BILL Naughton’s name is so well known in Bolton that it seems churlish to even describe him and his connection to the town here.

He was an incredible author, playwright and observationist whose works of prose were written from the heart and from his own experience.

Last week we began the story of Bill’s rise to stardom, from his elopement with soon-to-be wife Nan to the birth of their two children and a council house in Johnson Fold.

Having survived terrible poverty in those early years of marriage, even being forced to pawn a watch to pay for a week’s accommodation, Bill stumbled upon the Mass Observation survey headquarters in Davenport Street.

This survey was conducted in Bolton from 1937 detailing all sorts of things in life such as pubs, schools, children playing and the mills.

It went on until the 1950s.

Bill may well have read an article about this study or perhaps he delivered coal there, however in the 1930s he became a regular visitor to Davenport Street enjoying the company of the students, bohemians and intellectuals.

He volunteered as an observer.

“The earliest of his reports, in August 1938, were on all-in-wrestling about which the Mass Observation workers thought Bill was an authority”, explains Dave Burnham who is involved in the Live from Worktown project, with exhibitions, films and other works to remember Bill Naughton.

Sadly Bill’s involvement with the Mass Observation project would impact heavily on his family life.

“Another report on all-in-wrestling was written by an observer called W whom Bill went with to a Monday night session.

“W was shocked by the violence and the continuous ribald commentary from the audience.

“This W was Gertrud Wagner, Gerti to her friends, an Austrian sociologist who was undertaking a survey of working people’s saving habits with the Mass Observation project. Bill and Gerti were attracted to each other and soon were having an affair,” explains Dave.

Live from Worktown, Bill Naughton’s Bolton project, is celebrating the life and work of Bill, who is perhaps best known for his works Alfie, Spring and Port Wine, and The Family Way. It is 25 years since Bill Naughton died hence the decision to organise the project.

On Friday, November 24, Spring and Port Wine — the Bolton-based film written by Bill Naughton, starring James Mason and directed by Peter Hammond will be introduced by the University of Bolton’s Dr Nicola Shaw and accompanied by an exhibition of Bill Naughton’s Bolton at Bolton Little Theatre in Hanover Street.

Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm screening. Those purchasing a £10 ticket will receive a complimentary copy of ‘Bill Naughton’s Bolton Life’, a new biography by Mr Burnham. Other events can be viewed at www.livefromworktown.org/index.php/naughton-season