From the Guide files of Friday, May 25, 1979: ACTOR Colin Griffiths stepped at the last minute in to join the cast of the "Merry Widow" after the leading man fell ill.

Michael Openshaw had been rehearsing for the role of Danilo in the PADOS production for months, but was struck down with a throat infection. Colin stepped in with just a few hours notice.

REGULARS at the Parkside Hotel, Heaton Park, were about to set off for a sponsored walk to Blackpool. The group, who were in fancy dress, hoped to raise £2,000 for the Margaret Whitehead School for Handicapped Children mini-bus appeal.

PRESTWICH Hospital Sports and Social Club football team won the Hulme Celtic Cup after beating Simon Engineering, from Cheadle Hulme, 1-0. Since forming a few years previously, the Prestwich Hospital team won promotion every year in the Manchester Industrial League and at the time of this win were on the verge of being promoted to Division 1.

PUPILS at St Michael's RC Junior School, Ribble Drive, won the Greater Manchester Police Junior Road Safety Quiz for the second year running. They beat Hollins County Primary in the final 61 and a half points to 51 based on questions from the Highway Code.

SCOUTING in Prestwich and Whitefield was described as "very satisfactory" at the AGM of the Prestwich and Whitefield District Council. District Commissioner Mr John Fogg reported the number of youngsters in the movement as being 604 compared to 614 in 1978. The number of leaders in the district totalled 89, which meant there was just over one leader to every seven Scouts -- a situation Mr Fogg described as "very satisfactory".