Music echoed through Wigton's John Peel Theatre on its 60th birthday as a forgotten part of local history took centre stage.

Formerly a Salvation Army building, the theatre celebrated the landmark event with The Magic of Music, a fundraising concert bringing together local musicians who found each other during the lockdown via the theatre's Virtual Open Mic Nights.

One of the evening's highlights was the unveiling of a memorial plaque to William Carrick. 

Amid renovation work in 2015, a memorial tablet dedicated to Carrick was unearthed in the building. 

News and Star: The memorial stone before cleaning, as found in the theatre's loft in 2014The memorial stone before cleaning, as found in the theatre's loft in 2014 (Image: Supplied)

The enigma of its origin was pieced together by the theatre and local Wigtonians via the Old Wigton Facebook page.

Thanks to local historical records and newspaper archives, like The Wigton Advertiser of 1888, Carrick's contribution to Wigton and to the theatre building itself was able to be accounted for.

Carrick himself was discovered to be a solicitor, known for pro-bono work for the poor, as well as an entertainer, similar to the legacy he has left behind in the building which has now become the theatre.

News and Star: The Magic of Music performers celebrate theatre's 60thThe Magic of Music performers celebrate theatre's 60th (Image: Supplied)

Chair of the theatre, Kate Jensen, said: "It was a really successful event.

"We had two Salvation Army captains who came to unveil the plaque which will go next to the memorial stone.

"It was really moving to hear about William Carrick who was instrumental in getting the building founded in the first place.

"I don't know how many people would have known the story about William Carrick.

"It's been a number of years that we've wanted to put the memorial stone back in its rightful place," Kate said.

News and Star: Many musicians who had met at the theatre's virtual open mic nights took centre stageMany musicians who had met at the theatre's virtual open mic nights took centre stage (Image: Supplied)

Special note was the rendition of Carrick's favourite hymn 'Sweet Rest in Heaven' by musician Ian Kellett which was commended by a Salvation Army captain.

"He didn't have any reference as to how fast it was to be played or the mood of the piece, the captain from the Salvation Army confirmed it was exactly how it should have sounded, which was really lovely," Kate said.

Looking ahead, tickets are currently on sale for 'Rock Soul Funk Blues' band The Mel Outsider Reformation at the theatre on May 17.