BACK in the pre-TV days the amateur stage flourished throughout the UK, writes DAVID HODGKINSON.

Here stage-struck groups kept up a constant and flowery flow of productions, both dramatic and operatic.

None were more enthusiastically received than those emerging from the Briarcroft.

Schoolteacher Clara Ormesher, who was 90 around Christmas, was at the centre of many a show.

And a book of her photographs, programmes and cuttings is proudly kept by her niece, Brenda Ormesher, of St Helens Road, Leigh.

They clearly show the remarkable dramatic contributions made at the Briarcroft through the 30s, 40s and early 50s.

"It's hard to imagine it now, but Aunt Clara was a wonderful stage trouper," said Brenda.

One of her earliest memories is a cutting from 1931 when Clara played the eponymous hero in the pantomime "Dick Whittington."

One of the latest is a programme for a play entitled "You Can't Take it With You" in November 1952.

"Will ladies please remove their hats," beseeched the programme compiler for the show presented by "Atherton Collieries Dramatic Society at Briarcroft Little Theatre".

The play was directed by Clara, the stage manager was Tom Ormesher and the cast included Tom and Jeffrey Ormesher.

In an earlier play - "The Fourth Wall" in December 1948 - again directed by Clara, the cast included Isiah Ormesher . . . Clara's father.

Twelve months later came the farce "See How They Run" - "All seats 2/6d (reserved), children 1/6d".

It was a play in which I appeared some five years ago. I was The Intruder, a role taken all those years ago by Arthur Clewes.

Ahh, the memories! Briarcroft: Tom's magic filled the drama bill THE annual Drama Festival was a feature of life in local theatre. Sadly, they are now just memories, writes DAVID HODGKINSON.

But the Briarcroft was the stage for many a glittering evening with the annual Atherton Drama Festival which was born during wartime Britain in 1943.

The sixth year had been reached by 1948 with societies from Risley, Wilmslow, Hulton, St Joseph's at Leigh, and the Occasional Players (Atherton) joining the host company.

"During the intervals Tom H Roche gave exhibitions of conjuring," reported the Journal.

Problems in the ninth year at the now-named Briarcroft Little Theatre (March 1951) with a late withdrawal by Yew Tree (Wythenshawe).

Into the breach stepped host society Atherton Collieries DS with "Admetus", directed by Clara Ormesher and featuring Roland Metcalf, Arthur Clewes, Mary Longson, Tom H Roche (he of the magic act), Hartley Charnock, Wilfrid Charnock, Brenda Owen, Tom L Ormesher, Ena Harrop and Mavis Skelton.

BBC's North Region producer adjudicated Wilmslow Guild Drama Group as winners with their production of "The Proposal."

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