served for 4 years and 45 days. During this time he served as Private M2/031438 in England and with the British Expeditionary Force. (B.E.F) in France as a lorry driver. His army record details his longest period of service in France from 22nd April 1916 through to 28th August 1918. This was followed by a Furlow of 15 days. On the following day 13th September Teddy’s war came to an end, he was sent to an unnamed hospital. Then on the 9th November he was transferred back to England to the Kent and Canterbury Hospital. This was also known as Number 2 Military Hospital, Old Park Canterbury. Looking at Teddy’s service record I am unable to ascertain the reason for his admission to hospital. However, in his interview to the Examiner he said that “he was badly shell–shocked”. His service record does give an indication of the nature of Teddy’s illness as the reason it is given as paragraph 392 Kings Regulations 1912 (xvia). This is defined as “surplus to military requirements having suffered impairment since joining the service” After a period of several months Teddy was discharged from the army on 1st February 1919.
A postcard showing Kent and Canterbury Hospital around the time Teddy was there.
In recognition of his service Teddy was entitled to a Silver War Badge and Certificate. These were issued from Woolwich Dock Yard on 30th July 1919. Teddy would have worn his silver lapel badge on the righthand side of his civilian clothing. This was not only a symbol of his contribution to the war effort but it was a means of protecting men in civilian clothing who had no apparent disability. In the eyes of some people they were considered to be shirkers. In 1919 he was awarded the Victory Medal as he had served between the period of 5th August 1914 to 11th November 1918. In addition his medal card shows that he received the British War Medal and 1914-15 Star Medal. Finally, Teddy qualified for a war pension but now he faced the task of rebuilding his life.
He decided to join a touring theatre company which entertained the audiences with musical comedies. Teddy explains that whilst performing in Oldham he was selected for roles in two 1-reel silent comedy films. Shortly afterwards he progressed to appearing in several substantial silent films. From early June 1920 to September of that year the Bioscope, a trade paper for the developing film industry published several “calling cards” for Edward C. Bright. These were advertisements showing that he was available for work and that he could be contacted at his home address,21 Beauchamp Road Clapham Common SW11. Later in 1921 another calling card records that he had recently appeared in “The Channings”. Teddy was now advertising and marketing himself as a “juvenile or light character”.
On reading the Examiner article Teddy reveals that he was in five silent films, all of which were made by different studios and producers. In August 1919 “A Sinless Sinner” was released by B & C Productions. In this drama a forger’s arrest disturbs his pregnant wife to such a degree their child is born with a dual personality. Three months later, November 1919 “The Silver Lining” a horseracing drama was issued by I. B. Davidson Production Company. Silver Lining is the race favourite and race horse dopers plot to fix the race. They fail and there is a happy ending for all except the crooks who win their just deserts.
The next two films were released in 1920. The first film “Three Men In A Boat” produced by Artistic Films opened in July 1920. This was an updated version of Jerome K. Jerome’s novel published in 1889. Amongst the film critics it was met with a mixed reception. Just like today in the 21st century when a classic is updated it splits the audiences and critics. “The Channings” produced by Master Films in November 1920 was an adaptation of Ellen Wood’s 1862 mid Victorian novels. In essence the film was a crime drama in which a clerk takes the blame for his brother’s theft. This is the only film where Teddy’s name is listed. “The Kinematograph Weekly” mentions E. C. Bright who played the role of Roland Yorke. He and the other actors were praised for their performances. There is however some discrepancy as Wikipedia and IMBd websites list Cowley Wright as the actor playing Roland Yorke. Perhaps this needs to be checked further.
The last film “The Great Day” also November 1920 was produced by the Lasky Studio. Originally a stage play performed at Drury Lane “The Great Day” was made in to a film. The plot is set against the backdrop of a gigantic steel works in the Alps. The main star of the film was Arthur Bourchier a prominent British actor and theatre manager known for his Shakespearean and contemporary stage roles. Unfortunately due to ill health Teddy was not able to continue his acting career but that did not stop him from doing what he loved the most, skating.
