OBITUARY

PHILIP PROSSER

It is with deep sadness that I report the untimely death of Philip Prosser, Honorary Life Member of Knutsford AOS and holder of the NODA 50 years' long service award.

Phil joined KAOS at the age of seventeen and remained a member for 52 years. He appeared in virtually every show performed by the society and gave invaluable support to the society both on and off stage. He will be greatly missed and I join with his many friends and colleagues in expressing sincere sympathy to his wife Bessie, daughter Helen and grandson, Sebastian. (David Parkes)

WILLIAM (BILL) WALKER

May I, through your column, pay special tribute to William Walker, known to his friends as Bill, who died on 11 November.

Bill was a wonderful amateur actor, although to call him amateur is doing him a disservice. He played with many local amateur groups and I have some wonderful memories of him at Accrington Arts Club where he triumphed in A Lion in Winter among many other roles.

In Accrington Amateurs he made the part of the old man in Brigadoon come alive. For Bel Canto his performance as Dvorak in Summer Song was memorable and his favourite. I had the privilege of playing with him in A Month of Sundays and My Three Angels at Burnley Garrick. He was magic to be with and taught us all such a lot about dedication to a role.

In Accrington Drama Group he was a leading light, often directing the plays, and at Rossendale Amateur Operatic Society he produced Oliver!.

He was a great mentor and often gave us lesser thespians the benefit of his experience. I remember approaching Bill for guidance on make-up for a gruesome character that I was playing for Hyndburn Pathfinders. He showed me how to be extremely ugly (some might say not so difficult!) and he would help many of our younger players with things that they found difficult. Always willing to help, that was Bill. He was so versatile. Serious drama one minute and pantomime the next - pantomime where he excelled at playing the "baddie".

There isn't room here to mention all the societies that Bill was involved with so I apologise. He was associated with Oswaldtwistle Players, where he played a wonderful Willie Mossop in Hobson 's Choice, and the Conchord Singers. His "piece de resistance" was a one-man show depicting the life and works of Charles Dickens.
A giant among amateur actors. We shall miss you Bill.
BARBARA WATSON

JUNE HARRIS

(1935 - 2005)

Sadly on June 13th, just a week after celebrating her 70th birthday with her family, June lost her battle to overcome the trauma of a tough operation.

It is true to say that second only to her love and devotion to her family, the greater part of her life was dedicated to "the Amateurs". She joined Accrington Amateurs - now Accrington Theatre Group - in the '50s as a dancer. And throughout the years carried out various roles, eventually becoming prompt and society secretary and finally, production secretary. Ensuring the future and well-being of the group was June's goal.

June will be sadly missed.