The Tiller Girls Letters

06/09/2008

Hi ‎Bernard

I am writing to congratulate you on such a great Internet site - a fitting tribute to the troupes of girls known as the Tiller Girls. Such an improvement on the site since I last looked at it five-six years ago.

My grandmother was a Tiller Girl during the time of John Tiller and Jenny Walker. She was born Hilda Adey in 1895 but I'm certain she was not known by this name as a Tiller. She joined with her sister, Alice, and I'm fairly sure, one (if not both) used the surname of Tibetts. Both girls were from Aston, Birmingham and Hilda in particular was obsessed with the whole charm and appeal of Hollywood and the movies.

Two of several points I have been trying to establish are whether my grandmother met John Tiller in Manchester and if she was one of Miss Read's Sunshine Girls. From talks with my Gran, like so many others, she was absolutely magnetized by the whole Hollywood/Movies scene. I got the impression that she trained in Birmingham, whether that was with or prior to the Tillers I cannot establish. I understood she hated leaving the Tillers, but eventually did, in 1918, I think. I think she first danced publicly with the Tillers at Blackpool?

Hilda's sister, Alice, married Abraham H Lewis in early 1918 and later in the summer of that year Hilda married Harold Ridgway, the wealthy son of a Brazil timber merchant. Two of Hilda's daughters are still alive and live in Nevada. Joan Alys, the eldest, regularly flies to and from Birmingham at the good old age of 82.

I doubt if Lily Smart would remember either of the girls, as I think they just missed the period she was a Tiller.

I know it's not a lot of information but hopefully it will help you add to the Tiller archive.

Kind regards and best wishes
Jeff Fisher

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Maureen Miles NEE Robins

Dear Bernard,

I recently acquired a lap top to my delight I am able to browse through The Tillers Pages .

I joined The John Tiller Girls in 1947 at that time the school was run by Miss Doris Miss Barbara and Mr Smith. My first panto was the theatre Royal Leeds a Francis Laidler production, in those days the panto's started in December and continued until May we had a couple of weeks off then a tour or summer season for George and Alfred Black. The Blackpool Opera House being the number one in those days.

I was very privileged to have worked there in several of the summer shows two of which were transferred to the West End London's Theatre Land .My main reason for contacting you is the German T.V. show, I was one of the girls who made the trip .As far as I can remember we travelled to Germany day one did the show the following day then back to England day three. You are right it was for just one show Larry Adeler the harmonica player was one of the stars. What sticks out in my mind was the hotel we stayed at .During the war it was an under ground bunker and air raid shelter it had been converted into a hotel of sorts, no windows or restaurant just a reception desk and bedrooms .Did you also know a German Film company made a film about a tiller troupe they came over to London to shoot the routines. This was shot on the Adelphi stage, there were girls from the Adelphi troupe and also girls from the Victoria Palace. We never saw the film .but I do have a write up about it .Wont take up any more of your time I hope this information has been some help.

By the way I know and have worked with Eileen Tyrell on several occasions pleased to hear she is fit and well.

Kindest regards Maureen Miles NEE Robins

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Maureen was good enough to send us this article about the German Tiller Girl Film. If anyone can tell us any more about the film or where we can obtain a copy please let us know.

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