WHEATLEY Secondary School’s policy was to include as many children as possible in its annual shows.

That was certainly the case in 1955, when more than 200 of the 330 pupils on the school roll were involved.

The show, the fourth, began with The Follies of Madame, a musical mime, with Stella Pidwell, Iris Badminton, Margaret Edwards, Susan Cox and Anthony Arber taking the main parts.

After four songs performed by the first and second year choirs, the programme continued with a comedy called Desperado and a play entitled The Boy with a Cart, both with large casts of pupils.

After more choral offerings, the evening ended with French Holiday, a mime act featuring music, song and dance.

Two performances were given for parents and friends.

As usual, the show was devised and produced by Gerard Gould and the music director was Jeffery Babb, teachers whom one former pupil described as the “Rodgers and Hammerstein of Wheatley School”.

Mr Babb, who now lives in Hay-on-Wye, has sent in a copy of the programme for the 1955 show and details of the 1952 and 1956 shows.

The first show in 1952 featured plays, mime and songs, mimes, while the 1956 show began with The Bells, a drama, continued with The Mock Doctor, a comedy, and ended with an Old Time Music Hall, under the chairmanship of Mr Babb.

Any more memories of the Wheatley School shows to share with readers? Write and let me know.