Advertisement for the Lasky Corporation Silent film studio
On 19th June 1921, the day of the census Teddy is recorded as a visitor at 642 Lea Bridge Road, West Ham in London. He is staying with the Boswells a family of bakers and confectioners. His profession is listed as “theatrical but out of work”. Moving forward to July 1923 Teddy married Edith Isabel Cannock at Poole, Dorset. The couple moved to Bournemouth and for several years Teddy returned to his motoring skills as a way of earning a living. Motoring was not enough for Teddy and he resumed his cherished skating. During 1929 there are many newspaper advertisements for “Teddy Bright England’s Premier Trick Skater”. His recovery from ill health according to Teddy was due to skating and the popularity of the sport also drew him back. Prior to his appointment at Warrington Teddy was manager at Cardiff Skating Rink and later floor manager at Granby Halls Skating Rink, Leicester. On his arrival at Warrington he spoke of the high numbers of people in Warrington who could use roller skates. Most were basic skaters rather than dance skaters. At Warrington Teddy worked with Miss Bobbie Webber who was appointed floor manageress and instructress. Teddy had worked with Bobbie at Leicester where she was also an instructress. It was at Leicester Teddy embarked upon dancing with a partner, Bobbie Webber. Teddy spoke of Bobbie’s outstanding achievement in the late 1920s. She had raced on roller skates on the annual Brighton to London race a distance of 52 miles in five hours and finished in second place. Looking on the internet there are short silent archive films from British Pathe News of the races on youtube.com. However I am unable to accurately identify Bobbie as only the winners are named via the subtitles.
Teddy had plans for Warrington. Amongst his ideas were a café, extra space for spectators, enlarging the rink and redecoration. He also wanted to form a racing team as he had done in Leicester. Under his training and guidance competitions could be held with teams from other towns. Another option was training hockey teams for the new season. One of his first initiatives for Saturdays was to award spot prizes and in the morning a children’s skating session led by the staff. Commenting on the learners’ annexe Teddy used a term popular amongst skating professionals “mugs’ alley”. He wanted learners to take full advantage of the facilities and the expertise of his staff. Teddy also stressed how he wanted ideas from the public too.
Later that week Teddy and Bobbie skate danced for the large audience with the assistance of the covering rink conductor Mervyn Foxhall and rink band. Wearing blue costumes with a spotlight accompanying them the couple performed several dances: The Jailer, Staircase Waltz, the Cut-a-way-waltz and Drop Three Walz. Their performances were met with excitement and an encore followed. Over the proceeding months two of Teddy’s brothers also performed at Warrington, Charlie speed skating and Lawrence figure and trick skated. After a period of a few months Teddy and Bobbie left Warrington in late August 1930. Although Teddy did not stay long at Warrington his extrovert personality, skills and enthusiasm were clearly appreciated. Not only that but he was described as “a charming man by the Examiner journalist.
His personal circumstances were to change radically as in November 1930 Teddy’s wife Edith sued for divorce. There was evidence of Teddy living in Chester with Marjorie P. Webber. Marjorie was in fact “Bobbie Webber”. Teddy and Bobbie were married at Nantwich in Cheshire early 1932. Now Teddy and Bobbie were hired by the Grosvenor Roller Skating Rink in Chester. The new rink opened on 30th August so Teddy and Bobbie were there from day one. Later Teddy and Bobbie worked at Stratford-Upon-Avon, Sutton and Epson where Teddy was described as “The Wizard of the Wheels”. Their daughter Gaynor Muriel was born on 3rd July 1931 in Kingston, Surrey. From Sutton the couple moved to Coventry in 1937 where Teddy and Bobbie were offered employment by Swift Rink. Four years prior to this Teddy’s brother Charlie held the same position. All did not go well as in March 1938 they were dismissed from their permanent posts. In a court action Teddy and Bobbie won their case for wrongful dismissal and were awarded costs.
