BACK HOME AGAIN (1980 – 1984)

The early 1980s were still busy years for the Booths. They appeared in several TV talk shows. The studio audiences were made up of many of their old fans who were delighted to see their favourites still looking very glamorous indeed. Anne turned 70 in 1980, while Webster was 78. It looked as though they were as much in love then as the day they married in 1938. In late 1981 Webster’s health began to fail. He had to wait until January before he could have surgery done at the Royal Liverpool Hospital on 15 January 1982. He was not looking forward to spending his eightieth birthday in hospital.

At home. 1980.

10 February 1980 – with Jess Yates and his girlfriend, Katie Brooks.

May 1980

3 to 10 May 1980. 35th anniversary of Victory in Europe.

30 June 1980. Report by Gordon Irving in South African newspapers.

This was a popular presentation which Anne and Webster presented around the country. Each took a turn to tell their individual life story and sang a few songs together to round the evening off.

19 September 1980 – Anne and Webster had coached Peter and Jackie while they were appearing in a summer show in Llandudno.

September 1980

29 January 1981 on the Russell Harty show. Webster had just had his 78th birthday a week earlier.

Some of the elderly fans in the studio audience.

6 February 1981 – Report from Gordon Irving in South African newspapers.

8 January 1982. In a letter to me, Webster referred to the article by Gordon Irving.

5 March 1981 – another appearance on Russell Harty’s TV show.

29 May 1981. Royal Variety Performance, Blackpool.

After the performance. Webster can be seen in the far left of the photo. When they were presented to Prince Charles he asked whether they were married!

13 August 1981. The Time of Your Life.

At the twenty-fifth wedding anniversary party for Jean and Maurice Buckley – 1981. I used this photo for the cover of my book, Sweethearts of Song.

Webster at the Buckley’s Silver Anniversary party, North Wales.

September 1981

1982 – review of a reissue of The Gondoliers from 1932.

1983 Border Television

Only a Rose TV interview 1983 Penrhyn Bay and Llandudno.

1983 Only a Rose TV interview

With the Firmanis – Only a Rose TV interview 1983.

Visiting the Buckleys. 1983.

25 June 1984. Obituary. Times

28 June 1984 The Stage.

21 July 1984 – Only a Rose repeated.

Memorial Service. St Paul’s Covent Garden.

30 October 1984 – Memorial Service, St Paul’s -Anne and Evelyn Laye.

30 October 1984 – Memorial Service, St Paul’s -Anne and Evelyn Laye.

Jean Collen 27 May 2019.