In the Picture:
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Picture Page A:
Pages 15 to 20
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Picture Page B:
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Picture Page C:
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Picture Page D:
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Page 105 only:
Pages 106 to 111:
"Personalities" (A)
"Personalities" (B):
"For Your Added Interest":
"Some Stories of the Cinema"
"Supplement Page // Alpha:
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'The Carpenter Quads':
 | Bernie with that exclusive insight to the past!
‘Carry on Showing’ ------ Supplement Page//Alpha.
“The Carpenter Quads”
BID TO GIVE QUADS FILM TO FAMILY:
HEANOR man, Bernard Goodwin, is anxious to trace the Carpenter quads born in Heanor 60 years ago, so that a copy of a film recording the first months of their lives can be handed over to the family.
The birth of Michael, Maureen, Madeleine and MacDonald Carpenter to their 24-year-old mum Nora, caused a sensation in wartime Britain on February 28, 1944. They were delivered at Nora's parents' Derby Road home by local midwife Nurse Bryan. Sadly MacDonald the last to be born died at two weeks, and Nora became so ill she was taken to the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary. Meanwhile the surviving three were cared for at Heanor Maternity Home, under the direction of Dr Phillip Turton, who filmed their progress.
Mr. Goodwin who was four at the time, said: "The event raised interest throughout the country. The Empire Cinema in Red Lion Square gave them christening robes, and savings certificates, and even free tickets for life, and Heanor postmen carried extra large postbags to cope with the increase in mail from all over the country”. The babies had blue eyes and blonde hair just like their father - US staff sergeant William Thompson, an American GI, stationed in Cheltenham who visited and stayed at weekends. He was demobbed in 1945 and returned to Pittsburgh. In 1946 Nora flew over to join him as a GI bride, taking the babies with her.
Mr. Goodwin, a former manager at Heanor's Empire Cinema, continued: "Having just been given the all-clear for cancer, I thought it was now time for reflection. It would be a tragedy if this film was ever destroyed, as it is possibly the only surviving record of the event. It would give me great pleasure to present the quads with a copy of this wonderful film photographed in the hospital and maternity home.
There must also be some worthy film archive or records office that would take this into their collection, which I would gladly donate to preserve for future generations to enjoy." Nora is believed to be still living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with Madeleine, while Michael lives in California and Maureen spent a few years in a convent before her marriage. Nora's husband William died some years ago. It's thought that some relatives who still live in the Heanor area will know of the whereabouts of the quads. If so, we would like to hear from them. Use the E.Mail form for your contact..
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"A Final Goodbye"
 | Alistair Taylor
'The Beatles - Mr. Fixit':
I have always admired people who, despite mixing with the famous, have appeared to the public as just being ordinary. One such person was Alistair Taylor, who came from Darley Dale, a little village midway between Matlock and Bakewell, in Derbyshire. He lived there for some 30 years, and I had a chance meeting with him in the late 1970s; when the Star Group were refurbishing and twinning the ‘Ritz’ Cinema at Matlock.
Alistair was once associated with the famous ‘pop’ group called ‘The Beatles’, who for those who don’t know were John Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and Paul McCartney. In the early stages of their career he loaned them money, and bought them cars. As they became more famous he arranged air-plane flights for them to different ‘gigs’; eventually becoming famous himself as ‘The Beatles Mr. Fixit’. George Gunby, a writer, wrote an official biography on the man called “Hello – Goodbye – The Story of Mr. Fixit”, and recalled he was a very nice man, who loved the countryside, the pace of life, and also the people where he lived.
Alistair Taylor contributed in a small way to a ‘Beatles’ smash hit. He was sitting with Paul McCartney, who was trying to think of a title for a song he had just written. Paul asked Alistair to say opposites to certain words he called out; and after a while “Hello – Goodbye” was chosen! When Alistair Taylor died, John Lennon’s wife, Yoko Ono, sent a beautiful bouquet of lilies in his memory, insisting they must be pure white. He has been associated with many famous stars of the past including ‘The Cream’, ‘Gerry and the Pacemakers’, ‘The Moody Blues’, ‘The Four Tops’, ’James Taylor’, ‘Sammy Davis Jnr’, ‘Billy J Kramer and The Dakotas’, and Cilla Black.
There was a time when Welsh singer Mary Hopkin lived with Alistair and his wife Lesley in London. While working for Dick James Music, his first job was to launch singer Elton John. ‘Mr. Fixit’ helped to create the cult of ‘Beatlemania’, and once turned down an offer of a 2 ½ % interest in ‘The Beatles’, which it was estimated could have made him £150 million pounds.
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About Alistair:
Alistair Taylor was Personal Assistant to Brian Epstein from 1960 till Epstein's death in 1967. He then became General Manager of Apple - and continued working for the Beatles until he (along with 16 other Apple staff members) was made redundant by Allen Klein in 1969. He accompanied Brian Epstein the very first time that Brian saw the Beatles at the Cavern on 9th November 1961. And he was there as the band disintegrated in 1969. He saw it all… He was an integral part of it all…
He was a loyal and wonderful companion and tireless worker for the Beatles. Their nickname for him was "Mr. Fix-It." Whatever the Beatles needed or wanted individually or collectively - he arranged. With superb professionalism - and utter discretion. In the years after the Beatles he wrote several books, gave countless media interviews and spoke at numerous Beatles fan conventions. He never said even one ill word of his employers. He only ever celebrated their music, life and spirit.
He was as generous speaking to individual fans in convention corridors as he was speaking to thousands from a big stage. His heart was huge and his love for Brian Epstein, the Beatles and their fans was endless.
He died peacefully in his sleep after a short bronchial illness. Mercifully he suffered no pain. His planned activity for the day had been to videotape a reminiscence of Brian Epstein to be shown at an upcoming tribute to the Beatles' manager in San Francisco. Typical of Alistair - he was always giving to others. His entire life was about giving. And most of all in recent years - he gave to the fans.
He is survived by Lesley - his wife of 45 years. They had no children.
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