ALAN WHALLEY'S WORLD

THE song may be ended . . . but the memories linger on for Sammy Wright of Haydock who got a mention in my picture-piece a couple of weeks ago.

The flashback photo featured pre-war Gilbert & Sullivan performers on stage at the old Parr Central boys' school.

Writes Sammy, from The Close, Haydock: "The picture brought back bitter-sweet memories.

"In 1938, our singing classes were entirely confined to the words and music of The Pirates of Penzance. This ensured that everyone was familiar with it before the actual auditions."

But Sammy blew his chance when he experienced his first attack of stage fright. Although he knew the words, nothing would come out!

"My only part in both productions was painting scenery," confesses Sammy. "Incidentally, the two principals in the centre of the stage are Marco and Guiseppi and the good-looking one on the left is Ronnie Griffiths from Chancery Lane, Parr."

And Sammy signs-off with a delicious bit of dark humour. "It was nice of David Hughes (sender of the flashback photo) to mention my name.

"It was even more comforting to see it printed in Whalley's World. All-too-often, readers rely on the obituary columns for the 'latest results.'"

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.