IT was sad to see that playwright Bill Naughton’s widow Erna has died at the age of 85.
She had a special place in her heart for Bolton, returned here on visits from her home in the Isle of Man and retained an interest in what was happening in her famous husband’s hometown.
We met a couple of times when she visited and she kept in touch via chatty letters. She was always especially in the Octagon, of which she was a loyal supporter.
Bill Naughton, who wrote “Alfie” and “Spring and Port Wine” among his famous works, was born in Ireland but spent most of his childhood and early manhood in Bolton. Erna helped the town to celebrate her husband’s centenary in 2010, donating boxes of his material to the museum. She didn’t want him to be forgotten.
Erna was a lovely, warm lady with a genuine interest in life here. Hopefully, Bolton can remember them both with affection.
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