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Did Gwen Berryman live at Stevenage?

• Message 1. 

  Posted by HughMadgin (U9637220) on Monday, 10th September 2007

  I was told by a friend the other day that the actress Gwen Berryman lived for a while in a cottage in Church Lane here in Stevenage, before she was in the Archers. He added that it was 'well before she played Grace Archer', but was certain that it was Gwen Berryman (and therefore Doris, of course).
  
  I realise that this is not directly Archers-linked, but if there is anyone out there with a detailed knowledge of the life of Gwen Berryman, I'd be very keen to hear (have tried the usual routes via Google &c, to no avail).
  
  Many thanks,
  
  
  Hugh Madgin

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by RosieT (U2224719) on Monday, 10th September 2007

  According to Gwen's autobiography, she was born and brought up in Woverhampton, where she spent most of her time (with a few years singing and acting in London) before she was asked to play Doris, contract arrived on her 44th birthday. So it may have been while working in London, engaged to the young Welsh doctor who died.
  
  I have found this, though.
  
  "Not long after that, I went to open a garden fete in Stevenage. A pianist was there to provide the usual playing on music, but just as I made my entrance, she switched from the signature tune to 'Happy Birthday to You' and the entire audience broke into spontaneous song. Covered in confusion, I tried to back out, to let the birthday girl hold centre stage, until one of the organisers said: 'But it's for you, Mrs. Archer!' Ten, in horror, 'It IS your birthday, isn't it?' I was about to say it was, just to save the poor woman's embarrassment, when she added; 'I'm sure I heard Dan saying lst night that he had a surprise arrnged for your birtday today!' "
  
  She became increasingly poorly , and unble to reach the studio in Birmingham easily (it was upstairs). She certainly is associated with that area, and was awarded a title of "Midlandwe of the Year." She also writes of seeing a flat in Torquay, and having to "face the upheaval of leaving the Midlands."

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by HughMadgin (U9637220) on Saturday, 15th September 2007

  Many thanks RosieT. I have since asked someone who since 1938 has lived near to the cottages it is thought she might have lived in, but they cannot recall her. As they point out, she would not have been famous at the time.
  
  

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by Bushbaby (U2267041) on Saturday, 15th September 2007

  Gwen Berryman's family owned a shoe shop in Wolverhampton and the family home now bears a blue plaque with her name and details. She went to Wolverhampton Girls' High School and for a long time lived in Tettenhall, a suburb of the town.

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