AN Operatic Society's longest standing fan had the tables turned on her when she found herself under the spotlight.

Mrs Alice James, aged 91, has been to almost every show staged by Rosemere Operatic Society in its 75-year-history.

She went to the society's first ever show in 1927 and has been to 92 others since.

And to show their appreciation members of the society, which specialises in staging the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, handed over a certificate and bouquet of flowers as a thank you.

Mrs James has missed only two shows in Rosemere's history, and that was immediately after her husband's death -- quite an achievement for someone not a particular fan of Gilbert and Sullivan to start off with.

Her husband, Mr Percival Allen James, was a founding member of the group.

Mrs James said: "He was born in Bath and worked as a customs and excise officer all over the place. After being stationed in Ireland he was given his choice of where he wanted to go next, and chose Bolton. He had spent some time in the town previously and had got to know a couple called Whitfield who lived in a house called Rosemere overlooking Doffcocker Lodge.

"So he returned, and stayed with them as a paying guest. They were interested in music having been members of Bolton Choral Union. My husband was also musical and very interested in Gilbert and Sullivan shows.

"As a result they started the society between them in 1927.

"My grandfather, who I lived with, used to get tickets and I would go with him to the shows. We went to Rosemere's first show in 1927. I went to almost every one after that. The only two I missed were in the years following my husband's death. I could not face it, but after two years I thought I had to stop being stupid, so went back -- and have been to every one since.

"I was not a particular fan of the music to start with, but it was something that grew on me. Much later when my husband tried to persuade me to join the society, it just did not appeal to me at all. I had no interested in appearing on stage, or working behind the scenes.

"My husband though was musical director and producer. There was no committee and he carried out all those duties when he was living at Rosemere from 1927 to 1943. We got married in 1943, and he then continued at our new home from 1943 to 1975 when he retired. He died one year later."

The shows were initially staged at the Bolton Lads Club, with all proceeds going to the club. In 1943 Rosemere moved to the Parochial Hall in Astley Bridge.

The club continued to stage its shows throughout the Second World War. Mrs James said: "It remained one of the only societies in England to continue -- even D'Oyle Carte Company gave up during the war.

"Many of the men in the society came from the nearby factory, Dobson and Barlow, which was run by Mr Whitfield. It was said that when he interviewed prospective employees, the first question he would ask would be 'can you sing?' much to their amazement.

"We were quite a family in those days. Rehearsals would be at our home, and in the summer members would come over -- the women would do crafts while the men would play croquet on the lawn."

The house called Rosemere may well be long gone, but the society bearing its name is still going strong. Mrs James said: "I have never got bored going each year. I have seen each show umpteen times, but still enjoy them. I know all the words and music."