Quiz

night

Last Friday was bitterly cold, and although we escaped the snow, we still endured icy rain. We didn't think anyone would come to our quiz night, but got prepared just in case some brave souls decided to venture out on the freezing January night. As it turned out, we were really amazed that so many did! A good crowd turned out for what proved a very enjoyable evening - it really was worth the effort. Thanks go to Ann Lankshear and Liz Jenkins for organising the usual superb buffet - and thanks to all who contributed to the feast. And, of course, a big thank you to our quizmaster Pauline Waters. Congratulations go to our winners (in the photograph left to right): Amanda and Bob Schopp, quizmaster Pauline Waters, Peter and Gaynor Thomas, this month's Monkton Masterminds.

The Rotary Variety Shows

Last week I wrote about the war time concerts in which Frank Harries and Dennis Williams took part in St. Mary's Catholic Church Hall, Pembroke Dock. The concerts may have ended after those war years, but they did have a certain legacy.

I expect many of you will remember the Rotary Variety Shows in the Pater Hall in the '80s and '90s.

These were produced by Frank Harries who gave me the story.

"When I first joined Rotary, I was asked to help raise funds and the idea of a variety show was discussed. I had stage experience from those wartime concerts when, as a lad, I performed a double act with my brother Leslie as Flanagan and Allen. I hadn't acted since, but it was drawing on this experience which enabled me to write and produce the variety shows.

"It all began around 1980. I asked the Rotary members if they would be prepared to audition to go on stage and was pleasantly surprised at the response. We rehearsed every Wednesday night at St. Teilo's Church Hall and the variety shows were performed in Pater Hall."

He added: "I must admit to feeling a certain amount of trepidation at the time but the first show was so successful that I was asked to do another - I never looked back!"

These shows were so popular that they actually carried on for 20 years, sometimes twice yearly. They played on a Friday and Saturday night and tickets included a sit down meal provided by the ladies of the Inner Wheel, a good night out! Above all, Frank stressed, it was a team effort, people getting together to raise money for charity. He has many happy memories of the talented people who worked with him to produce the shows.

"In the early years, our compere was Frank Davies from Milford Rotary Club and the musical team were Myrna and David Morgan. In later years, Brian Harries, of Haverfordwest Rotary, compered the shows and Christine Lloyd and Jenny Griffiths composed the musical team. Dennis Williams played the drums with Reg Horne supplying the sound effects."

Frank was also very grateful for the contribution of his late wife, Tessa.

"She was my mentor, sitting patiently while I tried out my lines on her. I actually wrote 211 sketches over the years! Tessa also used to make many of the costumes."

Such happy memories. "Some of my best actors were the late Rev. Alan Thomas and Dr. Victor Davies. One of the favourite acts was 'Swan Lake' and I still laugh at the thought of Alan Thomas dressed in a tutu striding on to the stage in welly boots and smoking a pipe! Hilarious! Incidentally, 'Swan Lake' was recently shown on 'You've Been Framed' which resulted in ITV giving us £250 which we were able to pass on to charity."

The shows raised £65,000 for charity. Frank has received recognition for his fundraising work, including the Paul Harries Fellow, the highest honour in Rotary, and a commendation from Pembroke Town Council for all the work he has done for the community.

At 84, Frank is amazing and still very much involved with charity fundraising. He still organises the Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra concerts which are held at Folly Farm and he has done this for 13 years. In so, doing £70,000 has been raised for charity!

The

Cast

The two photographs represent many of the cast of the variety shows - many familiar faces. They were taken around the mid-1980s. Dressed in 'Sound of Music' costume are ladies of the Inner Wheel, and the men are all Pembroke Rotarians.

Contact

If you have any stories, photographs or feedback for this column, please contact me, Linda Asman, on 01646 622428, email [email protected]">[email protected] and visit our website http://www.pembrokeandmonkonhistory.org.uk">www.pembrokeandmonkonhistory.org.uk

Next

event

Saturday, February 2 - coffee morning and exhibition at Monkton Priory Church Hall, 10.30 - 1. This time we are being loaned an exhibition by Pembrokeshire Museums Service - the history of early flight in Pembrokeshire, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the first successful flight from Britain to Ireland in 1912.