SOUTHAMPTON was the first city outside London to host the Great Ormond Street Wishing Well Appeal – with the help of Prince Charles.

Before the Prince had even pulled up outside the Mayflower Theatre on December 1, 1988, more than £100,000 had been raised for the famous London hospital through the sale of programmes and tickets.

Escorted by Lord and Lady Romsey, the Prince met with the organisers, and some of the 2,000 strong audience.

The last in line to be presented was eight-year-old Jenny Evett, an ex-Great Ormond Street Hospital patient.

The packed house rose to greet The Prince as he took his seat at the centre of the dress circle front row.

Comedians Billy Pearce and Dave Lee jokingly teased the Prince, and Broadway veteran Celeste Holm, who starred with Frank Sinatra in High Society, belted out a song.

Appropriately for Southampton, the show had a nautical theme with songs like Dames at Sea and South Pacific

THIS WEEK…

  • A pint of milk cost around 23p.
  • 596 died and half a million were left homeless after a cyclone hit Bangladesh.
  • Now That’s What I Call Music dominated the UK album charts
  • Robin Beck was number one in the UK singles chart with First Time.
  • The movie Scrooged with Bill Murray was topping the box office.
  • West Coast Gangsta Rap was gripping the world following the release of NWA’s album Straight Outta Compton.
  • Popular video games at the time included Super Mario Bros. 3.