Eric Morecambe (part of Morecambe and Wise)

Atarah · 01-02-2008, 07:32

Risking putting this in the history section.
A friend of mine, who lives in Morecambe, is collecting information together for a talk he is doing on Eric Morecambe, born ERIC BARTHOLOMEW.
We know he had a local connection as a BEVIN BOY but what has come to light is that his parents were married here in Accrington, in 1921, at St John's Church and that they lived on Meadow Street. anyone out there got more info?

Atarah

Bevin Boys

During W.W.2, the shortage of manpower in the mines resulted in the Ministry of Labour and National Service inaugurating a policy of drafting men of military age into the mines.

From July 1943, the draftees for the mines were chosen by ballot and a number of men already serving with the forces were given, and took the option of working in the mines. The ballot consisted of Mr Bevin's secretary each month placing 10 digits into a hat and, for a period of approximately 20 months, two of these numbers were drawn out. All men whose National Service Registration Number ended with that digit were directed into coal mining without exception. Any refusal to comply with the direction would inevitably result in a heavy fine or possible imprisonment under the wartime Emergency Powers Act.

MargaretR · 01-02-2008, 07:58

There are some Bartholomews about in Accy.
When I attended Renee Cosgrove's dancing class in late 40s and early 50s, there were 3 Bartholomews about my age (born early 40s)
There was one boy and his sister, and their girl cousin.
Unfortunately I can only remember the first name of the cousin - Ronalyn.
I recall they all claimed to be closely related to Eric

beechy · 01-02-2008, 16:58

a local businessman in the fifties was married to eric bartholamews sister
jack floydd owned a sack cleaning works around laneside
they lived in heywood rd

Bob Dobson · 01-02-2008, 19:51

There was a Bartholemew family with a daughter called Olive, now in her 70s, in Dowry St, a high, even number., in the 1950s. I think that she may have had a brother called Eric

cashman · 01-02-2008, 22:34

i used to go out with a bartholemew, in early 60s,but she was from Crown St,i think.

Wynonie Harris · 01-02-2008, 23:05

Knew a family of Bartholomews at St Peter's Primary - Anne, Alan and Keith - lived on Crown Street, so probably related to Cashy's old flame.

cashman · 01-02-2008, 23:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wynonie Harris

Knew a family of Bartholomews at St Peter's Primary - Anne, Alan and Keith - lived on Crown Street, so probably related to Cashy's old flame.

thats the one.

the first name,before some smartarse says out.

Wynonie Harris · 01-02-2008, 23:13

Yeah, that figures, she was about 2 or 3 years older than me, attractive girl if I remember rightly.

Tony Ireland · 02-02-2008, 14:09

Was it Dickie pit at altham that Eric morecambe worked at (have I spelled that right)
tony

beechy · 02-02-2008, 15:08

correct on both counts tony

lindsay ormerod · 02-02-2008, 22:57

I knew a Naomi Bartholemew in the 70's, her mum had a big house on the corner next to what used to be a kiddies nursery on Thorneyholme Rd. Remember her mum was quite artistic, may have been a painter.

Trish · 10-02-2008, 22:13

Hi, I know this thread has been inactive for some time (have only just found the site)

Eric Morecambe was indeed known around these parts. His mother Sadie and my maternal grandmother Mary (commonly known as 'May') were first cousins.

My grandma lived in a cottage in Mary St (Clayton-le-Moors) but had to move to Accrington (long before) the motorway was built. St Mary's Gardens is now on that site.

Anyway, when Eric and Ernie were playing in the clubs in the North West/Yorkshire Eric used to visit my grandma who he called 'Auntie May'. This must be a good 40 years ago. My grandma had an old miner's lamp (which I think belonged to my uncle when he first worked in the local mines in the 50's). Eric, having been a Bevin boy (conscripted into working in the mines) wanted to buy this lamp from my gran but she wasn't for letting him have it! As far as I remember my uncle kept it when my grandma died.

Unfortunately I never got to meet the great man, although my parents and auntie did several times. Apparently he called round to visit us one time with my gran but we were out! My Grandma used to get a Christmas card every year (and I think birthday card as well) personally signed by Eric, I remember seeing them on her sideboard - "To Auntie May, love Eric and Joan".
I still have a publicity card signed by him to my parents when they first met him.

One story I do recall about Eric is when my Auntie took my grandma to Hest Bank (near Morecame) to see her cousin Sadie. Eric and Ernie were doing the summer season in Blackpool and Eric was at his mum's (haven't a clue when this was, I was probably about 11 which would make it 1968). As my auntie and gran were leaving Sadie's, Eric was outside pretending to be a chauffeur, opening the door ostentatiously and polishing my Auntie's tiny Fiat car with his hankie!

According to my gran, Eric was as funny off screen as he was on, and said fame did not change him, however, my she felt fame did change Ernie, saying he became a bit pompous (rather like the character portrayed in the series with his "plays what I have wrote"!)

Trish · 10-02-2008, 22:13

Hi, I know this thread has been inactive for some time (have only just found the site)

Eric Morecambe was indeed known around these parts. His mother Sadie and my maternal grandmother Mary (commonly known as 'May') were first cousins.

My grandma lived in a cottage in Mary St (Clayton-le-Moors) but had to move to Accrington (long before) the motorway was built. St Mary's Gardens is now on that site.

Anyway, when Eric and Ernie were playing in the clubs in the North West/Yorkshire Eric used to visit my grandma who he called 'Auntie May'. This must be a good 40 years ago. My grandma had an old miner's lamp (which I think belonged to my uncle when he first worked in the local mines in the 50's). Eric, having been a Bevin boy (conscripted into working in the mines) wanted to buy this lamp from my gran but she wasn't for letting him have it! As far as I remember my uncle kept it when my grandma died.

Unfortunately I never got to meet the great man, although my parents and auntie did several times. Apparently he called round to visit us one time with my gran but we were out! My Grandma used to get a Christmas card every year (and I think birthday card as well) personally signed by Eric, I remember seeing them on her sideboard - "To Auntie May, love Eric and Joan".
I still have a publicity card signed by him to my parents when they first met him.

One story I do recall about Eric is when my Auntie took my grandma to Hest Bank (near Morecame) to see her cousin Sadie. Eric and Ernie were doing the summer season in Blackpool and Eric was at his mum's (haven't a clue when this was, I was probably about 11 which would make it 1968). As my auntie and gran were leaving Sadie's, Eric was outside pretending to be a chauffeur, opening the door ostentatiously and polishing my Auntie's tiny Fiat car with his hankie!

According to my gran, Eric was as funny off screen as he was on, and said fame did not change him, however, my she felt fame did change Ernie, saying he became a bit pompous (rather like the character portrayed in the series with his "plays what I have wrote"!)

Trish · 10-02-2008, 22:24

Oops - Sorry for the double post, not sure first one had worked!
Also - looked to me before I wrote that last entry was in 2007?? Have obviously read the 'joined' dates instead of posting dates - different format to other boards I use.

Just to add - there was a documentary on Eric on TV not too long ago, and they showed a photo of Sadie - not sure on which side of Grandma's family they were related but they she didn't half look a lot like my grandma - so much so it was a bit unnerving. Makes me think about looking into that half of the family tree to see where the relationship arose.

Bonnyboy · 10-02-2008, 23:19

Enjoyed reading your story Trish, thanks for sharing.