WHEN Cliff Richard announced a show at the Odeon in Glasgow in 1960, three schoolgirls were determined to be there.
They bunked off classes at the Convent of Mercy School to be first in line for tickets to see their idol.
And, last week, the three lifelong friends who now live in Australia, France and England reunited in Glasgow to see Cliff’s 75th birthday tour.
Teressa Lavery, Pat Jordan and Letitia Evans were 14 when they concocted a plan to ensure they saw Cliff in concert.
“We each told our parents we were going to stay at the other’s house, but instead went to the Odeon at around 8pm,” Teressa explained.
“We were first in the queue and tickets went on sale at 10.30 the following day. By morning, the queue was massive.
“Then we saw the head girl and a couple of prefects from school walking up the road. I went over and said we didn’t care if we were expelled we weren’t leaving the queue.
“After a brief chat they gave us money and said to buy them tickets too.
“On the night of the concert, all you could see around us were Convent of Mercy School scarves!
The three pals with Cliff and then reunited years later
“When our parents eventually found out we were told to never do it again.
“But of course we would we’d do anything for Cliff.”
They queued for tickets for the next four years and met Cliff in 1963 and 1964, when they presented him with cakes they’d bought from Bilsland Bakery.
And just like the ’60s, the women took along a cake for the singer last Tuesday night.
But this is no ordinary cake.
The intricate design includes Cliff’s Summer Holiday bus, his Portuguese home and his vineyard, as well as a photo reel of some of his greatest moments.
Cliff signed the cake, made by Teressa’s daughter Donna, before the concert and it’s being auctioned off tomorrow in the Beatson Cancer Charity’s Bake Off to raise much-needed funds.
“All three of us have been affected by cancer,” Teressa said.
“In May, my sister-in-law Anne lost her battle with acute myeloid leukaemia and she received fabulous treatment at the Beatson.
“I was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, Pat lost her young daughter to leukaemia and Letitia has had close family battle the disease.”
To bid for the cake, email your suggested donation and contact details to fundraising@beatsoncancercharity.org by noon on Monday 12th October.
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