A former Dunstablianis on Who Do You Think You Are? tonight.
How exciting. Who do you think it is?
None other than Una Stubbs, the veteran actress.
She will be featured in the first episode of the new series, at 9pm on BBC One tonight, Wednesday, July 24.
Back in 1956, the Dunstable Borough Gazette, as we were then, ran a picture of 18-year-old Una, whose family home at that time was in Markham Crescent.
She was starting rehearsals for a new musical, Star Maker, starring Jack Hulbert and Cicely Courtneidge.
Una, youngest daughter of Angela and Clarry (short for Clarence) Stubbs, had started her showbiz career two years earlier, as a juvenile dancer in a pantomime at Windsor.
She was soon offered a job as a dancer in the 1954 London Palladium revue, starring Norman Wisdom.
Una has gone on to become a national treasure, with roles including Rita, the cheeky daughter of Alf Garnett in TV’s Till Death Us Do Part, and as snobbish Aunt Sally in TV’s Worzel Gummidge.
Her films include roles in Wonderful Life and Summer Holiday, with her friend Sir Cliff Richard.
The BBC’s blurb for Who Do You Think You Are? says Una never met her paternal grandparents.
In her quest to find out more, Una uncovers a story of illegitimacy and poverty.
The BBC says Una was the face of Rowntree’s Dairy Box in the 1950s.
So she is amazed to discover that her grandfather had worked for the chocolate manufacturer.
When increasing mechanisation put her grandfather out of a job, the family relocated to Welwyn Garden City.
And that’s another coincidence. For Una’s maternal great-grandfather was Sir Ebenezer Howard, founder of the Garden City movement and the creator of Welwyn Garden City.
Fascinating stuff. I wonder if she’ll be talking about Dunstable at any point?
She has said her favourite memories of Dunstable are: “Dunstable Downs, watching the gliders and the wind and long walks on Sundays with my parents.”
Lots of things have changed since those long-ago days – but just like Una, Dunstable Downs still has ‘star’ quality!
Have you read Murder On The Home Front, the memoirs of Molly Lefebure?
Reporter Molly jumped at the chance to become secretary to acclaimed forensic pathologist Dr Keith Simpson during the Second World War.
ITV recently screened a crime drama loosely based on her 1954 book, which piqued my interest.
I’ve just finished the book, which was a great read – and with some local references.
Aside from the murder and mayhem (including a Luton case), she tells of how Dr Simpson had a cottage in Tring.
She was on hand to help as he wrote a textbook in his garden during an August break. Molly could see “Dunstable Beacon” from there, and she told of “jaunts to Whipsnade”.
But all in all, her new career didn’t leave much time to stop and smell the roses...
Love Parks Week starts on Saturday, July 27. With Dunstable’s gorgeous green spaces in Priory Gardens and Grove House Gardens, it’ll be easy to celebrate this special week.
In fact, it will be a walk in the park!