www.clitherooadvortiser.co.uk Thursday, Marchtt 2® I CUTHEROEADVEKIISER&TniES
Thursday, March 12,2015
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CUTHER0EADVERT1SERST1MES VALLEY ENTERTAINMENT A new book tells the story of the woman who the ukulele playing film star became engaged to
by Eric Beard sworth
eric.beardsworth@
jpress.co.uk Twitter ©cfithadvertiser
Lancashire starGeorge Formbybrought passing fame toaRibbleVaileyinnwhenhe announced his enagagement to a woman 20 years his junior in1961.
The press flocked to the Moorcock Inn, Waddington, to photograph and interview the toothy ukulele-playing comedian and film star with his fiancee Pat Dowson, a reli gious schoolteacher from Pen- wortham, Preston. Preston-born author
Andrew Atkinson recalls the Mooorcock connection in a new book about Pat Howson in “Formby’s Lost Love” to mark the 54th anniversary of the “turned out nice again” star’s death in March, 1961, George FormbyandPatHowsoncelebratetheirengagementinFebruary1961 atTheMoorcocklnn, Waddington.
just days before his scheduled wedding. Formby, one of the biggest stars of the 1930s and 40s, used to buy his Bentley andRollsRoycecarsfrpmPat’s father Fred, general manager at Loxham’s car showrooms, Preston. Pat was a schoolgirl at the time. Years later, after Formby’s
domineering w ife and manager Beryl died, Formby booked the Moorcock Inn, Waddington, to announce his engagement to Pat, who was by nowinher30s. The Moorcock, now closed
as an inn, was one of his favourite places to stay. The national and local
media flocked there on F eb ru a ry 14, 1961, St Valentine’s Day, to hear the couple name the day they were to wed at St Francis Church, Goosnargh. Just days later, Formby died at St Joseph’s Hospital,
Preston, following a heart a tta ck. He was just 56.
F o rm b y le f t th e equivalent
of £2.2501 to Pat in his will, which was contested by Formby’s family.
A High Courtjudgementin
London in 1965 ruled in Pat’s favour, but she lived a life of woe and was set to becomes nun when she died of cancer, aged 46, in 1971. Pat’s father Fred became
estranged from the family - an alcoholic - and died a
lonely, destitute man, living in a caravan in Garstang. The author’s interviews
withfriendsofFormbyandPat Howson, along with previously unpublished photographs, reveal an in-depth insight into Pat Howson’s time with the Wigan-born star. Toorderacopyof’Formby’s
Lost Love’, contact the author Andrew Atkinson on:
lancashiremedia@talktalk.net
Prize showcase for talented local artist
Paintings by talented local a r t is t David Gudgeon are currently on show at The Steward's Gallery at Clitheroe Castle. Over the past few years,
Anyone who can play music or fancies singing in a group is being invited to join the new Ribble Valley 1940s Mu sic Group. Formed by Ribble Valley
Music and based at Christ Church, Chatburn, the new group will be led by profes sional musician Gaynor Sut- • cliffe, and will learn music and ' songs from the 1940s. Gaynorwilllendher exper
tise from her teaching career, and professional performanc es in a fun environment with out anyone being put on the spot or being asked to sing or play solo, unless they wish to. Gaynor said: “I am really
excited
about.setting up a music group. ’ “It will really be great to
give people the opportunity to come together and have fun singing and playing music. “There is a wealth of music
from the 1940’s that is popu lar with a lot of people, both to perform and to listen to, and I am sure that there are people who could well have hidden talents yet to be discovered.” The new group provides,
an opportunity for people of all ages to make friends and enjoy performing music in a fun, informal environment; with no auditions and no need to read music. There are also possibilities'
for the development ofbehind the scene activities such as make-up and props to create a 1940s experience. Ribble Valley Music organ
iser Clive Greenwood said: “It is often said that music brings people together. In addition to
thesocialbenefits.ithasbeen found that there is also a lot to be gained from the emotion al, physical and mental health benefits that music provides.” Anyone is welcome and the
first session is a free taster for trial and without obligation. Further sessions are £5
each on a pay as you go basis. Weekly sessions will take
place from 7 to 8-30 pm on Wednesdays at the recently refurbished and improved
: Christ Church Chatburn from April 22nd until 15th July. •- Registration forms can
be obtained by ringing 01254 384893orbyemailtocUveand-
barbara@btinternet.com
Dave has taken part in open exhibitions at the Ribble Valley Arts Studio in Clitheroe and at the Steward’s Gallery, where his painting of a rainy street scene was chosen as the winner of last summer's Ribble Valley Open Art Exhibition. His prize is the current exhibition of his work at The Steward’s Gallery, which runs until May 3rd. in the Steward’s Gallery during the summer of 2014, where Dave’s painting
depictingarainystreetscene was chosen as the winner of the exhibition themed around Ribble Valley Water. The exhibition on show today is Dave’s prize. After leaving school at 15
Dave attended Blackburn Art School, but only for 12
months.Gainfulemployment followedandafterseveral dif ferent jobs, he eventually set up his own business manu
facturing Tiffany-style lamps and leaded light panels.
During this period draw
ing and painting became his main pastime, but as a keen
Dave Gudg eon’s paint ing ofarainy street scene, which won lastsummer’s OpenArtex- hibition prize, and (above) anotherofhis pieces.
sportsman he also played football for Clitheroe and Darwen clubs, enjoyed golf
and took part in motor cycle ■ trials and races.
'
-Afterfinishingwork.Dave became totally immersed in
drawing and painting. He has had some solo exhibitions in
his home town of Darwen and his new exhibition in Chthe- roe showcases an eclectic se lection of subject matter in
.. The Steward's Gallery is open daily from noon to4P* and from 11 am to 4 Pm aBer
his paintings.
consists of a three bedroom listed cottage, approximately nine acres of grazing land, al most five acres of woodland, stable buildings and a dry
S
et amid the rural splendour of the beautiful Hod- der Valley, this fabulous property
equestrian arena. Described by the agent
as a “true lifestyle opportu nity”, this delightful home is perfect for the equestrian
enthusiast. The Grade 11 stone cot
tage is nestled between the farmhouse and recently converted barn. The stone
mullion windows are in com plete keeping with the period property, with a central front door leading into a hand somely sized living room, with stone flagged floors and a magnificent stone open grate fireplace. The flagged floor contin ues through to the kitchen
area, where a contempo rary style fitted kitchen with oak counters leads on again through to a utility room. The lower level single en- suite bedroom is perfect for a semi-independent teenager. Upstairs, two stunning
bedrooms, both with vaulted ceilings, also boast boarded
pitch pine floors. The sec ond bedroom has an ensuite 3-piece shower room and there is also a main house bathroom. To the front of the cottage
is a private garden area, with adjacent car parking. The property is also of
fered for sale as separate lots.
For details,.... contact: ,
ANDERTON BOSONNET
8 YORK STV CLITHEROE: 01200428691
Property
anderton bosonnet
' 1 . . .-/T r ie d ■ ■/T e s te d . -
- -
ptai^;yourproperty search at CLITHEROEAPyERTISERiCO^Uk/PROPERTY INSIDE: PROPERTY SPOTLIGHT PAGE 28, LETTINGS PROPERTY PAGE 48, HOME OF DISTINCTION PAGE 54
/T ru s te d . . Advertiser and 1 imes A'Jhe Clitheroe
Tel: 01200 428691 r n
27
IMATC AGENCY • RL5IOLN1IAI Lf TUNGS
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