On the 3rd September 1939 War was declared. Teddy and Marjorie were living at 64 Broadway, Earlsdon in Coventry. Marjorie was a housewife and Teddy was a furnishing representative. He was also an Air Raid Warden. Twenty- eight years later, November 1967 a series of articles were published in the “Coventry Evening Telegraph” by reporter John Evans telling the story of “the great raid on Coventry”. Remembering the blitz Teddy’s voice could be heard. He was one of the witnesses to the bombing of Coventry in November 1940 as an Air Raid Warden. He recalled the evening hundreds of incendiaries were dropped at Greyfriars Green south of the city. “The Green had become a garden of Roman Candles”. They stood upright burning. Teddy along with three colleagues stomped to put them out. Shortly afterwards a woman shouted for help and they discovered “rubble, bodies and blood”. Teddy had never seen so much blood he felt faint.
Such horrific experiences must have played on Teddy’s and Marjorie’s mind. Records show their daughter Gaynor sailing from Liverpool on 31st January 1941 on the S.S.M.V. Georgic bound for New York. On 11th February 1941 Gaynor aged 9 arrived in New York to be with her father. Teddy was staying with his friend Perry B. Rawson at 1 Asbury Park, New Jersey. Perry B. Rawson was a retired stockbroker and a passionate amateur skater. In fact at his home address 1 Asbury Park, prior to World War Two he constructed a skating rink where he would give demonstrations and lessons in skate dancing. Rawson also published many skating manuals too. Whilst Teddy returned to Britian, Gaynor was to live with Perry and his sister May for most of the war. Both were amateur roller skating champions and whilst Gaynor lived at Asbury Park she earned distinctions for her roller skating. In February 1945 aged 13 Gaynor returned home to Coventry.
A scene of the Coventry Blitz
During October 1944 Teddy was taken to court by his employers John Anslow Limited. His crime was embezzlement. The company sold furniture, curtains, fabrics and tailormade items. Teddy had been employed as a salesman since 1938. The manager reported that there were discrepancies in the accounts. It was discovered that Teddy had failed to bank monies paid by customers. Teddy admitted his errors, apologised and was fined £102. 1s 7d. He could not explain why he had committed theft as he did not have any financial problems. The company owner spoke on Teddy’s behalf saying that Teddy would pay the money back and he had a new job. This would give him the opportunity to recover his reputation. What the new job was I am not certain but his work situation did change when he set up a company with Leslie Gray Chennells as textile wholesalers. In May 1951 the company was mutually dissolved and Teddy continued the company now known as “Edward C. Bright and Company”. This was not his only business as he owned a driving school. Teddy was a Royal Automobile Club (R.A.C.) registered instructor. He opened the business in 1948 and in 1967 at the age of 71 he was still the proprietor of “The Broadway School of Motoring”.
During the 1950s Marjorie travelled to America to visit Gaynor their daughter who had recently married an American citizen. Gaynor emigrated in 1951 with Victor Heide who was a trumpeter and comedian. Teddy continued in business and there are sporadic letters and a poem written by Teddy which were published in the local newspaper “The Coventry Evening Telegraph”. On 24th August 1969 Teddy passed away. Marjorie continued to live at their home at 2 Spencer Avenue in Coventry until her death on 17th March 1993. Gaynor lived the rest of her life in the United States and passed away in Minneapolis on 17th August 2017.
What can we say about Teddy? Edward Clarence Bright came from a privileged background but rather than following a conventional profession he along with his siblings pursued a different path. Skating was an extremely popular sport and through his abilities and hard work Teddy was able to fulfil some of his ambitions. His World War One experiences impacted upon Teddy but a return to skating enabled his recovery. He was unconventional and not afraid to take chances. His silent film appearances were minor but he did try. Even though he was in Warrington for a short period of time Teddy made his presence known. He brought enthusiasm and sparkle.
Today roller skating in Warrington is a memory. It is the same in many towns and cities. The old skating rink was eventually demolished and in its place there are residential apartments. It shares the same fate as The Skate Academy.
