DYING WISH GRANTED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23542, 4 July 1938, Page 12

DYING WISH GRANTED

SONG BRINGS HAPPINESS HER LAST “ REQUEST NUMBER ”, Bv relaxing one of their cast-iron rules, the British Broadcasting Corporation granted the dying wish of an 83-year-old woman, When Mr John Haigh, a well-known Blackpool baritone, gave a broadcast, recently, there was one song he insisted on singing, and the 8.8. C., who usually have the last word in such matters, not only made the concession, but did so gladly. The song was I Walked Beside You,” by Alan Murray. Of the millions who must have heard it, therewas one who knew it was being sung especially for, her. . She was 83-year-old Miss Betsy Birtwhistle, who lay dying in Mr Haigh’s, native village of Tottington,- near Bury. ’ Years ago Mr Haigh sang this ballad at the village Methodist chapel. It was a favourite of the old lady, who knew the singer when he was a boy. Through a nephew she got in touch with him and begged him to sing the song once more. Made happy by the promise readilygiven, she borrowed a wireless set and listened eagerly while the song was being broadcast. A few days later she died.