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Thomas The Tank Engine - I met Thomas at The East Lancashire Railway station at Ramsbottom. Didn't get to travel on him as we went on another train with a face of  no fixed book. Didn't have a chat either as he only talks in the books but he was on the platform and I managed to    get  a picture of him with my daughter standing alongside. Also saw the Fat controller that day but wasn't sure if it was really him. The following year I saw Thomas again with full steam ahead and from a distance, travelling through the North Lancashire Hills, it looked just like in the books. A real magical moment.

Peter Thomson - Footballer, not to be confused with the TV pundit and Liverpool player Peter Thompson. I refereed Peter Thomson in the Lancashire Amateur League where he scored 4 goals with ease and at the end of the game I spoke to him and told him he should be playing at a higher level. I'm not implying it was solely me but he did go on to play for Bury F.C., Lancaster City, Altincham and even had a spell in Holland among other clubs. When his playing career finished he moved coincidentally onto our estate, as in a group of houses, not implying I own an    estate as in landed gentry. I do see him around from time to time and have the passer by chatter about football of course. As for the other Peter Thompson I saw him play for Liverpool against Manchester United in the 2-2 Charity Shield draw at Old Trafford in 1965 which was the first professional game I ever saw. In those days the trophy was shared. This is not a Claim as such although being at the game, and the namesake connection does have a tenuous link I suppose.

Sir Michael Tippett - The Twentieth Century English Composer gave a special O' level concert of his 'Birthday Suite for Prince Charles' , I spotted a gap     in the stage door and consequently started a charge of autograph hunters.He signed the School LP (which should have been a good fund raiser had some clown  not sent it to a Charity shop when the school cleared out it's vinyl records in an indiscriminate manner) and the scores of the pupils which the Head let them buy     for face value.I bought one aswell. The concert, if my memory hasn't ket me down was held in Leeds, at the home of Opera North.

Ricky Tomlinson. Never actually met Ricky but his son-in-law was manager for Liverpool Boys on two occasions when I officiated in the Finals of the E.S.F.A. competitions. One was at Anfield. I was also presented with a medal by his brother David Tomlinson who was the main man in the North West Counties Football League. I hope one day Ricky might record my referees song.

The Tornado -  I actually met someone who was on it's first run.The gentleman also known as Peter was a guest at Geoff and Marjorie Blinkhorn's Ruby wedding celebration (See also Josh Blinkhorn) and ended up on my table with other train enthusiasts.He jokingly asked if anyone wanted to shake his hand as he had actually touched the boiler of 'The Tornado' which I have to admit, at that point, was unaware of the trains significance.At that point I remained incognito regarding my role as claim to fame man but when it was home time I made a subtle move and shook his hand as a parting gesture after a most interesting afternoon. What was particularly interesting was that my good lady wife realised that I was not a lonesome eccentric.                                                                                                                  

Pete Townshend of the Who  sent me 3 letters, two of which were personalised and all were signed. I traded them with Andrew Henderson at www.tradingnothing.com where you can read the story.They were traded to Sheffield F.C. and subsequently auctioned. Will update when details confirmed.

Hazel Townson - Children's author. I met Hazel Townson when she gave a talk at Hollingworth High School in Book Week. I had a chat and her advice was find time to write everyday especially when coming home from work. Get on with it rather than sitting down for a cup of tea and relaxing. I bought the book and had it signed for my daughter. I have of course taken her advice and try and update this site as often as I can.

Dawson Turner - Rugby International (1846 - 1909) - see Mary Hamilton Palgrave -Turner.

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Uncle Chris -Local children's entertainer who has appeared in Coronation Street as The Punch and Judy Man and an extra seated in the Rovers. I deliver his paper and have the occasional chat. Attended one of his shows once when he was booked by my Son's friend's Dad for his birthday party. Uncle Chris was once booked by Jimmy Cricket for  his daughter's (Katie Mulgrew - Comediene) children's party when she was about 3.

Ian Ure -  (Arsenal and Manchester United Centre half).Got his autograph at The Cliff training Ground

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Vera Duckworth (Liz Dawn) - Met Vera at St.Monica's High School, Prestwich when she was guest at the Summer Fair. I mentioned my namesake connection to Corrie but she seemed a little confused. Maybe Len Fairclough was before her time or even a taboo subject after his decline from the show.

