Local Interest & Community

Local Theatre in Westhoughton

Westhoughton is blessed with two drama groups, The Bethel Crowd & The Westhoughton Methodist Amateur Dramatic Society who regularly put on some quite outstanding shows – and right on your doorstep.

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In their latest offering the Westhoughton Methodist Amateur Dramatic Society present "The Man in the Iron Pantomime Mask." There will be fun and thrills with the usual audience participation.

The Man in the Iron Pantomime Mask will be the 31st Pantomime performed by the Westhoughton Methodist Amateur Dramatic Society since our first pantomime in 1981.

Intrigue, rumour and gossip are part of the everyday life at the court of King Louis 9¾ of France. The latest rumour concerns the identity of the mysterious prisoner in the Bastille, the famous prison in the middle of Paris. Who is he and why has he been forced to wear an iron pantomime mask? Could he even be the evil identical twin brother of King Louis 9¾ or perhaps King Louis 9¾ himself?

There is only one thing for Queen Anne to do. She must send for D’Artagnan and Porthos, two of the world famous Musketeers, to solve the mystery. However, they have taken early retirement and will need to be convinced of the importance of taking on another impossible mission instead of enjoying the pleasures of being men of leisure. Especially since they will have to get inside the fearsome Bastille, probably via the notorious Paris sewers, the home of the deadly poisonous green sewer viper.

The mission will also bring them into contact with their old enemy Cardinal Richelieu and his evil associate Milady de Winter. Cardinal Richelieu’s latest cunning and wicked plan concerning the Olympic Games could well involve the mysterious prisoner, although it’s by no means clear why or how. Cardinal Richelieu’s lucky colour is red.

Meanwhile King Louis 9¾ is planning another masked ball, although he can’t make his mind up on the details. Everyone will be wearing a mask and everyone who wears a mask has been invited. Will the mysterious prisoner put in an appearance? Why are the Matron and her Assistant so keen to make sure D’Artagnan and Porthos stay at the Retirement Home? Who is Rosemonde and why does she want to become a Musketeer? What is Michelle of the Resistance trying to resist? What is it about men and football?

D’Artagnan and Porthos will be on a mission to find out the answers to these questions and more. They will need all the courage, boldness and gallantry of Musketeers to succeed as well as their famous motto: "All for One and One for All."

The Man in the Iron Pantomime Mask is very loosely based on the novel by Alexander Dumas which was itself based on a true story. Neither of these explain why the Man wore a Pantomime Mask. But now the truth, or at least a very good rumour, can be told.

The Man in the Iron Pantomime Mask is a fast moving, swash-buckling story containing scenes of mild peril and intrigue involving secret passages, swordfighting, hair restorer, gourmet sports cuisine, fiendish instruments of torture and traditional pantomime jokes. No snakes, penguins or parrots have been harmed as part of this production which is in Realistic 3D.

Script written and directed by Bill Greenhalgh

Suitable for all ages the February performance dates are Friday 10th / Saturday 11th, and Friday 17th / Saturday 18th at the Westhoughton Methodist Church Hall on Wigan Road. Curtain Up is 7.15pm prompt.

Tickets are £4.50 for Adults, and £4.00 for OAPs and Concessions (including refreshments and a programme), and are available from the Church Hall from 10:00am to Noon on Saturday mornings or can be booked by calling Bill Greenhalgh on 01942 8125435 or email wmads [@] f2s.com.

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Westhoughton With Chew Moor Area Forum

In a time of some uncertainty, the valuable conduit of communication between Bolton Council, service providers, Councillors and local residents is back for a new round on a Tuesday evening, 24th January at The carnegie Hall, Westhougthon (Town Hall, access via the library entrance).

The meetings take the form of a drop-in session with agencies such as Police, Housing, Planning… followed by the main meeting which has themed presentations and questions; budget spending updates, etc. To end the evening, there is an open forum where general questions can be asked (questions may be submitted in advance). The meeting though relaxed is conducted in a formal manner chaired by a Councillor. The forum usually lasts around 90 minutes.

The last meeting took place Tuesday, 24 January 2012 at the Carnegie Hall featuring presentations and updates on the improvements made to the 'award winning' Westhoughton Market, as well as a look at Recycling. Further information from the Area Working Team - Val Cloynes, Area Co-ordinator (07780 957080 / val.cloynes [@] bolton.gov.uk) or Dawn Hampton, Area Co-ordinator (01204 331039 / areaworking [@] bolton.gov.uk). Info (Council website).

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Howfenfest 2011 (Family & Community Session) Photos