Ushaw Moor Lad and 'Celebrities' in the 70s

While we are waiting for some fresh articles from Deerness Valley people I thought I would relate some encounters with some well known 70s people.

I came across Jimmy Ellis, the very talented actor and poet, in a pub near Chelsea in 1973. You may recall that he was a character in the television programme ‘Z Cars’ I was never one for interrupting people’s private life but did find myself asking him for the time - which he duly gave.

In the same year I met and conversed with Jack de Manio [Military Cross and Bar] in the ‘Water Rat’ pub situated in Chelsea. You may recall that he was a Radio 4 presenter known for giving the wrong time of day to millions of people getting ready for work. He seemed a very loud but charming character and we were always aware of his presence in the pub even if we were some distance from him.

If you are sports minded you will have heard of Jack Hampshire the Yorkshire and England cricketer – In the 70s I found myself ‘washing my hands’ next to him in South Moor Cricket Club. I let him wash his hands without idle chatter from me.

Finally I stumbled across Bruce Forsyth in the ‘Marquis of Granby’ in Hinchley Wood, not that far from London. Having just finished a company training course I was alone in the lounge and at the bar asking for a best bitter – in walked Bruce with another bloke. I heard him say to the other person ‘so you are in show business – tell me about it’. Again I let them get on with it while I enjoyed my pint; I did not own Bruce, even though he was a national treasure. I held the view that his private and business life was a private matter.

I am sure that some of you can do much better than that for celebrity spotting and if that is the case it would be interesting to read about it!

Best wishes Wilf B.