Nostalgia Thursday APRIL 2 - Use 9 pic 300 word template

Text for Thursday Spread on Cockney accent lessons for pupils

Headline: Lessons from governor as pupils put on best cockney accents for a school play

Strapline: London origins made Olive Townsley the best choice as voice coach to youngsters for a lavish stage production of the My Fair Lady

PUPILS had some authentic help when they were required to put on proper cockney accents for a school theatrical production.

The Mail, on March 11 in 1995, noted: "The world of George Bernard Shaw comes to the stage for Millom School's latest theatrical production, thanks to a little help from the chairwoman of governors.

"Staff and pupils have been brushing up their cockney accents ready for a production of My Fair Lady, based on Shaw's Pygmalion.

"To help improve authenticity, chairwoman of governors Olive Townsley - who is originally from London - has been training the cast in the correct accents.

"The show features both staff and pupils and there are also teachers, pupils and friends of the school in the orchestra.

"A large backstage crew has been working hard to produce a variety of hats for the Ascot races scene."

Teacher Dot Vernon said: "It has been a lot of fun and a lot of hard work."

Professor Higgins was played by Peter Rushton alongside Sally Oldbury, as Eliza Doolittle.

Other cast members included Tony Hartley, Steven Park, Richard Abbott, David Turner and Adam Slack.

The Mail, on November 3 in 1997, noted: "Keen students at Millom School gave up two days of their half-term break to wallow in the mud as they created the second stage of their nature pond.

"Pupils at the school are carrying out a project to transform a site of disused land close to the Harriet Trust Holiday Centre, Borwick Rails, into a nature reserve.

"And they received two large lorry loads of puddling clay from ALCO Waste Management, based in Whitehaven, after the company saw their urgent appeal for material in The Mail."

Teacher and  project leader Val Towndrow said: "Without the puddling clay the whole project was useless and we're very grateful for the donation."

The Mail, on August 26 in 1997, noted: "A temporary gymnasium built at Millom School 60 years ago is finally being demolished.

"And pupils will be returning to the premises for the new term to find the site occupied by a basketball court.

"The old building was erected as a temporary measure when the original classrooms were developed in the 1930s."

Headteacher Les Higgins said: "The old gym won't be missed as it was already a redundant building due to being in poor condition.

"The floor were splintering and the equipment wasn't very good.

"The students will now use the sports hall in Lancashire Road.

"The money that we would have needed to maintain the old gym is used to finance the pupils' use of the leisure centre."