NUDGE open the door of nostalgia and the memories come pouring out.

Former detective inspector Geoff Broadhead of Huddersfield CID, now retired, confirms The Candlelight was on Northgate near to Carter's Agricultural Suppliers which is where the Jaguar garage is now located.

“The Candlelight was a cafe/restaurant run by a chap called Peter Gill who, prior to opening this eatery, was the chef at the Top Ten Nightclub in Southgate, employed by Mr Joe Marsden (Senior).”

Kev Andrews of Honley remembers that the steaks at The Candlelight were terrific.

“After a night out I would end up in the Casino and if I just had enough money for a taxi home, I would put it on roulette, either red and black. If I lost, I was walking. If I won, I could have a steak at The Candlelight AND get a taxi home.”

Norman Johnson, former landlord of The Slubbers Arms, says The Candlelight was run by Peter the chef and his brother Billy. They worked such long hours that sometimes Peter would fall asleep in the kitchen. It was a cafe during the day and a restaurant at night.

“The steaks were great. Peter would put a lump of meat on the carving board and ask how thick you wanted it. Then he'd carve it and cook it.”

He also suggested it was mainly a male preserve.

“In the early hours, they would sometimes project striptease films onto the walls. You could be standing having a drink with a naked boob on your shirt. The Sunset club on Manchester Road used to do the same thing.

“In those days, when pubs shut early, you would go on to the clubs. When we came out of The Regent, we would sometimes go to a curry place in the front room of a house off Bradford Road. It was very basic.

“To visit the outside toilet in a yard at the back, the chap gave you a key attached to a bobbin.

“One night I'd been outside and got lost in the yard in the dark. Instead of going into the curry house, I walked straight into someone's back room. A West Indian gentleman was sitting watching television and he just said: 'Next door', as if it happened all the time.”

Ian, whose second name had better remain anonymous, talked of epic Saturday nights in days of yore that sound as if they should not have been attempted without the aid of rope, name tag on lapel, a St Bernard's dog to go for help, and an ambulance on stand by.

“Every Saturday night I went around the pubs in town, then to Johnny's, then the Mondego, then, at around five in the morning, to The Candlelight for something to eat. Then I'd walk home on Sunday morning along the railway line to Honley and by 12 o'clock I'd be in The Allied.”

This is a routine that I must stress, should not be attempted unless you seriously want to damage your health.