Irlam,Cadishead,Rixton with Glazebrook old photos
Harry Hopeful. Radio Star, 1937.
Cadishead and Irlam Guardian 1937
'HARRY HOPEFUL'
LAST OF A POPULAR RADIO CHARACTER.
MR. FRANK A. NICHOLS, OF IRLAM.
"Guardian" Special!
Mr. Frank A. Nichols is as versatile behind the counter as an Irlam jeweller and fancy dealer as he is when broadcasting in one of his several characters.
Probably that of "Harry Hopeful," a glassblower, in search of employment, has been one of the most popular and the 11th and final broadcast in the series of sketches, which have extended over a period of two-and-a-half years, was as enjoyable as ever, no doubt, to the many thousands of listeners on Tuesday evening.
To finish with "Harry" was auctioned among the company in the broadcasting house for the "North Regional programme and fetched 6s. 6d. "Much to my astonishment," he told the "Guardian" in a humorous vein, "I thought I should fetch thousands. "He was sold as a "Tommy owt," a term applied in Yorkshire to a man who does anything he is told on a farm.
How "Harry Hopeful" Originated.
"I was called rather hurriedly into the office of the programme director one evening in 1933 and asked if I would read a few pages of script put into my hands. Everything was ready to present a new kind of programme, but there was no one to play the chief part in this new sketch. I consented without reading the script through, written, as it was by D.G. Bridson, with whom I have since travelled hundreds of miles, probably thousands, of northern countryside.
The sketch, or series of sketches, was one of Mr. Bridson's inspirations and I fell for the character of "Harry Hopeful" very readily. I liked the name. No other could have better suited the part, and I determined to put my very best into it. I realised the demands such a character would entail, and I leave it to many, thousands of listeners as to whether I have succeeded or not.
The keynote has always been to give pleasure and amusement to listeners, and I have been much encouraged and very grateful for the innumerable letters of appreciation I have received.END.
Cadishead and Irlam Guardian March 1938.
THE LATE MR. F.A. NICHOLS.
AN APPRECIATION By F.W. BAKEWELL.
Reports in the Press, messages over the radio, and the numerous letters and telegrams received at his residence during the last few days have revealed the quality and quantity of Mr. Nichols' social contacts.
As the mythical "Harry Hopeful" he travelled many thousands of miles in search of people to bring to the microphone. Many unique and interesting people sang or talked into the microphone for the first time on Harry's introduction.
Many hours have I listened as Mr. Nichols related his experiences to me. The secret of his success was a well-balanced personality, which was a true expression of his real self.
Such mental and spiritual maturity bestowed upon him a charm and friendliness which endeared him to people of high and low degree.
He had a great and detailed knowledge of human nature, which together with his particularly mature personality was the true reason of his success as a character actor.
The "Harry Hopeful" role was most certainly his most successful character study. No other reason can be given than this. It was true expression of Frank Nichols' character and his attitude towards life.
GAP.
much of his leisure to amateur dramatics and was instrumental in founding the Irlam and Cadishead Amateur Dramatic Society, which performed very satisfactorily during its short existence three of Gilbert and Sullivan's well-known operas "The Mikado," "Yeoman of the Guard," "Pirates of Penzance," also "Hobson's Choice."
ON THE AIR.
It is more than 12 years since he became associated with the B.B.C., and his numerous sketches on the wireless were very popular. He will be well remembered in the respective characters of Jack Point, Coco and Mr. Hobson, in which he excelled. Among other characters he had filled so well in the children's Hour were Gipsy Robin and Gummidge, a scarecrow come to life again. Adam, the Scottish gamekeeper, Griffith Griffiths, from Wales, and others, but the most popular of all his broadcasts was undoubtedly as Harry Hopeful.
THE MAN AND THE CHARACTER
His travels as a country lad in search of a job occupied two-and-a-half years and his last broadcast in the series was the 11th. In August last he narrated to the "Guardian" how he came to be "Harry Hopeful." It was a case of the man for the character.
The funeral took place at the Parish Church, Irlam, after a service at the Congregational Church, Cadishead. Mr Victor Smythe, outside director of the B.B.C.., Mr R. Coatman, director of the North Regional, Colonel Fortey, director of public relations, and Mr Edward Wilkinson, director of drama at the B.B.C., attended the funeral.
