Three long-time members of Keighley Amateurs have been honoured for their 180 years' combined service to the theatre.

Keith Marsden, Geoffrey Rundle and Alan Park were each given 60 years' service awards by the National Operatic and Dramatic Association.

Keith and Geoffrey are renowned as the town's 'panto kings' who wrote and starred in hugely-popular pantomimes for several decades.

Alan appeared on stage in his younger days but is now best-known for his behind-the-scenes work with Keighley Amateurs.

The trio, who are all in their 70s, were given diamond bars to their existing long service medals following a performance of The Pirates of Penzance. Keith had produced the show for Keighley Amateurs at the town's Victoria Hall last week.

Keith and Geoffrey began their theatrical career as children and achieved local fame by writing and appearing in pantomimes in Ingrow.

They joined Keighley Amateurs in the late 1940s and went on to perform together as the dame and partner for many years.

Keith has appeared in 37 musicals and 30 pantos with the Amateurs and has produced 32 of them, as well as other shows for societies across the district.

Geoffrey was the Amateurs' chairman for 25 years until 1997 when he became president.

Alan performed in the Ingrow pantos with Keith and Geoffrey during the 1940s before appearing on BBC Radio with Arthur Askey and Billy Cotton. As a teenager he took part in RAF entertainments then produced shows at Keighley's Central Youth Club.

Alan joined Keighley Amateurs in 1955, serving for long periods as secretary as well as making the 'goo' used in the society's panto slapstick scenes. He cut back his activities following a heart attack in 1995 but still serves on the Amateurs' committee.

Local entertainment, page 33

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