It's showtime at Bethel!

That is how far its association with the Westhoughton Congregational Church can be traced back.

The name of the society is drawn from its association with the church, which has always been affectionately known as "The Bethel".

Jim Unsworth, 59, is one of the founder members. He spoke to the BEN about the early days of the society: "In the late 40s and 50s the lads from the Bethel used to have a gang show called 'The Bethel Boys', but sadly the show died out by about 1963 when at that time we got a minister who was a little pious!

"The social life of the church dropped off considerably as a result, so I said to a ew of the members, 'Why don't we re-organise the Bethel Boys?' Unfortunately I couldn't get enough men to take part. "In days past we were talking of around 50 men, but there was no way I could get that sort of number this time round. So myself and another fellow, Colin Crompton, decided to ask the ladies to join in and we would do a gang show kind of thing.

"By that time it was Autumn 1972 and it was then that Colin came up with the name 'The Bethel Crowd'.

"The original group was myself, Colin Crompton, John Purnell and Ronnie Ingram. We hadn't really got a stage so we had to make one. There was an old stage there but it was in a mess and generally run down, so we set about fixing it.

"Then, having rebuilt the stage we had to go out and get players, so we trudged round and saw friends, ex-Betheler's, and anyone else we could get hold of. Of course they all came and rallied round, and in 1973 we did our first show, a revue called "Showtime '73.

"It was a great success, and many more friends then joined us to work behind the scenes as stage manager, prop men, lighting crew and so on and so forth.

"One of these members, Albert Tracy, a very dear friend, said, 'next year, come January, why don't we do a pantomime?'. We did, and it took off from there.

"We did pantomimes, plays, and we even had a junior theatre workshop. That first pantomime took place in the January of 1974. "The premises belong to the church, but the society runs independently and it doesn't matter what race, creed or colour a member is -- all are welcome.

"We make a gift to the church every year of course. The rooms we use on maybe three nights a week and Sunday afternoons are totally free. Heating the building alone can cost up to £50 or £60 a week. We did, however, buy the chairs that now sit in the auditorium, so it all evens out in the end.

"I've had a bit of a rest this year, but next year is my 40th year with the Bethel and I'm hoping to retire from the society then. The other three founder members are still with the society.

"I personally have produced about 27 pantomimes, 14 plays and umpteen reviews in my time and I feel I'm getting over the hill now!

"Producing is very difficult because you have to commit yourself for at least three times a week, and it's very much like being the England manager - you can do nothing right, and until the final night you don't get any thanks! It's very much a thankless task. There are many times when you come home, sink into a chair and think to yourself why am I doing this? I don't really need all this hassle at my time of life!

"Looking back over the years I feel that more people supported the church in the early days. For example the Bethel Crowd ran a choir - not a church choir you understand, and we used to put things on for special occasions. Many more people went to church as well. You see it was a fight for the church, church life and the community. It wasn't just about creating an amateur society for its own ends.

"Around 1980 we started a junior workshop for children but unfortunately it's no longer running. However, the children are still in the pantomimes.

"Others I ought to mention who weren't actually founder members, are Keith Weaver, Albert Tracy and a few others but for who we just wouldn't have got off the ground."

Susan Birchall, producer of this year's pantomime and chairman of the society took up the story of "The Bethel Crowd": "The president of the society is Mrs Hilda Barlow, the secretary is Janette Hampson, and the treasurer is Neville Bumby.

"I joined the society in 1985 -- there were around 20 members then. Since I joined our audiences have grown, the children have grown, and the society itself has grown.

"We are now around 40 strong and our ages range from eight to 60 years.

"Our main productions are drama and pantomimes which we put on at the United Reform Church in Westhoughton. It's a church hall of course, and is used for many other things apart from the society -- the Social Services have just moved in to work with handicapped and disabled people. There is a ladies room where they have prayers -- we use that for dressing rooms.

"Our props and sets are stored upstairs in a room that was formerly used by the Boys Brigade and the Girls Brigade -- they have now disbanded of course, and we have the use of that area.

