WHEN Valerie Pennett steps onto the stage in a performance of Me and My Girl, she will be celebrating a milestone - her 50th year in amateur operatics.

But amazingly she never used to think she had a good voice and did not start singing lessons until she was in her 20s.

Now an experienced performer, she looks back with fondness on a half century in the theatre, which encompasses a wide variety of roles in countless shows.

Her love for amateur operatics and dramatics has also led to fascinating work as a dresser for the Good Old Days, Opera North and the Northern Ballet.

Her success in her field even led to her being chosen, along with her husband, Barrie, to judge the Eurovision Song Contest.

Surprisingly Valerie, who has spent all her life in Yeadon, does not come from a particularly musical or theatrical family. She credits her late husband with encouraging her to develop her potential.

Her love for dramatics began when she started appearing in plays - with Yeadon Central Methodists at the age of about 13. She did her first musical - Annie Get Your Gun - with Yeadon Amateurs at the age of 17 as a dancer.

It was a further seven years before she began taking on singing roles with encouragement from Barrie.

She explained: "I didn't start taking singing lessons until I was in my 20s because I did not realise I could sing. It was Barrie who got me to go after we sang a duet together at chapel. He was a beautiful singer. He had a good tenor voice and used to win festivals."

But it was Valerie who persuaded her reporter husband to take part in amateur operatics. The couple appeared together in many productions but only played opposite each other once.

Valerie remembered: "It was in the Merry Widow with the Idle and Thackley Society. It was the only time and it was something special."

The Pennetts were married for 39 years until Barrie's death from cancer two years ago and Valerie clearly misses him badly.

She said: "I have found it hard to cope since he died. I think I have been worse this year than I was the first year. People have been very kind and helpful but I still get upset very easily."

Her role as the Duchess in Me and My Girl at Guiseley Theatre will be the most ambitious she has played since her husband's death.

She admits she still gets first night nerves. But as soon as she gets on stage something else kicks in and any doubts are forgotten.

It is this instinctive love of performing that has entralled audiences in productions ranging from Oklahoma to Showboat, from South Pacific to My Fair Lady, from plays to panto.

She said: "I have played principal boy for Yeadon Charities pantomime at least 20 times. I don't think anyone can beat that."

Her favourite role however is Eliza in My Fair Lady.

"For an actress it really is the be all and end all of parts," she said. "It has got everything. It has got comedy and drama. You have got to be able to sing and to use your voice in different ways. There is so much scope there."

Valerie's love of amateur operatics opened the door to fascinating work as a dresser on The Good Old Days where she worked alongside many of the biggest names in show business.

She was first invited to help when her cricketer son, David, who is now 32, was still a small child.

She said: "I got asked to go and help behind the scenes. They needed lots of dressers and somebody in the office there knew me and said I might be able to help."

Work for the Northern Ballet soon followed and she still does occasionally work as a dresser.

In fact she worked as a dresser for the professional showing of "Me and My Girl" at the Grand.

During her years at the Good Old Days she has seen numerous stars including Edward Woodward, Arthur Askey, Charlie Drake, Val Doonican, Les Dawson, Ken Dodd, Des O'Connor, Roy Castle, Max Bygraves and Beryl Reid.

"It was fascinating to watch from the sidelines," she said.

She also fondly remembers her time along with Barrie on a panel of judges for the Eurovision Song Contest more than 30 years ago.

She said: "We were invited to take part by Barney Colehan. He was producer of the Good Old Days and at that time was probably president of the Guiseley Amateur Operatic Society.

"We went down to London and we met Michael Aspel and were wined and dined. It was a different thing altogether to what they do today but it was very interesting."

Valerie lists other highlights as appearing in shows for Leeds Amateur Operatic Society at Leeds Grand Theatre and appearing at Bradford Alhambra.

l The Guiseley Amateur Operatic Society production of Me and My Girl runs from Saturday, February 22, to Saturday, March 2, at Guiseley Theatre. Tickets can be booked at the box office on 01943 875644.