OLDER readers will recall when the district’s larger employers had a variety of social sections workers could join.

Activities covered included sports such as bowling, football and golf.

In March, 1936, on the day after the new Cunard-White Star liner Queen Mary came down from Clydebank to Greenock, the Telegraph paid a glowing tribute to a social section of the Greenock Motor Services bus company.

It described the GMS Entertainers as one of the best amateur concert parties in the town, who during the winter months ungrudgingly gave their services in aid of local charities.

The Telegraph was reporting on the opening night of ‘Fares, Please’ which was praised as an entertaining and spectacular variety show performed in front of an appreciative audience.

It would run for five nights in a venue I have seen referred to as the Argyle Theatre, Argyll Theatre and Argyll Varieties. The building, at the corner of Argyle Street and West Stewart Street, remains to this day.

The show’s reviewer stated that pride of place deservedly went to a striking nautical number, ‘Sons of the Sea’, which fittingly coincided with the passage of the Queen Mary from Clydebank, and deserved the applause it received.

On the comedy side, the sketch, ‘No Tick here’, was exceedingly funny and evoked roars of laughter.

There was also praise for the GMS Orchestra whose members gave every help to the artistes, and were an essential part of the production.

As common with opening nights, there were minor defects that the Telegraph reviewer was confident would disappear as the week progressed.

The reviewer added that it should be remembered the members of the GMS Entertainers would have had an exacting day on the road.

‘Fares, Please’ was recommended to anyone who desired a ‘tip-top’ evening’s entertainment.

Meanwhile, a recent column carried an image of Greenock West Station in the early days.

Here is how Cartsdyke Station looked in the 1960s.