Tuesday, 23 July 2024

Photographic History of Eton Wick and Eton - Community Organisations and Social Life - The Shoestrings

The 'Shoestrings' The Eton Wick Variety Group were reformed in 1962 as the 'Shoestrings' to raise funds for the Village Hall extension. They staged variety shows annually until 1971, some of them skits on contemporary T.V. shows, including 'That Was the Wick That Was’, 'Christmas Crackers' (1964), 'Licence to Laugh' (1965), 'Through the Rainbow' (in 19n-with ex Victoria Palace Black and White Minstrels Penny Rigden and Alan Hollidge 'Summer Interlude' (1967), 'It's here' (1970) and finally 'Starella Fantasy' in 1971. 

The group performed in many venues. Comedy sketches were written by Albert Bond, Sid Eyre and Sid Gomm. 


In this picture from 'Through the Rainbow' in 1966 are, back row, left to right: Kay Thompson, Sandra Ling, Rene Thompson, Sandra Wells, Jacquie Tickle (daughter of Francis in the photo of the Eton Wick Unity Players), and Caryl Cullum. In the middle are Jane Harper and Gail Groves. In the front: Susan Bond, Leslie Chadd, Jillian Bowyer and Denise Fogarty. 

This article was first published in A Pictorial History of Eton Wick & Eton.



1 comment:

  1. Gail Mason (nee Groves)23 July 2024 at 22:37

    Loved my time in the shoestrings. We dancers were called the Tinies. I was also in the Starella Fantasy. good times

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