Big Red Book

Celebrating television's This Is Your Life

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THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Elizabeth Ambridge, charity founder, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews - with the help of Coco (Nicolai Poliakoff) - at the Bertram Mills circus at London's Olympia.

Liz, who was born in Eston, North Yorkshire, had planned to become a teacher of deaf children. However, at the start of the Second World War, she volunteered for the WAAF, working in the briefing room for the bomber crews at RAF Cottesmore in Rutland. After the war, she worked as a companion and a barmaid near Weybridge before relocating to London, where she worked for an advertising agency.

After the birth of her daughter, Elizabeth's life took a new direction. She opened her home to mothers in need, providing care for their babies and offering valuable welfare advice, all from her modest flat in Kensington. With the support of the Gulbenkian Foundation, she and her husband established the Ambridge Trust, purchasing a house in Lee Green to further her mission. By 1961, her tireless efforts had touched the lives of over 2000 mothers.

programme details...

• Edition No: 149
• Subject No: 149
• Broadcast live: Mon 30 Jan 1961
• Broadcast time: 7.30-8.00pm
• Venue: BBC Television Theatre
• Series: 6
• Edition: 20

on the guest list...

• Charlie Pusi
• Joe Barker
• Pat Moorhouse
• Midge Carney
• Bill Tovey
• Jack - husband
• Janet Kazeen
• Roy Brooks
• Don Myers
• Olive Cargill
• C J Latta
• Irving Allen
• note and cheque from Billy Butlin

production team...

• Researcher: John Sandilands
• Writer: John Sandilands
• Director: Michael Goodwin
• Producer: T Leslie Jackson

• names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life

A Charitable Life

the unsung heroes

Billy Butlin