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Author	Message / Information
Jennypeg Researcher	Cecil Berle replied on: 9/1/2005 5:03:14 PM Hi, If you go into the cemetery from Stainsby ave end, and stand facing the chapels, (the memorial in the middle of the road) the non-conformist chapel is on the right, the grave is just on the right, the Hardys, you go through the arch and turn right its near the end of the row. I will have a look and see how many Hardys are buried there. Jenny
Jennypeg Researcher	Cecil Berle replied on: 8/31/2005 1:57:44 PM Hi, Cecil's Berle's gravestone is just outside the non-conformist chapel in Marlpool Cemetery, its a small stone with his sister's name facing the path and Cecil name on the back. Jenny
Jennypeg Researcher	Cecil Berle replied on: 8/22/2005 3:48:13 PM and there's more! 20th FEBRUARY 1925 BENEFIT CONCERT A successful benefit concert was held at Heanor Liberal Club last Friday night for Heanor Town F.C. A capital musical programme was contributed to by Mr. Cecil Berle (entertainer), Mr. C. Woodhouse (violinist), Mr. H. Buxton (soloist), Mr. J. Bowles (----), Mr. E. W. Thorpe occupied the chair. During an interval Councillor Sharman announced that a movement was on foot to make a public testimonial by means of a concert to Mr. Cecil Berle, who had for over 30 years given his services voluntarily at the old folks teas, helped at nearly every concert during the war, and who had given his services freely on behalf of cricket and football clubs and the bands. He appealed for helpers, especially ladies. Mr. Thorpe (chairman) handed over to the football club £4. 3s. 6d. the result of a collection, Mt. T. Durose (chairman), of the club said they never forgot the football club originated from the Liberal Club, and they were pleased the club was willing to help. If all would help in a similar way the club’s finances would be in a better and healthier condition. Mr. Sidney Broughton presided at the piano. Jenny
Jennypeg Researcher	Cecil Berle replied on: 8/19/2005 9:56:16 PM CECIL BERLE TESTIMONIAL JULY 10TH 1925 The testimonial fund organised by a representative committee for services rendered to the town and district by Mr. Cecil Berle, was closed on Wednesday evening with a miscellaneous concert in the Pavilion,Town Ground. The following contributed to an excellent programme; Miss Ida Revel, the famous chorus singer and comedienne; H. Buxton, baritone; Jack Wheatley, tenor; Chas Woodhouse, solo violin; The two Harry’s, duettists; and Cecil Berle, the hero of the evening, who sang by request “The Golden Wedding” Music was provided by the Premier Jazz Band and Mr. Sydney Broughton was accompanist, During an interval Mr. John Holbrook, J.P. who presided, made the presentation to Cecil Berle of a cheque of £51 13s 2d. And remarked no one had done more for Heanor in charitable causes. Mr. Cecil Berle responded, and said he was not aware he had so many friends. He was not done yet. And would continue his services as long as he possibly could. He thanked the Chairman and committee and all who had so generously helped in raising that testimonial, which exceeded all expectations. October 20th 1933 BENEFIT CONCERT AT HEANOR OLDEST COMEDIAN HONOURED. The Town Hall, Heanor, was inadequate to accommodate the large number of admirers of Heanor’s oldest comedian, Cecil Berle, desirous of gaining admission to a concert promoted for his benefit on Wednesday evening. Mr. Percy C. Smith was responsible for the organisation of the event, and had compiled one of the most interesting programmes submitted to an audience for some time past, every item being of an outstanding character. Amongst the artistes was Mr. Berle himself, who opened the entertainment, and received a most affectionate reception by the vast audience, and he was followed with exceptionally fine numbers, including Zach. Godber, the popular local comedian and dancer; the Lovell Mixed Quartette (Ilkeston), Elijah Smith Bass-baritone, Pupils of the Brentwood school of dancing, George and Harry (noted local whistlers), the Loscoe Road Boys Choir, Ken Poynter (violinist). And Frank Sharpe (saxophonist). Mr. Jack Etherton and Mr. Cyril May were the accompanists. Councillor C. Mettam, J.P., chairman of the Heanor Council, presided, and made reference to the splendid services and self-sacrifice, which Mr. Berle had made in the past for deserving cases in the district of his birth. He felt sure the large gathering present that evening spoke volumes for the esteem and respect with which he was held in the town. Jenny
Azzabuv	Cecil Berle replied on: 8/16/2005 10:31:22 PM SssHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Sue. I know. I re-read the article a short time ago. It also mentioned that he once travelled with the "Comic Carnival Co". I was counting on no one reading the back Postings - erby getting away with the misinformed question to Jenny. Don't spread my mistake around, whatever you do. It's painful enough with the wristy slappings AND the keyboard too. It should have known better? DON'T tell Polly's pal............. he.... he just wouldn't understand the pathos involved. Azzabuv.
