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Previous Next Charles Foster Charles was an outstanding Garrick actor in the 1960s and early 70s, appearing in numerous productions including The Crucible , Much Ado About Nothing , Wait Until Dark , and Say Who You Are . From the 1970s into the 90s, with his unmistakable voice, he became one of the most recognisable faces on Granada Television as an on-screen continuity announcer. He also provided the voice over on shows such as Judge Rinder , Catchphrase and The Krypton Factor , and he had acting roles in Coronation Street , Emmerdale and Crown Court . In 2009, Charles was asked to play Sergeant Wilson in the Garrick's memorable production of Dad's Army alongside Allan Taylor's Captain Mainwaring - the last roles played by both these acting stalwarts on the Garrick stage. Charles is pictured as Sergeant Wilson from that production. Back to In Memoriam page

Previous Next Stella Fogg Everyone loved Stella. An accomplished actress, she became known in her latter years for continuous support as an ASM and prompt. Her sense of humour and delight in the ridiculous are remembered by many. Back to In Memoriam page

Previous Next Ian Appleyard Ian had been a member for over 50 years and spent some of his retirement as a volunteer member of the Front of House Staff. He also took on minor roles on stage in pantomimes and plays in the 1970s. Back to In Memoriam page

Previous Next Barbara Fraser Barbara is best known at the Garrick for her role as Bookkeeper in the 1980s and 90s, when she kept a tight grip on the budgets and expenditure of Department Heads. It was not unusual to receive a late-night phone call asking for an explanation why a particular purchase had been made. Her fun side came out in her regular performances in the Old Time Music Halls in the 1970s and 80s (see photo), and she occasionally took small roles in plays. Barbara also took a full part in social activities and worked in the coffee bar. Back to In Memoriam page

Previous Next Barry Fletcher Barry was a keen volunteer at the Garrick for over 30 years. Until his retirement, he was a Design Engineer at British Nuclear Fuels at Sellafield and he used his knowledge to design many stage sets and be part of Stage Crew. He was also Workshop Manager for a short spell and was heavily involved in the planning for the theatre refurbishment. He was also an extremely talented photographer and produced a superb dual projector slide show entitled 'A Year at the Garrick' which he used to promote the theatre plus raise funds for the STAGE Appeal. Barry is pictured celebrating his 80th birthday in the bar - he was also a regular attendee for 11am coffee because he knew there were always biscuits or cake available. Back to In Memoriam page

Previous Next Verity Fairclough The list of what Verity did for the Garrick is longer than what she didn't do. She was a worker backstage, an ASM, a member of the Front of House team, Chairman of the Executive Committee, a member of the Board of Trustees ... and she even appeared on stage (sometimes seen, sometimes not). Verity was the model society member and, with more like her, who knows what could be achieved ... and all quietly and without fuss. If you cut her in half she would, like Blackpool rock, have Altrincham Garrick written all the way through her. Back to In Memoriam page

Previous Next Allan Taylor Allan, who joined the theatre in the early 1970's, was undoubtedly one of the finest actors to grace the Garrick stage. With his wonderfully commanding voice, he played the lead in many varied types of roles such as Dr. Bryant in Educating Rita (see photo), Captain Mainwaring in Dad's Army, Georges opposite Terry Chandler 's Albin in many productions of La Cage Aux Folles, and Danny in Brassed Off . Offstage, he was a pivotal figure in the running of the theatre, both as Chairman of the Executive Committee and (inevitably, given his background as a bank manager) as Treasurer overseeing the finances of the theatre. Allan was a giant of the Garrick whose overall contribution to its success cannot be underestimated. Back to In Memoriam page

Previous Next Phil Lynch Phil Lynch was a past Chairman of the Society. He and his wife Val joined the Garrick in the early 1980s and Phil took part in a number of plays, as well as helping to run the theatre, until they left to move back to the South of England. Back to In Memoriam page

Previous Next Gerry Turnock Bar Manager from the late 1980s to the 2010s, Gerry's humour was outwardly very dry and wry. Underneath was a genuine warmth and real supportiveness ... especially when City were playing well or he'd been successful on the golf course. Back to In Memoriam page

Previous Next Val Bacon Val Bacon was a regular performer with a number of local dramatic societies, including Urmston Musical Theatre, Sale Nomads, Edge Fold Players, All Saints and Salford Operatic. In her later years she concentrated all her attention to the Garrick, and was an acting member for over a decade from the late 1990s. Val also worked as an ASM, and helped out Front of House. Val's TV credits include Coronation Street , Emmerdale and Linda Green (with Lisa Tarbuck). She also appeared in television advertisements (for example Hotter Shoes and Sheerings Holidays. Back to In Memoriam page

Previous Next Norma Noar Norma served the Garrick in many ways over many years, as a member of the Social Committee, working as an ASM or Prompt, and for a very long time as a highly-valued member of the Play Selection and Casting Committee. In the latter role she was also a tireless administrator - organising all the performance licenses for Garrick productions and ordering the many scripts. Back to In Memoriam page

Previous Next Christine Sammon (née Adams) Christine was a wonderful singer and talented actress. When she joined the Garrick in the early 1990s, she was already well known on the local amateur operatic circuit. Throughout the nineties she took a leading part in many Garrick musicals, before her sad and untimely passing. She was also involved in two highly successful and enjoyable Playathons - The Boyfriend and Irene . These were plays put on with only 48 hours notice, to raise funds for the STAGE Appeal. The secret play was announced at 7.30pm on a Friday night and the entire Garrick family was involved in presenting the full-length production at 7.30pm on the Sunday night with full staging, sound and lighting, costume, musical arrangements and choreography with all books down. The greasy spoon in the bar was kept open throughout the entire weekend. A Playathon was a testing - yet ultimately rewarding - challenge, and Christine was an enthusiastic participant. Back to In Memoriam page