Since posting about my trip to Colombia in February my feet have hardly touched the ground: life has never been so busy. Not that I mind, it seems to suit my nature. However, I have had to cut back on some regular commitments to give priority to the OLGBT Group which celebrates its fifteenth anniversary in December.
February
February was when the builders working next door pointed out that the roof over the bay window of my dining room was in a poor state of repair. They showed me aerial photos of missing and broken tiles. When they offered to fix it whilst finishing work on my neighbour’s house, I agreed and now I have a water-tight roof with better insulation. This was also the month of the Celebration event to mark the end of a Creative Lives, Know Your Neighbourhood Project in which OLGBT worked in partnership with three other much bigger charities. Our remit was to organise and run eight singing workshops at Fenton Town Hall led by the inspirational Paul Rogerson, one of the Directors of Re-Stoke. Although it would have been great to have had more participants, each session was fun, and by the end we were proud of our small a Capella repertoire. For the final workshop, we invited members of the Fenton Town Hall choir to join us. In return, they invited us to take part in the switching on of the Fenton Christmas Lights. Wonderful!
March
March began with an extended recorded interview with Chris May from Coventry University. His research focused on the importance of belonging to a community, intergenerational connections, and the sharing of history in the ‘LGBTQ+ community…all subjects close to my heart. Hardly surprising then that the call that was expected to last thirty minutes lasted nearly two hours.
This was the month that I became the guardian of the Kent Baguley collection of LGBT related material. Peter asked if I would be interested, and turned up shortly after I had agreed with six boxes of books, pamphlets, leaflets and other items of historical interest. It took me some time to catalogue the collection, but it’s done and local archives and appropriate national ones have copies.
Tuesday 12 March was my six-monthly HIV checkup at Cobridge Sexual Health Centre. Dr Danni surprised me when she said I wasn’t old. I told her I was 82.
‘Maurice,’ she said. ‘I have patients in their 40s who are old – you are not old’.
I had no wish to argue with such a positive assessment, and filed her comments away at the back of my mind for future use.
The next day saw a reunion of the Bedford Singers for lunch at Keele University. This was a most appropriate setting given the choirs close and long association with the University. I remember the choir making a recording for an LP (vinyl) in the Chapel, and the Ceremony in the same space many years later when May Walley received an honorary degree for her services to music in the region. The meal was fine, the company even better – pity about the sad looking daffodils wilting in jars on each table. Or maybe they made an apposite comment on the company seated around them.
The worst thing to happen in March was getting a parking fine for parking in a ‘no loading’ area. By contrast, the day-trip to London organised by Appetite to visit Queer Britain was one of the best.
A trip to London to visit Queer Britain museum has been on the OLGBT wish list for some time. Appetite made our dreams come true with a well organised coach trip that included food and a Drag tour around King’s Cross visiting places of LGBT interest. A long day…but wonderful and memorable which we shared with younger members of the LGBT+ community including students from Keele University.
April
April showers are to be welcomed – they bring the flowers that bloom in May – but this year, heavy rain and strong winds from storms Kathleen and Pierrick led to serious flooding and lots of travel disruptions. In the north-west, it was the wettest April since records began in 1871.
Death of Geraldo on Tuesday 19 March
Sadly, Geraldo, the oldest member of the OLGBT group died quite suddenly. However, he was 93 years old and was living a full and active life. His funeral at the local Jewish Synagogue and Cemetery was more celebration than sadness. It was wonderful to see so many of his friends – Gerald (his real name) clearly had a positive impact on a lot of people, he will be missed.
The highlight of the month was the Longton Carnival and Pig Walk. Urban Wilderness started a new tradition based on the true story of the 19th century pottery manufacturer John Aynsely. John Aynsley, who was also the Mayor of Longton, persuaded the Duke of Sutherland to donate land for the building of the park. The pig part comes from the landlord of the Trentham hotel donating a pig to Aynsley on condition that he drove it to Longton market himself. My part? I was a pig in the parade escorting the chief pig. Huge fun.
May
Potboiler Theatre invited the OLGBT group to partner with them in their latest project Gay Stoke. Recording the history of the group and its members is at the front of my mind as we approach our 15th Anniversary in December. On Thursday 2 May at the Mitchell Arts Centre, the project got off to a flying start with a brilliant performance by Clare Summerskill of her one woman show Gateway to Heaven based on her book of the same name. The show is based on fifty years of lesbian and gay oral history when for much of that time, homosexuality was a criminal offence. However, Clare had the audience in fits of laughter at some of the hilarious – but true – incidents she related.
It was my responsibility to organise the North Staffs & District Organ Society (NSDOS) visit in May to local organs of interest. The day began with a visit to explore the fine three manual instrument at St Wulstan’s, Wolstanton, expertly rebuilt by Philip Cartwright. A refreshing lunch at the Borough Arms in Newcastle, was followed by a visit to St Mark’s Basford before our final stop the big four manual organ at St Paul’s Newcastle.
Although it can take up a lot of time, NSDOS provides me with a means of developing my organ skills. Its members have become some of my most cherished friends.
