Wiganers at Work

Bernie you look very smart in that blue suit and pink shirt. It suits you.

Bernard that bloke with you. Whats he got in his hands?

Hmm! Bernard's much taller than I thought :o) :o)

Or the adoring fan is much shorter!

Where you actually on stage Bernard?

If so what play?

My Bernie is a good actor. He will be playing the part of a taller actor.
That fan is probably a little chap.

Daphne darling. I wasnt aware that Peter Bernard was or has appeared at the RST in Stratford. I normally kkep myself well informed via the theatrical media. Are you aware of any such work that Peter Bernard has done?

No

Pru dear, Quentin believes that Peregrine can probably help. As you know he is practically a local to Stratford and does a regular article on the RST.

Another good pic Curly. keep makin the bread lad. Rock on Curly lad.

:o) Elmer must be seven feet tall. I bet he recognizes the suit and shirt as well. :o)

Pru, Daphne. I haven't identified said gentleman but that doesnt mean he hasnt appeared. He isnt mentioned in recent programmes but that doesnt mean he hasnt appeared on stage. Often when actors fail to take stage for one reason or another a substitute is found who doesnt always feature in the titles. Love Pere.

Nice place Stratford. Nip down there occasionally to RST. If Bernards appearing there in the near ...some one let me know ...please! :>)

Photo-shopped, yet again?

Smashin photo.

Latest on Bernard is that he may have landed the part of Winston in a remake of The Dustbinmen.

Well done Bernard!

Wonderful news Bernrad. Congratulations!

Pseudonymous self adulation? :o):o):o)

Careful Frank - you can get arrested for that.

Well done Curly lad keep up the good work.

Whats that you said you were doing Frank.
Is that the same as the bloke in the blue jeans is doing?

No matter to what heights we climb
No matter what our own success;
No matter if we stand sublime
And tower far above the rest;
We cannot pat upon the back
Ourselves, without the splendor pall
Oh, better far the brilliance lack
Than on the shoals of boasting fall.

What a load of balderdash, these two lads have just called in for their wages.
Experienced stage hands, I know the small one.

Thats not Alf Hart from St George's is it. This is your old mate Alf Hall. Nice picture Alf.

I once heard our Frank singing a Leonard Cohen song.

One of us cannot be wrong

I think your jealous of me.

I came across Bernard Dowdall's name on the web. Thought surely that was an old St Mary's name. Being an ex-pat I like bit of nostalgia for the old country and school,,, as you do. So I Googled “Bernard at Wigan World” and could now virtually write his life story. Fascinating chap! As a youngster he worked for "poor kids". Later became famous locally as a "raconteur" and horse racing tipster. Now he's a well known actor. Must admit I haven't seen Bernard in any TV or film productions but then you have a different perspective in Canada. One thing though, surprisingly enough my cousin uses those Ortisan tablets he advocates and says she is forever grateful to him. I am looking forward to receiving a sample of those tablets, kindly sent by my loving cousin. Respect Bernard! Great to see a fellow school chum doing well.

Actuaaly Bernard your Google search didnt reveal all. Bernard Dowdall was a great friend and admirer of the famous Wigan artist Laurence Isherwood and I understand it his ambition to emulate the great man.

Bernard when you asked to borrow my suit I thought it wouldn't fit you.

New pictures from old ceremonies.

Strange, none of the comments mention that the adoring fan is Cliff Higham

It is Cliff you know! Smashin photo Cliff. keep rockin lad.

Bernard Mulqueeny & Woody Guthrie you missed the bits on Bernard's days as an impresario. He ran an entertainment agency and was the concert secretary at the former Beech Hill Labour club. One report also said that he trained race horses in Newbury although I doubt that myself. He should be the next mayor of Wigan.

You cant be serious Blob. You cant just take a man of the street because he has been kind to people and is multi talented and make him mayor. I mayor needs administrative experience and a flair for dealing with the public amongst other skills.

Brian I am going to have to disagree with you. I think Mr Dowdall is precisely the type of person I want to be mayor. The reason is, is that he is a "man of the people". Now I dont know Mr Dowdall but I have read that he is very popular with the public and spent much of his youth doing charity work for under privileged children even though, I understand, he came from humble roots himself.
He doesnt need to do administrative work as mayor. We have paid Council workers and shirkers to do that plus our distinguished councillors (god bless us).
I dont want a local millionaire "dun good" whose secrets are brushed under the carpet by those who hang around such people.
I dont want a former public servant who feathered his own nest from the public purse. How many of our council representatives do anything for us. Do they try to improve law and order - no. Do they try to turn over heaven and hell to benefit the old and under privileged - no. Do they try to reduce our council tax whilst improving services - no. Why do we have them - god only knows. The only time that focus for the good is brought on local government is when the central government do it.
No for me its an unselfish, generous of heart, man of the people every time. For me its Bernard Dowdall.

Hello! Hello! Hello! It has been brought to my attention that a gentleman has been arrested in Mesnes Park for pseudonymous self adulation?
It is my duty to tell you that there is no truth in the rumour that it was Frank Healey. I thank you!

P.C. Dongle. I knew it wasnt Frank Healy. You said that a "gentleman" was arrested.

Saw Cliff Higham near the shops in Gidlow Lane last week. Does he live in Beech Hill now?

I don't know about Cliff but Bernard Dowdall lives in Beech Hill.

The bloke in the blue jeans is Clifford Higham from Windsor Street. He was in my class at St. Georges.

I second Bernard for mayor. He's a good catholic boy.

And no one Seamus my boy can be bad with the name of Higham. Sure the Saints placed us on high.

Bernard Dowdall. I know that the artist Isherwood is a hero of yours so may I draw your attention to the site: http://www.artbyisherwood.co.uk/. I think you will find it very interesting.

Nice picture of Cliff Higham. Didnt think Bernard was grow that tall when I last saw him at Wigan Grammar School. He looks very distinguished especially for his age.

great photo this of my bernie and his wee pal Cliff. I have it on my mantle.