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The following are memories recalled by Mrs Selina Kirkham, as recorded by Hanover Housing Association in their book 'Tale of the Century' published in 1999.
 In the 40's and 50's. my husband Joe Kirkham, conducted a very successful orchestra who played at venues all over the country, his last years being at the Town Ballroom, Blackpool.
He appeared on the bill with many famous artists of that era, including George Formby, Kay Cavendish, Jimmy Jones, Elsie and Doris Waters, Norman Evans and the Beverley Sisters. He also broadcast on BBC radio, performing with Billy Cotton and Howard Baker, who were both maestros in their own right.
Joe was also a much revered adjudicator at dance band championships, and he wrote many columns in magazines advising musicians of brass instruments on how to look after their lips. Apparently eating a hard boiled egg before playing prevented excess saliva in the mouth, but also prevented dryness caused by nerves.
A handsome man, Joe was dubbed as a William Powell look-alike. In fact, the resemblance was so great that when the film star came to London, Joe was besieged by autograph hunters! I kept a scrapbook throughout Joe's career and people tell me that the many photographs of him in his tuxedo portray him as every inch the star!
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