"The hall seats 200 and has modern lighting and sound systems available. A lot of our lighting equipment is bought second hand, and some is donated. It's now very good and can be controlled from fader panels on stage -- lighting crews no longer have to sit at the lights! "The stage manager is Peter Scholfield and assistant stage manager Ray Dunkley. At the moment we only have three stage crew -- Stephen Horton, Neville Bumby and John Bramwell -- and they have to do everything, build and paint sets, set up and control lighting and handle the sound system. We're desperate for stage crew, chorus people, dressmakers and backstage workers of any kind, and if only people would come along and see what we do I am sure that many more would join the society. For example the St John ambulance attended our performances in their usual capacity as first aiders, and enjoyed it so much that they decided to be in it and now they have joined the society!

"We would particularly like to attract young people into the society, from 16 years old and upward. We have the very young ones, eight and 10-year-olds, and the adults, but we would like more from the 16 to 25 year age group.

"All our funding comes from our shows, and if only we could find more producers we could lay on one more show per year and that really would be the icing on the cake. However, producing is not that easy. We have had people try, fail, and then we have to step in and help them out. Even getting someone to 'shadow' a producer is difficult. You have to be able to handle people firmly but tactfully, and more importantly you have to earn the respect of the cast. If you don't they just won't do what you tell them.

"It's a wonderful job at the end though. I often have tears in my eyes at the finale!

"If there are any experienced producers out there anywhere, please give us a call -- we could use you!

"Widdows Mason Solicitors sponsor us every year for which we are very grateful, and the shops that feature in our programs are very good as well. They support us through their advertisements, and of course we would love to find a few more sponsors able to assist with funding.

"We are very traditional in our outlook and we still do the odd revue with sketches, singing, comedy and all the usual routines. We start off in January every year with a pantomime, and then round about May or June we put on a comedy play. In June of this year we put on a brilliant comedy 'Murder Mystery' by David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin Jnr which was very well received.

"We used to do a young person's production in September of each year, but unfortunately we had great difficulty in finding producers so they had to stop. However, we are trying to bring back the young person's workshops which will hopefully induce more youngsters to join us.

"Socially we have treasure hunts, barbecues and other activities, and we are keen to establish a social committee to assist with the organisation of these activities, although to be honest once the pantomime is finished we immediately start rehearsals for the summer play, so there is only a small break between productions to allow for these activities.

"This years pantomime is "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves" by Leonard H Caddy, and is definitely traditional! "Rehearsals have now started every Friday in the church hall, although nearer the date we will also include Sundays. We have a dress parade to make sure that everybody has got everything in the way of costumes and props, and then a couple of weeks later we have a full dress rehearsal.

"Dresses are made by the wardrobe mistress, Jean Taylor and her helpers Ann Parkinson, Jean Coulton, and Margaret Hurst.

"There are also two choreographers, Dorothy Ward and Sharon Bramwell. Our music librarian is Enid Doxy and the actual music is provided by organist John Hurst and drummer Brian Kell.

"Some of our players have appeared on television. One of the characters in the pantomime, 'Belladora', is played by Mandy Hurst who is also an extra on Coronation Street and has played in Hollyoaks. Ali Barber is played by Danielle Hampson, who is appearing in pantomime at the Albert Hall in Bolton and has also played at the Palace Theatre in Manchester. "'Marcowdozer', the dame in our pantomime, is played by Will Taylor, who is extremely well known in Westhoughton.

"Other players in this year's pantomime are Matthew Kellie, Julie Safo, Tania Woodley, Carolyn Woodley, and finally two robbers played by Barrie Howcroft and Paul Firth. There are about 10 adults and 12 children in the pantomime."

Susan added: "We would like people to give us a chance -- come and see us because we are good and you'll enjoy every moment of it."

Ali Barber and the Forty Thieves will be playing at the United Reform Church, Park Road, Westhoughton, from January 20 to 27, excluding Thursday and Sunday. Tickets are £3 and £3.50 and there are special rates for groups. Anyone who would like to join the society or can help out should telephone Susan Birchall on 01942 819816.