Ralf Little and Kate O'Flynn return for Summerseat Players 50th anniversary celebrations

More than 130 guests turned up to the event at The Bolholt Hotel on May 25 to celebrate the amateur theatre group turning 50.

Two former Summerseat Players youth group members, who have gone on to find success as professional actors, even returned to join in the celebrations.

Former Royle Family star Ralf Little gave a speech to guests about his memories of the society, and was then joined by the Players' head patron, Bury-born actress Kate O'Flynn, for a ceremonial cake cutting.

Guests at the event were treated to a three-course meal, which was accompanied by live music from the Munch Manship Band as well singer Giles Miller.

TV and radio presenter Martin Henfield provided his skills as MC for the evening.

Gold pins commemorating 50 years of service to the group were presented to two of the group's founding members, Geoff and Kay Sword.

Starting in 1968, the Summerseat Players began with no money, no equipment and no permanent home, but they had the ambition and drive to know what they wanted to achieve.

Founding members Geoff and Kay, as well as Geoff and Paula Higginbotham and Jack Whitmore, decided they wanted to have their own standalone theatre.

The Players signed a lease to begin rehearsing at St Wilfred's Mission Church and Hall on Waterside Road with a first refusal if the premises ever came up for sale. This is where the players performed their first ever production, Celebration, in November 1968.

In 1972, the Summerseat Players purchased St Wilfred's. The group converted the church into a comfortable theatre seating 146, hosting five or six productions a year.

In 1990, the group bought the Buskers Showbar and Snooker Hall in Ramsbottom, formerly known as the Royal Cinema and the Theatre Royal, where the group still perform, was created..

The theatre group continue to put on five or six productions per year, and are renowned as one of the best attended amateur theatres in the country.