The ’Who is Molly Leigh?’ project with B-Arts offered a chance to employ the theatrical side of my character. Over the course of one weekend in the middle of May, an enthusiastic bunch of professional and amateur artists explored the myths and facts around Molly (Margaret) Leigh…the so-called witch of Burslem. We discovered there was far more fiction than fact in many of the tales…often the most unlikely stories were the ones best remembered. It was a most enjoyable weekend…I was in my element as the publican of the inn where all the gossip about Molly Leigh was spread. Composer Francesca and librettist Gareth have gone away to work on the material we produced to compose an ‘opera’. The piece will be performed next year, not at Glyndebourne or Covent Garden…but here at B-Arts in Stoke on Trent.
June
June got off to a good start with an NSDOS trip to North Wales where members had the opportunity to play the fine historical instrument which in 1998 was rebuilt and enlarged with four manuals and a new oak case by Wood of Huddersfield. It was a joy to play this fabulous organ in the magnificent space of St Asaph Cathedral. After a tasty lunch, we headed across to Mold where we had access to a totally different instrument. This two manual organ was installed by Rushworth & Draper of Liverpool in 1972. It is an interesting example of the fashion for Baroque organs. Although it has only 18 stops, it offers a wide range of possibilities. It was good to note that there is a closer link between the church and Theatr Clwyd up the road. To my shame, in all the time I worked at Theatr Clwyd, I never once set foot inside its doors. Pity…it is a beautiful, remarkably well-preserved medieval building.
June turned out to be one of the busiest months of the year – so far. The Etruria Canal Festival took place on the first Saturday and Sunday – I attended both days. On Thursday 6th June, I attended the D-Day commemorations in Hanley Park. After the serious section when the events of that day were recalled, there was time to enjoy the music of the era and dance along with the Sweetheart Singers. Later the same day,
Potboiler Theatre held their second Gay Stoke workshop – photography with Jenny Harper at Fenton Town Hall Café. We took turns dressing up and posing for shots and generally had a fun time. The following week, Kidda Kinsey had us break plates then make jewelry from the shards.
On Friday 7 June, B-Arts hosted the Mexican Women’s Football team…or rather a film about them… So Close to the Clouds, presented by the director of the film Manuel Canibe. The following day I was at Bradwell Lodge, Porthill giving a talk about OLGBT to the monthly meeting of DEAFvibe. This was a fascinating experience – giving a presentation and communicating with deaf people. It went better than I thought. Within the room, there was a really friendly, welcoming feeling. This was made all the more enjoyable by the sight of so many familiar faces from OLGBT and by the presence of Max Austin, the author who spoke to the group in April. I would have loved to have stayed, but I was expected at the New Vic Theatre for a Flash Mob dance rehearsal. I arrived late, but, Joshua, the choreographer from Liverpool was brilliant and easy to follow. By the end of the session, I felt part of a team…we had the rough shape of the piece and all the moves under our belts ready for the final rehearsal before the opening of Stoke Pride on Saturday.
Meanwhile, at B-Arts in Hartshill, an exhibition of the artwork and personal artifacts of OLGBT late member Angie Boote was underway. The timing to coincide with Stoke Pride was intentional…even if it put more pressure on me. Of course, the real work in creating the exhibition was done by Siobhan, Francesca and B-Arts, who succeeded in mounting a fascinating and unusual display that has attracted an abundance of praise. Because of health issues, Angie’s sister was unable to attend the final celebration event, but she expressed her delight that the exhibition of her late sister’s work had been shown and widely appreciated.
Stoke Pride had the worst weather in its history. Fortunately, it didn’t rain on the parade or the Flash Mob dance performances. The acts on the main stage were under cover as was the brass band that was fortunate to be playing on the bandstand, protected from the heavy downpours. The OLGBT gazebos were not so lucky, they aren’t waterproofed…so everything, including ourselves, got wet. No matter, despite the weather, there were large crowds of people and the biggest and most colourful parade to date. Splendid!
After returning from the D-Day commemoration for lunch, it was time to visit Appetite’s latest endeavour in Newcastle – the Giant Wheel Parade with the Autin Dance Theatre Company. I followed the parade to the High Street, then took the opportunity to pop into Appetite’s base in Newcastle next to the Guildhall. Apart from having regular creative activities, they also have an interesting inclusive community library. I spotted a book by Nathaniel Hall. There’s something reassuring when you come across books by people you know. I don’t know Nathaniel well…but we have much in common and we have spoken to each other after a performance of First Time.
Well, it’s almost the end of the month and I’m still busy. Last night I had an urgent request to play for a funeral tomorrow! All went well.
I will finish by drawing your attention to an interview with BBC Radio Stoke with Susan Hanks. It forms part of her programme The Pride of Staffordshire and Cheshire. You need to be quick if you want to hear it…It is available on BBC Sounds for less than 30 days after its first broadcast on Saturday 15 June. Susan only used parts of three extensive interviews for the programme, but intends to produce solo podcasts of each individual interviewed. Something I look forward to hearing.
Maurice Greenham 
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