Professional skater

Jane Huckle
Photo from the private collection of Trevor Chepstow

A popular skater, Jane was a double silver medallist who turned professional in 1941. As head chorus girl, she appeared in most of the shows produced at the Sports Stadium by the famous impresario Tom Arnold and his co-producer Gerald Palmer.

‘Ice Circus’ of 1951
Jane could be seen practising one of the comedy acts for the preparation of Tom Arnold’s “Ice Circus” of 1951. The introduction of summer Ice Circuses at the rink proved very popular with the residents of Brighton. The shows involved tigers, bears, sea lions and a variety of animals, many of which are gone from current circuses of today.

Head chorus girl
Being in charge as head chorus girl was no mean feat as some of the shows contained over fifty girls, many local. Much to the entertainment of regular visitors to the shows, the girls’ hair colour would change on a regular basis, mostly to blonde as, apparently, they were paid an extra pound a week if they changed their hair colour to blonde!

Married Alan Weeks
Jane was married to Alan Weeks, who joined the staff as publicity manager after the war. He went on to become internationally famous as the popular voice of sport on television and radio for the BBC.

Comments about this page

  • Can anyone tell me where I can contact Jane Weeks? I am related to her and would like to make contact with her if possible. Thank you.

    By Karen Neilly (29/11/2009)
  • My late friend, the lovely Mary Huckle was the Sister-in-law of Jane Weeks. Mary married Jane’s brother. Mary was also a professional skater and looked a lot like Jane even when she was in her 80’s. I would have taken them for sisters rather than sisters-in-law. I understand that Mary was with Alan Weeks when he died.

    By Heather Wilson (27/12/2009)
  • Hello, I am Alan and Jane Weeks’ granddaughter and if anyone would like to contact me about either of my grandparents, please feel free to do so. Email: faye-82@hotmail.co.uk

    By Faye Weeks (16/03/2010)
  • Hi Faye! Having lost touch with your Grandmother we would love to know how to get hold of her again. Paul and your Grandad worked together on Sports Aid Foundation when you were still a very little girl. We remember you from that time. Do email me and give me a phone number where we could reach Jane. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your Dad too ! Helen.

    By Helen and Paul Zetter (21/12/2010)
  • Hi Helen, I do remember both you and Paul. How lovely to hear from you. If you would like to email me I can reply to you with an update, sorry but I cannot see an email address for you here. Hope to hear from you soon.

    Editor’s note: You have to put your email address in the body of your message – otherwise as you see – it doesn’t show on the page. Sorry but we can’t forward email addresses to anyone as we have too many requests to do this.

    By Faye Weeks (29/12/2010)

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