EPISODE 2349; 5 OCTOBER 1983; New Staff Uniforms at the Rovers!

Rovers Return Landlady Annie Walker is far from impressed by the new staff uniforms sent by Newton and Ridley...to which Betty Turpin agrees that they look like ''Sprayed on T-Shirts''; but Bet Lynch thinks they will attract more male custom in the bar!!! Meanwhile, Marion Willis worries that she is now pregnant before her marriage to long-time fiancee Eddie Yeats. Gail is furious with a time-waster who comes to view the family home, which is now on the market. WS.

EPISODE 1454; 23 DECEMBER 1974; Eddie Yeats arrives in Weatherfield.

Minnie Caldwell gets two lodgers at No 5 for the festive season; firstly, Ena Sharples..who is on a visit from Lytham St. Annes..and supposedly Sunny Jim/ Jed Stone: who is on leave from prison! Unfortunately, Eddie Yeats arrives on Minnie's doorstep....claiming Jed has sent him along instead! Meanwhile, Annie is annoyed that Blanche Hunt is cooking Christmas Dinner for Dierdre and fiancee Billy..instead of her! Betty Turpin secretly worries that Granny Hopkins will reveal the true identity of Gordon Clegg's mother to everyone; until her sister Maggie steps in with a few words of wisdom. Hilda is hurt that Stan sold her Christmas Tree to Eddie for £2...whilst Eddie also buys a large stock of candles from the Corner Shop; in order to make a profit on them. WS.

EPISODE 1502; 18 JUNE 1975; Betty thinks she's seen a ghost!!!!

Betty Turpin thinks she's seen the ghost of Martha Longhurst in this particular episode. This is soon confirmed when she tells Ena Sharples and Minnie Caldwell the details of what she heard and saw in the Snug!! Ena reminds everyone that it is eleven years since the passing of dear Martha. Meanwhile, Ernest Bishop goes on local radio; complaining about the dramatic increase of local rates. WS.

We all loved Minnie Caldwell..!

When the late actress Margot Bryant died at the grand old age of 90 in January 1988..Granada Television paid tribute to her wonderful character Minnie Caldwell; for whom she played beautifully for 992 episodes between Dec 1960 and April 1976; by broadcating a 30-minute special entitled; MINNIE CALDWELL REMEMBERED on 4 February 1988. Hosted by actor Kenneth Cope; who played the character of Sunny Jim/Jed Stone..the programme also featured tributes from co-stars Doris Speed M.B.E, Eileen Derbyshire and corrie creator Tony Warren, WS.

EP 2933; 8 MAY1989;Betty warns Alec not to challenge wife Bet!!

This particular episode sees lovely Betty in full flight; giving Alec Gilroy a warning not to challenge wife Bet, as their marraige hits the rocks!Meanwhile, Mavis tells husband Derek that she knows that he as lost his job!Vera fusses over Curly..has he becomes the Duckworth's lodger...and gives Alf Roberts a piece of her mind, for throwing Curly out of the Corner Shop Flat..for oweing back rent!;WS.

EPISODE 1955;Boxing Day 1979!

Here is the first of my focus points on particular back episodes of Coronation Street;

Albert Tatlock bemoans the fact that he is alone at No1 for Christmas;until Ena Sharples informs shopkeeper Renee Roberts..that she COOKED his dinner for him on Christmas Day!Elsewhere Elsie is back home at No11..after yet another particular parting from a certain gentleman in her life; namely taxi-driver Ron Mather.Meanwhile, Gail's flighty mum Audrey is back in Weatherfield for the festive season; and soon puts a sparkle in to the eyes of Len, Alf and Fred;WS.

GOSSIP IN THE SNUG; Commemorative Plate from 1995.

Here is the first in many rare items from my Coronation Street collection; GOSSIP IN THE SNUG!!; a 35th Anniversary plate commissioned in 1995; showing Ena, Minnie, Martha, Annie and Jack!;WS.

ENA; My all-time Favourite!!!

During her 20-year reign and 1150 appearances has Ena Sharples; the late Violet Carson O.B.E, was always my favourite character!Infact when she fell ill in early1980, i personally waited three and a half years..IN HOPE OF HER RETURN!!alas this never happened.Miss Carson died in her Blackpool home on Boxing Day 1983 aged 85 years.I still have all the newspaper coverage, articles and items from this time; plus letters, rare photographs and an actual HAIRNET and signed letter sent out to a fan by Violet herself in 1972; which i was very fortunate to win at a charity media auction in 2009.;WS.

DORIS SPEED RETURNS FOR THE ITV TELETHON 1988 CHARITY EVENT!!

Monday 30th May 1988..saw the return of Miss Doris Speed M.B.E to the cobblestones of Coronation Street.The 89- year old actress was taking part in the ITV Telethon 88 Charity Gala..and was coaxed out of retirement; to make a welcome return to her once beloved residence; The Rovers Return!!

Note;Viewing the footage today, she looks remarkable for her age..very witty, aloof at times..but every inch the Annie Walker we all knew and loved for 23 years: 1960-1983;WS.

GOD BLESS OUR ADORABLE BETTY!!

Saturday 15th October 2011..was a sad day for everyone associated with Granada/ITV Studios and Coronation Street; as one of it's longest serving cast members Betty Driver died in Alexandra Hospital, Cheshire..at the grand age of 91 years.Being a life-long fan..and former employee at Granada; i enjoyed my time working on the Coronation Street tours in Manchester and at the World of Coronation Street exhibit in Blackpool..and was fortunate enough to meet adorable Betty several times.THIS IS MY BLOG to my favourite soap; inc; rare items from my own 35 year collection of Coronation Street memorabilia..and that special focus on CLASSIC moments from the 51- years old institution!!!!!