Mike Jackson, of Oxhey, wrote in with further recollections of The Trade and some of the rising stars who appeared there in the 1960's.

He writes: "The Trade Union Hall still exists it was rebuilt and reopened just three years ago and is on the top floor of The Trades and Labour Club in Woodford Road.

"The original plaque to the unemployed buiding workers is in the new hall. Watford Labour Party uses it for its monthly meetings and Claire Ward MP had her parliamentary candidate adoption meeting in April.

"The original building was demolished to make way for the development on the corner of Clarendon Road only a few years ago. Sadly, it had fallen into decay and was unused.

"However, it was the venue for political and trade union meetings up until 1983. It boasted by reputation the finest dance floor in Watford and was famous for its Saturday dances between the wars and into the 1950's "It was adopted by the Mods in 1963 and became a regionally famous venue and scene for R&B and emerging mod music. On a Saturday and Sunday night the road would be packed with mods and scooters waiting for the doors to open.

"Inside, it would be heaving for a big group. I remember seeing The Who in there in 1965. It was so packed and hot that condensation was running down the brown walls. Roger Daltrey appeared at a window next to where we were standing. He was 'blocked' - completely out of his head (on drugs). It seemed inconceivable that he would play but the band were on stage 20 minutes later belting out I Can't Explain, Anyhow, Anywhere, Anyway and, of course, My Generation.

"The Trade pretty well died from 1966. It couldn't rally compete with the brand new Top Rank ballroom. I went to it for the last time in March 1966. I left Watford in the April for the north where I got into the Northern Soul Scene the Twisted Wheel, etc returning to Watford in 1968. The Trade was long dead by then but the Top Rank was still going strong. The Mods had gone as well. Some were 'hippies' into west coast american music or into ska/rock steady music and the emerging 'skinhead' movement. The Top Rank played the first Tamla Motown revival in 1969.