Guest blog post from Andy Steele who is writing about all of the Coronation Street barmaids since the show began in 1960. Today we begin with the first ten barmaids and now it's over to Andy who also blogs at www.andysteele90.wordpress.com
11. Dawn Perks.
Time in the Rovers: 4 shifts in September 1977.
Dawn was taken on at the Rovers after Betty had walked out due to a disagreement with Annie Walker regarding missing money. During her time behind the bar, she turned the male customer’s heads, and personalities clashed between her and Bet.
Bet was left in charge when Annie went to Jersey, she asked Dawn to start emptying the ashtrays, as much as she didn’t want to, she obliged. Dawn eventually left after she was asked to start cleaning the toilets. Dawn then informed Bet “if you want to be Queen of this flea-bitten little castle, you can keep it coz’ I can still do better for miself, I mean if this tatty little ‘ole in the corner is your idea of heaven, it ain’t mine. So clean out your own lavs!”
12. Arlene Jones.
Time in the Rovers: 2 shifts in August 1980.
Arlene was taken on by the brewery when Annie Walker was away and Betty was ill. Fred Gee took a fancy to her, and Fred being Fred thought he was in with a good chance. However, Arlene’s husband saw him off and informed him that Arlene wouldn’t be coming back. Unbeknown to Fred, Arlene had already told Bet that she wasn’t returning, thinking the Rovers was grotty.
13. Carole Fairbanks.
Time in the Rovers: 2 shifts in March 1981.
When Annie returned from her holiday in Casablanca, she was shocked to find that both Bet and Betty had walked out and Fred had been suspended by temporary manager Gordon Lewis. He had brought in two barmaids to take their place, one of which was Carol. Normal service was resumed after Annie Walker persuaded Bet and Betty to return when it was made clear how Betty would be left in charge in any future absences of Annie.
14. Diane Hawkins
Time in the Rovers: 2 shifts in March 1981.
Diane was joined the same time as Carole Fairbanks. She also was given the push after normal service was resumed when Annie Walker persuaded Bet and Betty to return. Despite protests from Gordon Lewis – the relief manager.
15. Suzie Birchall
Time in the Rovers: February to March 1983.
Annie took Suzie on when Betty was ill. Annie was impressed how she dealth with a situation involving Vera Duckworth when she accused Suzie of flirting with husband Jack. When all staff returned, Suzie was let go, in the tradition of last in, first out sort of way.
16. Kath Goodwin
Time in the Rovers: 6 shifts in April 1984.
Kath was a divorcee and was taken on at the Rovers by relief manager Frank Harvey. He was instantly attracted to her as was Fred Gee. Fred was then taken ill with pneumonia, and Kath got caught in the middle when Frank Harvey asked both Bet and Kath to go with him to a dance. Kath served behind the bar for only one week. Meanwhile Bet accepted Frank’s invitation to the dance, but turned up dresses as tramp in an act of revenge.
17. Maureen Barnett
Time in the Rovers: 3 shifts in January 1985.
An old friend of Betty’s Maureen was brought in by her to provide a helping hand. However, it was short-lived. She quit when she was left all alone, when relief manager Frank Harvey took Gloria Todd on a night out.
18. Gloria Todd.
Time in the Rovers: 1985 – 1988.
Gloria was taken on by relief manager Frank Harvey, but then was dismissed by Bet when she took over, due to inexperience. After gaining some experience, she returned to the Rovers and became a great pal of Bet’s. Gloria had many doomed relationships during her time on the street. She dated Corrie villain Alan Bradley, only to find out that he was two-timing he with Rita Fairclough. She then became smitten with Mike Baldwin and was extremely flattered to receive a lovely bunch of roses. Only to find they were from Jack Duckworth. Gloria also discovered that she was just a cover story for another affair Mike was having. She left the street after falling for the boyfriend of cleaner Sandra Stubbs – Pete Shaw. Gloria ended up being called a tart and a pint thrown over her.
19. Sally Metcalfe
Time in the Rovers: August – September 1986.
Before she got married to Kevin, Sally was taken on at the Rovers when it reopened following the fire. Not long after getting engaged to Kevin, she walks out after Bet her hours.
20. Alison Dougherty
Time in the Rovers: 2 shifts in August 1986.
Alison joined the Rovers staff along with Sally when the Rovers reopened after the fire.
Not long into working there, Alec Gilroy snatches her away to work at the Graffiti Club offering her £2 an hour. Bet is annoyed but has the last laugh, when Alison runs off with the club’s takings.
Guest blog post from Andy Steele who is writing about all of the Coronation Street barmaids since the show began in 1960. Andy also blogs at www.andysteele90.wordpress.com
All original work on Coronation Street Blog is covered by a Creative Commons License
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