"It's a little light relief" - 'Warden Braithwaite' casts a seasoned eye over Sheffield's current lockdown situation

Having lived through two world wars, he’s just the man to offer some much-needed perspective on our current lockdown situation.

And thanks to the wizardry of modern technology - which he’s still getting his head around - the warden’s morale-boosting messages are being beamed out to the whole region each week.

“Warden Braithwaite was a character I developed to act as a compere in our 1940's shows,” explains Gary Birtles, who has been working as a performer in South Yorkshire for more than 15 years.

“He is a Mr Hodges type character, from Dads Army, trying to keep the troupe in order, and he has appeared at our concerts across the country - including Sheffield City Hall, in front of the Mayor of Sheffield, as part of our tour celebrating Dame Vera Lynn’s 100th birthday.

“When the lockdown came into place, we had to cancel about 50 shows this year; as it is VE75 we had a lot of bookings all around the UK, including Sheffield.

“I just wanted to be able to bring the warden out, and many acts are doing a great job singing online to entertain people stuck at home, so I thought it might be time for Mr B to offer his take on what’s going on.”

Gary, who lives near Crystal Peaks with his wife Lorraine, who is also a performer, has created a series of videos of Warden Braithwaite.

In each of the videos, which have had thousands of views online, the warden chats reassuringly to camera about the current health crisis, offering his thoughts and advice, often with a comedy element.

He also converses frequently with his sound technician Victor off camera, who exists only in Gary’s head.

Gary added: “I have been performing as Mr B for about 20 years now, and these latest videos have had a really good response.

“I’ve also launched a weekly online quiz now, with Warden Braithwaite as the compere, every Monday at 7pm, which anybody is free to join in with.

“The quiz doesn’t have to be done live, and I know some of the city’s residential homes have been using it as part of their weekly activities for their residents.

“I hope it’s bringing a few people a little light relief.”

Gary started out as Bjorn in ABBA tribute band, Voulez Vouz, before creating his own Elvis tribute show four years ago. His wife Lorraine - who performs as a Dame Vera Lynn tribute - took home the Marti Caine Award for Entertainment at The Star’s own 'Inspirational Women of Sheffield' awards earlier this year.

Of their new enforced period of downtime, Gary says the pair - who have 40 years stage experience between them - are looking on the bright side, adding: “At home it is giving us the opportunity to rehearse new songs and practice, so we’re ready to go when everything is back to normal.”

The quiz is available at ‘Salute to the 1940s’ on Facebook. Visit ‘Groovy Gazza’ on YouTube for the Warden Braithwaite videos.