From Bolton mills to the London Palladium

And the same could be said about two other local men, Ted McLaren and Johnny Parr.

But let's start at the beginning. Bert, who then lived in Waterloo Street and worked at Barlow & Jones' Prospect Mill, and Teddy, who was at Denvale Mill, were members of the gymnastic team at Bolton Lads' Club, trained by Teddy Aspinall. However, when he was 16, Bert joined a health and strength club over the Saxone shoe shop in Bradshawgate and met another mill worker, Dick Cutler, who taught him hand balancing. Before long, Bert, Dick and Teddy, who was from Croasdale Street (off Waterloo Street) had formed a balancing act, performing and delighting audiences in venues in and around Bolton.

In 1932, they were spotted by Johnny Parr, a gymnast from Darwen, who had been part of a trio balancing act, but whose partners had left him. Because Bert and Teddy were young and single, he asked if they would join him and turn professional. Dick was older, and a family man, so he stayed at home. And so the Omego Trio was born.

No doubt there were a number of other similar balancing acts about, but what made the Omega Trio different is that they covered themselves in a silver solution, and were described as "Equilibrists -- Symphony in Silver" (incidentally, my dictionary described equilibrist as "one who practises balancing in unnatural positions, and hazardous movements").

Anyone alive before about the 1950s will be well aware of the variety theatre in every town, two houses nightly, when a number of acts were brought together on the bill -- perhaps a well known singer, a comedian, an impressionist, and novelty acts such as jugglers, and balancing acts (perhaps 10 or 12 acts altogether). They were great fun, and my grandfather used to bring me regularly to the Grand in Bolton . . . no, no, don't get me going on that again!

Bert Yates is the only remaining member of the Trio, now living in Cromer Avenue, Tonge Moor; he tells me that, as in the great days of variety, they went from theatre to theatre, town to town -- a different venue every week. It really was a time of living out of a suitcase.

The Trio were also going from strength to strength (do you get that, a balancing act going from strength . . . oh, please yourselves!) They were so skilful at balancing -- Johhny was always at the bottom, with Bert and Teddy taking either of the other two positions -- that in 1937 they were booked to appear at the London Palladium with the Crazy Gang. It was in a show called London Rhapsody, where as well as doing their own act, they also helped in other acts and sketches. The show broke all theatre records with a 10 months run playing to full houses.

During that run, though, came the dream of all performers -- the Omega Trio took part in the Royal Command Performance before King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and other members of the Royal family. The King and Queen were back there a few weeks later to see the Trio at a special show for about 3,000 ex-servicemen from the First World War. Not many performers can have appeared before the King and Queen twice in such a short time.

After London Rhapsody closed, the Trio did more work in London, before another triumph, the full 1939 season at the Tower Circus, Blackpool, where they appeared in the centre of the famous finale water scene ("Modern Apollos, surrounded by a Bevy of Charm", read the programme). More general theatre work followed.

The Health and Strength Magazine also had a series of articles and photographs by and of the three men showing their skills and how they did the gymnastics.

However, as in so many millions of lives, the war played a major part. In 1941 Bert was called up and eventually became an Army physical training instructor (Sergeant) at various units in this country (while in Matlock, in 1943, he married Olwyn, and after the war they both came back to Bolton). Johnny joined the RAF, but Teddy did not serve in the Services.

After the war ended, the Trio re-formed; however, after about eight months back on the variety circuit, part-way through a balancing act, Bert suffered a slipped disc and could not carry on. He needed a lot of treatment, and The Omega Trio was disbanded; Bert spent the rest of his working trade in the building industry. Teddy died a few years later, and Johnny a few years ago.

It was not the end of gymnastics for Bert, however. In 1949 he went to Sweden as part of the British team in the World Gymnastic Festival "The Lingiad" -- two weeks of demonstrations, not competition.

He then took evening classes in general exercises, unarmed combat and gymnastics at various schools in the Bolton area, such as Castle Hill, Harper Green, and Bolton Recreation Club, for a few years, but gave it all up to spend more time with his family.

Bert is now a sprightly 88, and for many years has played in the B bowling team at Tonge Park. He is understandably proud of the trophies he has won at his hobby, but obviously even more proud of the cuttings and photographs he has from his early career.

How can he fail to have wonderful memories of appearing with such stars as Gracie Fields, Stanley Holloway, Ted Heath and his Orchestra among many others. Funnily enough, the act never did come to Bolton, but obviously we were the poorer for missing it.

"High spot of the whole revue", said one paper. Another wrote: "A tasteful, act, three men who, covered entirely in silver, present a number of poses of elegance. The Trio has come direct from the London Palladium, so it will be realised that they are at the top of the tree with this presentation." It would also have been unusual for such an act to be top of the bill, but that's what happened to the Omega Trio at the Queen's Theatre, Dublin.

But what about all that silver solution they had to put on their bodies every night. Was it not difficult? "No," said Bert, the former equilibrist. "We put it on with a sponge, and it came off easily afterwards with water. On balance, it was no problem . . ."