The cast of Witham Operatic Society’s ‘Rio Rita’, performed 10-14 April 1951.

Back row, left to right. Tom Bradshaw (Assistant Stage Manager, of Collingwood Road), Kathleen Rudkin (later Mrs Adams, sec & later president of W O S), Clive Ireland (then of Chalks Road, later of St Nicholas Road), June Osborne (had equestrian centre, The Paddocks then Wickham Bishops), Jacqueline Loveday (later Mrs Collier, now deceased), Mrs Ann Bradshaw (wife of Tom, above), Olive (Polly) Wheaton (then of Freebornes farm, later of Wickham Bishops), Bernard (Nobby) Clarke (optician, 5a Newland Street), Violet Dudley (sister of Cecil, below, ex WRNS), Ian Hayes (of Chalks Road), Maisie Rowley (nee Dudley, wife of Mr Rowley who had garage in Maldon Road), Mr Basil Worth (of White Horse Lane, worked Crittall’s, Braintree), José Pamplin (nee Davey, of Highfields Road), Eric Noakes (electrical engineer, 5B Newland Street), Lorna Jones, Mr H Russell, Mr Baker Edwards (last two from Hatfield Peverel, fruit farmers).

Next to back row, left to right. Mr Reg Payne (Stage Manager, bank manager at Lloyds bank, 99 Newland Street), Keith Parvin (emigrated to Australia), Ewin Thorogood (of Hatfield Road; tenor in parish church choir), Nat Sherwood (of Prested Hall, Easthorpe, had horses, was President at one stage), Mr Stanley Ingledew (proprietor of White Hart), Mr H L (Nibs) Neal (owned gent’s outfitter’s in Colchester), Mr Bill Short (of The Avenue), Doctor Jack (John) Logan (GP of Tiptree), Helen Wheaton (then of Freebornes farm, later Mrs Lepper of Highfields Road), Kathleen Richards (of Avenue Road, parents founder members of Society), Charlie Matthews (in shadow), Ray Dyke (from Wivenhoe), Maureen Turner (slightly behind level of Ray; later Mrs Walford, daughter of Reg, gent’s outfitter, Newland Street), Mrs Betsy (Bessie) Logan (in front of Maureen, wife of Dr Logan, above), Mrs Betty Rew (wife of Bob Rew, manager of Crittall’s, Witham; moved to Dorset on retirement), Mrs Irene Lloyd (nee Mondy, daughter of Albert Mondy, ironmonger, 63 Newland Street), Elizabeth Evitt (later Mrs Peter Belsham), Nesta Jones, John Walser (Swiss), Mrs Florence Warboys (mother of Mrs Irene Northfield of Witham Dramatic Soc), Mary Farnell.

Next to front row, left to right. Gordon Ager (professional photographer, dark), Mrs Ann (Babs) Booth (wife of Gerald, above; she moved to Norfolk when he died, daughter in Australia), Miss Lucy Croxall (piano accompanist for rehearsals; music mistress et al at Witham Senior School, later Bramston), Cecil Dudley (of Guithavon Road), Mary Pitts (playing Rita, of Rayleigh), Mr Gilbert Sutcliffe (often producer, also wrote for ‘Braintree and Witham Times’), Mr Karl Richardson (president, of Hungary Hall. Principal of Richardson and Preece, corn and seed merchants, of Newland Street, son in law to Lord Braintree, Mr Arthur Davies (Musical Director), Mrs Rosamund Gadsby (Dancing Mistress, ?of Lawn Chase), Mr Gerald Booth (Stage Manager, manager of Midland Bank, 57 Newland Street), Mrs Edith (Edie) Richards (mother of Kath; founder member of Soc), Ken Campion (Cressing Road / Cross Road).

Front row, left to right. Betty Ringer (daughter of police officer, sister of Terry, of The Avenue), Margaret Cullen (later Mrs Heaton), Nyria Lloyd (later Mrs Atkinson, daughter of Irene Lloyd, above), Betty Shelley (later Mrs Scales), Diana Hurrell (of Chalks Road), Betsy Gozzett (of The Avenue), Wendy Woodwards (later Mrs Gaines, of Braintree Road), Margaret Corley (later Mrs Cope, ?of Avenue Road), Barbara Booth (later Mrs Block?, lives in Victoria, Australia. Of Midland Bank), Ruth Hopkins (of Maldon Road).

Original list of names written by Nyria Lloyd (later Mrs Atkinson), further information about the performers obtained from Helen Lepper, Olive Wheaton and Gordon Ager.

Ref	M1816
Photographer	Montague H Peplow, 55 High Street, Witham.
Date taken	April 1951
Source	Atkinson, Nyria. Daughter of Irene Lloyd (nee Mondy), and grand-daughter of Albert and Beatrice Mondy.