Wigan Album

That's Stan Havard (sadly no longer with us) seconf left

I remember the boys faces but sadly not the names.However who could forget Tricky Hilton.We had some great times camping with him and occassionaly we went off in that huge old carof his for a days fishing....great man.

The lad on the right of the 2nd row is Malcolm Beckett or Burkett and his nickname was 'Bucket'. I remember being at a swimming gala and Malcolm was swimming, I was cheering him on shouting 'come on Bucket'. His grandmother was sat near to me and she gave me a right telling off she said 'his name is Bekett or Burkett not Bucket'.

Hi Carl, I think his name was 'BIRKETT' I think he went on to play the trombone at a high level?

Malcolm Birkett played trombone with us, at the TLS concert for local schools, see photo "Mozart & Pops share the billing". I played piano, Tricky Hilton drums, Fred Archer Clarinet, and Ellis Collier electric guitar. We played Frankie & Johnny, and Stranger on the Shore. We had to practice on the fish box piano in the room behind the stage, but I was allowed the grand for the "do" which was hauled to the opposite side of the stage for the occasion. Once, Fred Archer and I sneaked into the hall while we were supposed to be rehearsing in the "band room", and got a roasting for actually touching the grand, and murdering the Warsaw Concerto. At least that's what Clarence Thorpe said!!!! It was a very gentle roasting from Clarence though. There was no start to our talent in those days. My music teacher, Norman Leather, ex dance band leader from Darlington Street thought I had hidden shallows!!! We always played better after a bottle of plonk from the Duro Wine Shop in Makinson's Arcade at lunch time. I personally still do come to think of it.

I remember Fred Archer playing "Stranger on the Shore" at one of the end-of-year concerts. Afterwards Jim Yeo said "Wow - Archer Bilk!"

Mr C R Thorpe once told us - very quietly - that his middle name was Radford. It was his mother's maiden name. A great guy - with perfect pitch!