I heard a story yesterday from a colleague that the Ritz or the Dancing School was haunted at some time. Whether this was during the time it was open or after it had closed and was derelict I don't know, but I heard there was a sighting of a black monk.

Anyone else heard this story?.

It might have been the Ritz manager Derek Fuller in fancy dress.
He was always good for a laugh and he had a good eye for publicity.

Not seen Derek for a while. Hope he's ok .

I think he was living at Standish lower ground when I last came across him .

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Don't know about it being haunted, but my first date with m wife was also at the Ritz.The African Queen was showing.

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Golden Bear I don't think we are the only ones to go on their first date to the Ritz, but whether they went on to marry could narrow it down a bit.

Did the Ritz have double seats ? Is that why it was popular with courting couples.
It reminds me of the postcard in my photos

From what I recalled, the sighting of the monk occurred when it was still open, not long before it closed around 1997.

Speaking of ghosts, but I heard of the Lady Mabel ghost of Haigh Hall.

My first date with Peter was to see Bonnie and Clyde at The Ritz; I was 15 and he was 17. He bought a box of Clarnico Mint Creams at the kiosk and we sat on the back row. He never took his eyes off the screen, ate all the mint creams without offering me one and made me come out before the end because they all got shot! We are now 64 and 66 and I am STILL with him.....I must be potty!
I must admit, there is something quite spooky about an empty cinema or theatre, or a derelict one. I used to help out at Wigan Little Theatre and was on my own in the bar one night when they were doing Jane Eyre. The play started with an eerie, moaning Yorkshire-Moors wind, and the sound technicians had accidentally sent it through to the bar instead of the auditorium....the hair on the back of my neck stood on end!

Go into Rirz Cinema on photos and it looks like people sitting on the left hand side! (No, I haven't been drinking).

It was one of my haunts with young ladies back in the 60's