suzard Researcher	Cecil Berle replied on: 8/16/2005 9:26:13 PM Azza the article on here tells of him entering a competition in Burnley for humorists-and he won the character prize-surely humorist is comedian?
Azzabuv This message was updated on 8/16/2005 5:44:35 PM by Azzabuv	Cecil Berle replied on: 8/16/2005 5:39:00 PM Was Cecil a comedian too, as mentioned on the Langley Mill Forum? on the Langley Mill Co-op Thread. Incredible. See the first page photograph. Azzabuv.
Azzabuv This message was updated on 11/11/2004 11:02:57 PM by Azzabuv	Cecil Berle replied on: 11/11/2004 12:19:11 PM Not being well versed in the plays of Shakespeare myself, could anyone say whether Cecil, in his Shakespearean actor days, would have ever been called on to wear the costume style of the late Elizabethan period in one or more of those plays? Notably, a blue coloured costume. Azzabuv.
Azzabuv This message was updated on 9/18/2004 6:04:35 PM by Azzabuv	Cecil Berle replied on: 9/18/2004 5:29:29 PM Thank you very much, Suegill. Tremendous information. Now i've got to try and follow a SMITH trail again, but try and start from a different perspective. There's something there in the information you've given, but not quite sure what as yet. The first names and the Smith surname are all in the family I.E. Mary Elizabeth Smith - , one of Dinah Hardy's daughters married names (surname) and not forgetting that Dinah was connected to Berle House in some way, having lived there from the mid-1920s-late 30s. Very intriguing. Thanks, Azzabuv.
suegill Researcher	Cecil Berle replied on: 9/18/2004 3:13:24 PM From MI microfiche In grave space D263 In loving memory of a Loving mother ELIZA MARY SMITH Died 15 April 1926 Age 73 Also CECIL BERLE WIGHTMAN Brother of Eliza Died 5th Jan 1937 Age 74
Peter Chamberlain Researcher	Cecil Berle replied on: 9/18/2004 8:20:07 AM If you contact The Officer in charge of Cemetaries at Amber Valley Borough Council you can arrange to see the burial entries for that date and check the plot number
Azzabuv	Cecil Berle replied on: 9/17/2004 6:28:27 PM Does anyone know Cecil's grave number/site and/or his memorial inscription? Azzabuv.
