TWO of the smallest characters ever to take to the stage of her Majesty's Theatre arrived in Barrow 50 years ago.
They were stars of TV Sooty and Sweep - with puppeteer Harry Corbett.
Among those to meet the glove puppet personalities at the Albert Street theatre was Debora Watson, aged five, of Derby Street, Barrow.
The Evening Mail on November 28 in 1966 noted: "The well known teddy bear puppet of television fame, Sooty, and his friend Sweep, arrived in Barrow for a week's stay.
"Harry Corbett and his puppets, loved by thousands of children, can be seen each day this week at Her Majesty's Theatre, Barrow.
"It is Mr Corbett's first visit to Barrow and part of a tour of repertory theatres.
"From Barrow, Mr Corbett, his wife and 21-year-old son David, who acts as stage manager, are moving on to Huddersfield.
"For nine months of the year they live in a modern caravan equipped with all mod cons, including a fridge and television set.
"It was by caravan that they arrived at Barrow."
Mr Corbett told the Evening Mail: "We were going to park on the car park by the theatre but decided on Biggar Village instead."
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