THE CHILDREN

                     

Taken from Neil Brandwood's Whistle Down Wind 60th Anniversary book, I will publish a bit about different cast members and the lives they've lived since the film, every Monday...

'NAN' - Diane Poole
Diane left Clitheroe Grammar School in 1967, going on to study at Accrington College and then a career in banking.
Marrying in 1972, the couple spent the decade owning a pet shop, taking up moor racing and showing basset hounds on the dog show circuit, before taking up show jumping.
She became a mother in 1984, and had two daughters, Charlotte, and then Clare, three years later. Diane and her husband owned and ran a snooker club, then a fishing tackle shop. In 1988 they went into the hospitality business, with a B&B, and then opened a falconry centre. A chance encounter with record producer Peter Waterman resulted in the couple moving to his Cheshire farm and establishing a horse livery yard.Following her divorce in 1999, Diane went back into banking, specialising in agricultural finance, and moved back to Lancashire. Since retiring in 2015, Diane has become an energetic member of the local W.I. and often gives fundraising talks for Marie Curie about her memories of the film.

‘CHARLES’ - Alan Barnes
In November 1962, Alan had a small role in the film The Victors, a sprawling WWII drama with an international cast which included Albert Finney, Jeanne Moreau and Peter Fonda. Richard Attenborough was instrumental in getting Alan the role by recommending him to the film’s producer and director Carl Foreman. Aside from this, like the other Lancashire children who appeared in Whistle Down the Wind, it did not motivate him to pursue an acting career.He and Diane would sometimes be asked to perform such things as opening agricultural shows or making an appearance to promote a local business. In 1963, Alan and his mother appeared on BBC radio’s Down Your Way show.
Alan left school at 15 and became an apprentice joiner and went on to move to the south coast wither friends, where he worked in a Bournemouth boatyard, before buying a campervan to tour Europe. Upon returning to Chatburn, he got a job building vehicles for the Milk Marketing Board, before going on to set up a double-glazing firm with a friend and married in 1980.

‘JACKIE GREENWOOD’ - Roy Holder
Roy was a familiar face on British television, having appeared in many popular programmes of the past sixty years.
Richard Attenborough took an interest in his career and helped him to get an agent, resulting in being cast in another film (Term of Trial) the following year, with Laurence Olivier. With his help, he then joined the National Theatre.
Roy went on to have a colourful and successful career in film and TV, even holidaying with Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor after being cast in ‘The Taming of the Shrew.
Sadly, Roy passed away in 2021 aged 75.



THE 'DISCIPLES'
(by actual name)

Pam Dyson (nee Lonsdale)
Upon leaving Ribblesdale School in Clitheroe, Pam went on to work at the National Westminster Bank. Marrying Stuart in 1974, they wed in the same church in Downham as her parents.

Pam has lived in Sabden, the Ribble Valley village, for nearly 50 years and has three children and two grandchildren. 
They can all recite almost word-perfect, the Whistle Down the Wind script.

Pam went on to work as a wages clerk before retiring more recently. She and Stuart enjoy a good social life, particularly watching bands around the local music scene.

Christine Lord (Ashworth)
Christine was the oldest teenager to be cast in the film, and was happy to be recognised in the street.

Three years after, she married Terry, and devoted her time to bringing up their three sons.

They have lived in Wales, Nottingham and Cambridge, and now live between two homes in Cyprus and Northumberland.

Christine has happy memories of being involved with Whistle Down the Wind and says it helped her to grow with confidence and to embrace life with enthusiasm over the years.



I will add more cast members week-by-week, so please check back!
(Information taken from Neil Brandwood's Whistle Down Wind 60th Anniversary book)