Fifty years ago this week, Dukinfield could proudly claim a double connection with a new BBC comedy which would go on to make TV history.

The very first episode of Last of the Summer Wine was shown at 8pm on Thursday, January 4, 1973, beginning with Ronnie Hazlehurst’s gentle theme tune which cut to the opening line spoken by actress Kathy Staff as the formidable Mrs Batty.

“They’re taking his telly again!” she says to a neighbour as two men emerge from the basement next door with Compo (Bill Owen) who is desperately trying to stop them repossessing his TV set.

Kathy could never have imagined where that brief appearance would ultimately take her career. 

Kathy Staff as the formidable Nora Batty

From a minor supporting role, the character became one of the mainstays of the series which continued for more than three decades and became the world’s longest running sitcom. 

Millions loved to see the fearsome Nora Batty, resplendent in her curlers and wrinkled stockings fending off Compo’s amorous advances with her sweeping brush. 

Her status as a comedy icon was confirmed when Terry Wogan told listeners to his BBC Radio 2 breakfast show that he was appointing himself the official secretary of the Nora Batty Fan Club.

From near and far, young and old flocked to Holmfirth to have their picture taken at Nora’s front steps and perhaps catch a glimpse of the cast filming the location scenes for the next series or Christmas special. 

All 295 episodes featured the wistful theme music written by Ronnie Hazlehurst, a prolific arranger and composer for countless TV shows who was born at 169 Lodge Lane, Dukinfield, on March 13, 1928. 

Ronnie attended St John’s CE Primary School and later Hyde Grammar School, leaving when he was 14 to work in the accounts department of a local cotton mill. Even at that early age he was already making part of his living from music, playing the cornet in local big bands.

Kathy (birth name Minnie Higginbottom) was born four months later on July 12, 1928 at 243 Astley Street. A committed Christian and lifelong member of St. Mark’s Church, Dukinfield, she attended St Mark’s School with her sister Constance and went on to Lakes Road Secondary School where she became head girl. 

HISTORY MAKING: The blue plaques in memory of Kathy and Ronnie and above the stained glass window at Dukinfield’s St Mark’s, installed in honour of Kathy

In 1951 she married maths teacher John Staff and had two daughters. As well as her most famous TV roles in Last of the Summer Wine, Crossroads, Coronation Street and Open All Hours, Kathy appeared in several films and theatre productions.

Ronnie and Kathy who died in 2007 and 2008 respectively have both been honoured with a blue plaque in their home town - Ronnie at his birthplace on Lodge Lane and Kathy at St Mark’s Church.

Repeats of Last of the Summer Wine, the series where their paths crossed over so many years continue to be shown on the Drama channel (Freeview, cable and satellite).

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