JUDY Coates, the secretary of the Canterbury Players was born in December, 1949, the year the dramatic society was formed.

It’s 70 years since the PTA of Davyhulme Primary School presented its first play, Ladies in Retirement at its Canterbury Road home.

It stayed there until 2007 when it moved to Brook Road Methodist Church.

“My mum, June Lucas, devoted her life to them. She acted, was secretary for 50 years and eventually became president.

“I used to earwig her conversations in the kitchen when she was chatting to a leading director, Harold Wilkinson.

“Harold was so dedicated that he continued with a show the night his only son was killed in a motorcycle accident.

“Recently a member discovered a plaque marking his 35 years membership in, of all places, a jumble sale!”

Judy joined in 2005.

Another member, April Johnson, joined at the same time as Judy. Her grandpa was Jimmy Johnson, an acting member who became treasurer and chairman.

The Players marks its 70th season by presenting two plays previously presented.

In May, it will put on Francis Durbridge’s House Guest and, in the autumn, A Letter from the General by Maurice McLoughlin, originally its 32nd play.

For the past five years, in July, it has performed a sit-com at Urmston Sports Centre. This year it will be scenes from Black Adder.

The society possesses lots of old reviews.

In one, written in the 60s, the critic referring to a character: “Her performance was as real as the trickles of condensation on the windows in the slightly over heated hall.”

“We are one, big, happy family,” said Judy.

* For more information see canterburyplayers.net