Harry Hopeful. Radio Star, 1937.
Cadishead and Irlam Guardian 1937
'HARRY HOPEFUL'
LAST OF A POPULAR RADIO CHARACTER.
MR. FRANK A. NICHOLS, OF IRLAM.
"Guardian" Special!
Mr. Frank A. Nichols is as versatile behind the counter as an Irlam jeweller and fancy dealer as he is when broadcasting in one of his several characters.
Probably that of "Harry Hopeful," a glassblower, in search of employment, has been one of the most popular and the 11th and final broadcast in the series of sketches, which have extended over a period of two-and-a-half years, was as enjoyable as ever, no doubt, to the many thousands of listeners on Tuesday evening.
To finish with "Harry" was auctioned among the company in the broadcasting house for the "North Regional programme and fetched 6s. 6d. "Much to my astonishment," he told the "Guardian" in a humorous vein, "I thought I should fetch thousands. "He was sold as a "Tommy owt," a term applied in Yorkshire to a man who does anything he is told on a farm.
How "Harry Hopeful" Originated.
"I was called rather hurriedly into the office of the programme director one evening in 1933 and asked if I would read a few pages of script put into my hands. Everything was ready to present a new kind of programme, but there was no one to play the chief part in this new sketch. I consented without reading the script through, written, as it was by D.G. Bridson, with whom I have since travelled hundreds of miles, probably thousands, of northern countryside.
The sketch, or series of sketches, was one of Mr. Bridson's inspirations and I fell for the character of "Harry Hopeful" very readily. I liked the name. No other could have better suited the part, and I determined to put my very best into it. I realised the demands such a character would entail, and I leave it to many, thousands of listeners as to whether I have succeeded or not.
The keynote has always been to give pleasure and amusement to listeners, and I have been much encouraged and very grateful for the innumerable letters of appreciation I have received.END.
Cadishead and Irlam Guardian March 1938.
THE LATE MR. F.A. NICHOLS.
AN APPRECIATION By F.W. BAKEWELL.
Reports in the Press, messages over the radio, and the numerous letters and telegrams received at his residence during the last few days have revealed the quality and quantity of Mr. Nichols' social contacts.
As the mythical "Harry Hopeful" he travelled many thousands of miles in search of people to bring to the microphone. Many unique and interesting people sang or talked into the microphone for the first time on Harry's introduction.
Many hours have I listened as Mr. Nichols related his experiences to me. The secret of his success was a well-balanced personality, which was a true expression of his real self.
Such mental and spiritual maturity bestowed upon him a charm and friendliness which endeared him to people of high and low degree.
He had a great and detailed knowledge of human nature, which together with his particularly mature personality was the true reason of his success as a character actor.
The "Harry Hopeful" role was most certainly his most successful character study. No other reason can be given than this. It was true expression of Frank Nichols' character and his attitude towards life.
GAP.
much of his leisure to amateur dramatics and was instrumental in founding the Irlam and Cadishead Amateur Dramatic Society, which performed very satisfactorily during its short existence three of Gilbert and Sullivan's well-known operas "The Mikado," "Yeoman of the Guard," "Pirates of Penzance," also "Hobson's Choice."
ON THE AIR.
It is more than 12 years since he became associated with the B.B.C., and his numerous sketches on the wireless were very popular. He will be well remembered in the respective characters of Jack Point, Coco and Mr. Hobson, in which he excelled. Among other characters he had filled so well in the children's Hour were Gipsy Robin and Gummidge, a scarecrow come to life again. Adam, the Scottish gamekeeper, Griffith Griffiths, from Wales, and others, but the most popular of all his broadcasts was undoubtedly as Harry Hopeful.
THE MAN AND THE CHARACTER
His travels as a country lad in search of a job occupied two-and-a-half years and his last broadcast in the series was the 11th. In August last he narrated to the "Guardian" how he came to be "Harry Hopeful." It was a case of the man for the character.
The funeral took place at the Parish Church, Irlam, after a service at the Congregational Church, Cadishead. Mr Victor Smythe, outside director of the B.B.C.., Mr R. Coatman, director of the North Regional, Colonel Fortey, director of public relations, and Mr Edward Wilkinson, director of drama at the B.B.C., attended the funeral.