Val McLane performing to a packed house at Washington Library

There were barely enough chairs to go round when Val McLane visited Washington Library on World Book Day. Over sixty people battled their way through icy wind and snow to stake their place at the event.

Brian Lister introduced Val McLane to a full house, giving a brief resume of Val's achievements, including the setting up of the Live Theatre in Newcastle in 1973 (with Geoff Gillham) and appearing in numerous theatre, television, film and radio productions.

When Val stepped forward, she didn't just do a reading - she did a full performance, including the three main characters from "Women In My Past", Great Aunts Sarah and Bella, and Val's mother, Laura. She finished the performance with her own song, "Women of Tyneside".