It's 75 years and counting for the Thornton Cleveleys Operatic Society Photography by Kirsty Thompson
Ralph Duxbury was in his teens when he saw a small advert in his local paper for a new opera company. He was one of 12 people who attended the group’s inaugural meeting and 75 years on he is now the president of the society.
Much has changed since the curtain went up on the Thornton Cleveleys Operatic Society’s first production of The Mikado, but much else remainsthe same.Current society chairman Alison Edwards, a relative newcomer, having joined 22 years ago, said: ‘There has always been a really nice atmosphere around the group and that’s shown in the fact that Ralph, who is now 95, is still a member and we have some other members who have been here a long time too.‘Our founder was Tom Greenall and his daughter Casilda Jackson
Ralph Duxbury was in his teens when he saw a small advert in his local paper for a new opera company. He was one of 12 people who attended the group’s inaugural meeting and 75 years on he is now the president of the society.
Much has changed since the curtain went up on the Thornton Cleveleys Operatic Society’s first production of The Mikado, but much else remainsthe same.
Current society chairman Alison Edwards, a relative newcomer, having joined 22 years ago, said: ‘There has always been a really nice atmosphere around the group and that’s shown in the fact that Ralph, who is now 95, is still a member and we have some other members who have been here a long time too.
‘Our founder was Tom Greenall and his daughter Casilda Jackson is an ex-chairman of the society who still attends rehearsals every Tuesday.’
The society is based in its own rehearsal hall on Ritherham Avenue which was opened in 1964 by Violet Carson and performs two shows a year – their latest production, Me and My Girl, will open at Fleetwood’s Marine Hall on Tuesday October 25.
Alison believes many of the current cast – some of whom are as young as 16 – have got what it takes to follow in the footsteps of former members and make their names in showbiz. Last year’s Dancing on Ice champion Hayley Tamaddon and Fleetwood-born opera sensation Alfie Boe are among the stars who began their careers with the society which has also seen comedian Charlie Chester and Coronation Street actress Violet Carson serve as honorary patrons.
And Alison, who prefers a behind the scenes role added: ‘It is quite a commitment, we have rehearsals every week and sometimes two or three times a week, but the rewards make it worth the effort.
‘Musical theatre seems to be going from strength to strength at the moment and it is possible that television programmes like the X Factor have played a part in that and have given young people the confidence to give it a go.’
Is your club or society celebrating a special event or anniversary? If so, drop a line to the editor at roger.borrell@lancashirelife.co.uk
The print version of this article appeared in the October 2011 issue of Lancashire Life
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