A LITTLE black book with a difference arrived at The Citizen office this week...
The black-covered autograph book was sent with an anonymous note, hoping that we could find the owner.
So if you are - or know of - the Willacy family who lived in Beecham Street, Morecambe, in 1949, we would like to hear from you!
The book is inscribed on the fly-leaf: "To Edna, on her 9th birthday, April 22 1949 from Mr and Mrs W. Platt." Underneath, written in pencil in a different hand is: "Edna Willacy, 13 Beecham Street, Morecambe". The little book contains verses, sayings, and even some musical excerpts, one entitled 'Practice Makes Perfect', signed by "Mr Mills, April '49".
Other signatures are by 'Dad', 'Mam' (possibly Edna Willacy), 'Mrs Edith Willacy', 'Auntie Gertie', 'Nellie Wilson', 'Ella Mills', 'Dorothy Greenhalgh' and 'B. Sykes'. Other entries are just signed 'Kathleen' and 'Arthur'. Most are dated 1949.
The only famous name - that of the actress Anna Neagle - is not a signature but appears in red type, apparently cut out from a letter-head. Underneath is written: "taken from one of Anna Neagle's personal letters. Sept 12 1950".
The final entry in the book, on the back cover in the bottom left-hand corner, is: "By hook or by crook, I'll be last in this book", signed by 'Dad' on April 22 1949 - the young Edna's birthday.
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