Charlie, the 100-year-old ventriloquist’s doll, has come out of retirement! He is looking forward to greeting visitors now that Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre is open again.
It will be a return to old haunts for Charlie as he performed in the building – the former Royal Dockyard Chapel – with his then owner, Ernie James, proprietor of a Pembroke Dock bus company. Over many years their double act was very well known on the Pembrokeshire variety circuit.
Now Charlie’s ‘minder’ is Paul Elliott of Llanreath who inherited him from his father, Fred. Many people will have very fond memories of Fred Elliott and his magic show – known as ‘Mr E’.
Paul recently took Charlie to a BBC Antiques Road Show at Swansea where he was featured in the popular show.
Charlie with his ‘minder’, Paul Elliott. PICTURE: Martin Cavaney Photography