Danny Boyle, Water Street, Radcliffe yesterday. Can you see the Town Hall in the background?

Radcliffe born film director Danny Boyle gained more gongs this week for his film Slumdog Millionaire. The film won 7 BAFTA’s including Best Director and Best Film. I’ve always been a fan of Danny’s films (Shallow Grave, The Beach, Sunshine) and Trainspotting is one of my all time favorites.

The current media scrutiny, that such an accolade brings, revealed some interesting facts on Danny’s relationship with his (and my) home town of Radcliffe. I read that he’s a member of St Mary’s Social Club, the back street club that my parents frequently visit (Apparently Sunday’s ‘Free and Easy’ night is an absolute riot!)

Hopefully when I’m next over at my folks house (like Danny I don’t live there anymore… although I’m only a few M60 junctions away) I’ll frequent the social club and hopefully see Danny in there with his name up on the snooker chalk board. Maybe I can react the iconic scene from Trainspotting in which Begbie rips the pool table cloth as a mark of my respect?!

Danny’s a Bury F.C fan also so he can do no wrong in my book.

Next week: Famous Radcliffe people. Part 2: John Spencer