Barbara Barton (nee COX)
Encouraged by a friend, Elson Barton, who I met in “The Crown Inn” on Church Street, Beeston (where we played darts in the late 1960s), I went to see a dual production of Trial by Jury” by Gilbert and Sullivan (performed by Beeston Operatic Society) and “Red Peppers” by Noel Coward (performed by Beeston and Stapleford Amateur Dramatic Society.)
After the shows, when we met back at “The Crown” I was chatting to Elson, (who had played a leading part in Red Peppers) and he suggested that I come and see if I would like to join the drama group. Feeling rather shy to go on my own, I asked my sister Janet if she would come too and we both went along to the following meeting. We were welcomed with open arms because the group had been newly formed and they were struggling for members. They were particularly keen when they found out that I could make costumes and that Janet was an Artist!
Since I joined in 1970, the Group has performed 103 shows and changed its name to BEESTON PLAYERS and I changed my name to Barbara Barton when I married Elson in 1976 and produced one daughter!
I love acting and directing and have been the Secretary for many years during this time. My husband died in 2004, but I am pictured here with my little Grandson “Elson”.