Azzabuv This message was updated on 9/6/2004 7:57:14 PM by Azzabuv	Cecil Berle replied on: 9/6/2004 12:51:35 AM Cecil Berle - 1861 - 1937 Obituary from 'The Observer and Langley Mill Chronicle', Thursday, February 11th 1937. Mr. Thomas Cecil Wightman, better known locally as Cecil Berle, of Derby Road, Heanor, passed away in Heanor Memorial Hospital on Sunday at the age of 76 and by his death, Heanor has lost one of its best known and most popular personalities. Mr. Berle was born on Derby Road, Heanor, in 1861, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wightman, Mr. Berle being a tailor by trade. Cecil received his first education at Smalley School and after a while removed with his parents to Oldham, Lancashire. There he secured employment as a telegraph boy and one of his earliest recollections was of carrying a telegram in connection with the famous Tichborn trial. During the time he was engaged as a telegraph boy, Mr. Berle visited a pantomime and was so taken up with the performance that he renewed his visits until he knew every word of the whole show. Mr. Berle later moved to Manchester to take up a situation at Mr. Watt's warehouse where he stayed for ten years. He joined the Mechanics Dramatic club and played all the halls in the Manchester district. He was complimented by Sir Abel Heywood on his costume character song "Flippity Flop, Young Man" and was the first character humorist engaged by Edward de Jong for his popular concerts at the Free Trade Hall, Manchester. Mr. Berle also appeared at the Old Queen's Theatre, St James's theatre and at the Comedy Theatre for Mrs. Lottie Collins's benefit, after which he fulfilled a three months engagement in the Isle of Man at the Wellington Hall, returning to fulfil engagements at Southport Pier and the Empire, Blackpool. He was subsequently engaged by the Oldham Educational (Co-op) Committee to give his entertainment 'Tears and Smiles', occupying the whole of one Winter season, appearing at Halifax, Leeds and Burnley and singing in the presence of the notorius Jabez Balfour. Entering a competition at Burnley, in which there were 33 humorists, Mr. Berle was successful in winning the character prize. He also won prizes at Leeds, Accrington, Bolton, Preston, Rochdale, Southport, Bradford, Hebden Bridge, Lilleboro' and other places. Mr. Berle also appeared with the famous Ben Brierley (Aboth O'Yate), the Lancashire author at Rochdale Town Hall. Soon afterwards this place was burnt down. Joining Robertson and Holmes's Kentucky Minstrels, forty in number, all went well for a time until eventually the company were left stranded at Bishop Auckland. Returning to Oldham and finding acute distress prevailing in the town, Mr. Berle arranged a charity performance to provide the kiddies with clogs Etc. and in a very few days handed forty guineas to the Chief Constable of Manchester. Mr. Berle also appeared at Stockport, where he was on the same programme as the famous Simms Reeves. He next toured with Charlie Cookson's Comic Carnival Company appearing at Todmorden, Earlstown, Northwich and many other places. Visiting Scotland, he appeared at Stirling with John Paley, the great cornet player, this being followed by Alloa, Falkirk, Selkirk, Edinburgh Etc. Afterwards he went on a Yorkshire tour with the Bros Newman Concert Party. In the cause of Charity. In his travelling days, Mr. Berle generally happened to be on a visit to his home at the time of the Heanor Old Fellowship(?) Trust at which he delighted to give assistance. On the death of his father, he was naturally called nearer to his mother, who was an invalid. Though settling down among his friends, he was called away many times in the cause of charity and was never known to refuse when it was possible for him to help. Promoters of entertainments never appealed to him in vain and though he helped to raise large sums of money over a long period of years for various individual and collective charities, it was not until 1925 that a concert was arranged for his own benefit. This was organised by a publicly chosen committee, the programme arrangements being mainly the work of Mr. Edward Buxton. Eight years later, another benefit was arranged for Mr. Berle by Mr. Percy C. Smith. On both occasions the Town Hall was packed to overflowing, the attendance being a notable tribute to Mr. Berle's popularity and the esteem in which he was held by all sections of the community. The Internment. Preceding the internment at the Marlpool cemetery on Tuesday, a service was conducted at the Heanor Wesley Church, where in his boyhood days Mr. Berle was a scholar in the Sunday School. This was conducted by the Reverend Eric Kenworthy and attended by a large congregation which included representatives of the numerous organisations in which the deceased had been interested - Heanor Town and Trades Association, Heanor Labour Club, Heanor Social Club, Heanor Memorial Hospital and others.
RMMee Moderator This message was updated on 9/6/2004 7:02:00 AM by RMMee	Cecil Berle replied on: 9/4/2004 5:15:01 PM Here's the History Society's picture of Cecil (courtesy of Azzabuv) Interesting looking man!!!! It was taken in 1902, when Cecil was 42 years.
Azzabuv This message was updated on 9/3/2004 11:30:37 AM by Azzabuv	Cecil Berle replied on: 9/3/2004 11:26:49 AM Robert, Peter, - Have just received Cecil's 1902 stage photograph from Brian. Wow, that's some make-up he's wearing. At least, i hope it's make-up. It certainly wasn't the 'Laughing Cavalier' he was playing there. 'Hamlet'? Thankfully, that's a bit more information concerning him. More to come, hopefully. I'm so curious to know if Berle House was actually named by him, or named after him by someone? Azzabuv.

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