It is now some fifty years since the film Rock Around the Clock took Widnes by storm first being shown at the Plaza Cinema.

Showman and local Cinema Manager Harold Cookson, well know to all, at the Saturday morning matinee as Uncle Harold, had taken the very brave decision to show this very controversial film.

Enterprisingly enough the Cinema also took the opportunity to put up admission prices to a shilling their excuse was to keep the "Riff Raff" out!

Cinema goers really enjoyed themselves during the film by dancing in the aisles to Bill Haley and his Comets .

Awaiting them outside was a vast police presence including six extra police dogs in case the film caused a riot as it had done in other areas.

A few well known Teddy Boys made a quick get a way after the film by feeding pork pies to the police dogs.

Over in the Scala Ball Room, Runcorn Harry Corker had organised a Tommy Steel contest. In the final of this local talent show were Tommy Oakes, Gerald Daley and the Cross Rock Skiffle group from Hunts Cross.

The outright winner of the contest was David Jaycock, Rod Houghton came second with a song called Diana, third place went to Gig Owen. It was the first time a clapometer was used to decide the outcome of a talent contest in the area.