Mrs Charles Hughes
and her players
Mrs. Charles Hughes musical life started as far back as 1895, when as a brilliant teenage accompanist, she met her husband to be, Charles Arthur Hughes, a well known Merseyside tenor. She formed her own dance band during the "Roaring Twenties" and was resident pianist at the Cliff Hotel, Trearddur Bay. Tackling anything from classics down to jazz, she was accompanist to many choirs, including that of the late Mr. Hugh Williams, before forming her own choirs, both children's and ladies which brought many honours to the town. One of her most unique accomplishments was when she formed the Holyhead Ladies Harmonic Choir, both conducting and playing to the amazement of the adjudicators.
Adjusting herself to the younger generation, she teamed up with her daughter Dilys to produce some of the finest stage productions that north Wales had ever seen,
but the competitive spirit still prevailed,
like the Holyhead
International Folk dancers who competed in Madrid, Barcelona, San Sebastian, Palma de Majorca, and Zaragosa bringing home many victories!
It is not known when she produced her fist stage production for she produced so many! Mention might be made, however, of the late superintendent John Fair, Anglesey's Chief Constable, who wished to build a boys institute in the town, and did so with the help of Mrs. Charles Hughes, who produced on the stage of the boys institute some of her evergreen shows. Charitable organisations benefited form her talents -
the R.A.F Benevolent Fund, the Princess Victoria Fund, and many many more.
Her home completely destroyed by enemy action in October 1940, she walked out of the ruins to rebuild her life. How many thousands of the forces must have danced to her music, and how many romances must have started at the magical touch of her fingers on the piano.
Her signature tune "Moonlight and Roses" brings back many a nostalgic memory. One of her greatest joys was to see her talents passed on to her children, Dilys, Emrys and Betty. Betty, who starred in so many of her shows, and Dilys produced them, whilst Emrys supported them with his music. Her last stage production was "Sinbad the sailor" when, at 84 years of age, "Mama"(as she was known to all her "adopted" children) and Emrys played "Stranger on the shore" - the last time they played together after a partnership of 40 years. "Mama" - who was also Holyhead's first May Queen had left a gap which would be difficult to fill but will always be remembered.
"Passport to Romance"
1950's show in the Town Hall
"Battle of Britain Queens"
1950's Show in the Town Hall
Cae Mwd football ground H/Head - crowning Betty Hughes Victory Queen 1945 by Mrs. Dargie. Mrs. Dilys Charles Highes just behind her.
Party for the cast of a show in 1949 at Walthew Ave.
The "Baby Girls" 1947