Dave Verner - (Drummer) - I went to watch Joe Marshall (Beat Fiction) performing a solo spot at 'The Town Hall Tavern' In Stockport. Joe introduced me to Dave who has drummed for Badly Drawn Boy and on the Easterhouse album 'Waiting for The Redbird' aswell as much session work. I had a lengthy chat about Dave's music connections and mentioned my Claim To Fame's which naturally he would be added to. He shook my hand a few times partly due to a slight over indulgence in alcohol but remained a really nice bloke despite this. He joined Joe on stage for an impromptu anti riot song. Christian, Beat Fiction's Drummer also joined Joe for 'Bad Eyes' in a rare vocal appearance to add to the multi claims.Incidentally  I collected Joe's amp from Spectrum in Whitefield having sorted out the repairs for him. (17/8/11)

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Peter Walton, Top Premier Football referee was at Staverton when I did my Instructor's Licence for the FA. Got to know him well and stood next to him in the group photo. He was responsible for giving me the Claim to Fame Man tag introducing me to top assistant referees Phil Sharpe and Glenn Turner. These three guys appear regularly on Sky TV's televised games and Phil officiated in a world cup Final between Germany and Brazil in 2002.

Weakest Link - Perhaps not so much a Claim to Fame as actually being famous. Tesco staff canteen came to a standstill when somebody shouted out, ' he comes in here '. I was spotted in Spain by my former neighbours and recognised by a lot of people for around a month of the broadcast. I came 4th and Anne Robinson asked if I ''always looked like an explosion in a mattress factory''.My exit included a specially written song which may well have been the first ever musical exit.

                   I came down to The B.B.C to appear on the Weakest Link

              Ann Robinson asked me questions which really made me think

                    Then the team voted me off I really don't know why

        Then I heard the famous words 'You're the Weakest Link Goodbye'

 Julian Lloyd Webber gave a concert at Padgate and I was responsible for taking him his half time cup of tea.

Roger Whittaker. I met the great whistler outside Talk of The North in Eccles , got his autograph and gave him a demo of one of my Dad's songs. It came back two years later. I don't think the famous painting 'Whistler's Mother', as featured in Bean :The Movie  was actually Mrs Whittaker.

Dr. Who - Some people  call me Dr Who because of my Jon Pertwee look.See also Jon Pertwee, Worzel Gummidge and Chris Eccleston.

Wikipedia - The peoples encyclopedia. I was once on wikipedia but some people decided I was a nobody. I was so pleased that they had grasped what the Claim to Fame concept was about. It does show the weakness of the internet though that any one can say things publicly and hide behind user names and the such like. Thanks to those people who suggested I should be on wikipedia but in the final analysis if wikipedia is based on fame and not information it is probably best that this website is my portal, as I know it is reliable, which is more than can be said of wikipedia, which started out with good intentions but has been damaged by the free for all mentality. I wonder if I will be back on when the book comes out or the hit songs start rolling in. Of course too much notoriety is undesirable as it would ruin the Claim To Fame concept. Update - May 2011 - I am now back on wikipedia for writing the Uncle Mac song, listed as English Songwriter P.M.Adamson.

Alan Wilkie, The Referee in the Cantona kicking a spectator incident was referee when I was 4th Offical in the Bury v Doncaster game. Have met him on several other ocassions at FA meetings and courses when he was a regional manager. Alan is also a writer and his works include 'One Night at The Palace'.

Tony Wilson - Hacienda and Granada. Tha Mancunian legend was at sixth form with my older brother. De La salle sixth Form College Salford.

Eddie Wolstenholme, Referee for the Oldham v Southend game when I was 4th official. He is featured in a Past Times book about unusual football incidents. He abandoned a game between Sheffield United and West Brom because he had sent off 5 players from one team. 16th March 2002 which became known as the Battle of Bramall Lane.He is also Head of Refereeing for the Lancashire FA.

Trevor Wolstenholme  played for Torquay against Spurs in the FA Cup and played Jimmy Greaves off the park back in the 1960's grabbing the back page headlines.His wife was my wife's teaching assistant.(Nursery Nurse) I have met Trevor at various school functions.

Barry Wom, Rutles Drummer. He was drumming at the Neil Innes Concert in Bury. What a legend. He stayed behind to meet the fans and autographed my ticket as Barry and himself. I was more thrilled than if I'd met Ringo.

 Worzel Gummidge was driving round the International Flower Festival at Liverpool on his quad thing and shook our hands as he went past.(AKA Jon Pertwee) One of the few celebrities I've met twice in totally different circumstances. Ironically I have been called Worzel Gummidge myself by the vicious football fans but must say I find it quite amusing.

Professor Ted Wragg - The great educationalist was a celebrated writer for The Times Educational Supplement with his satire and wit. I wrote to him once regarding his comments on the importance of his own music teacher and the subjects importance in the curriculum. He took time to write back personally, and without a computer.

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X - The elusive Claim To Fame. I have seen a Xylophone and an X -ray fish but sadly the fish was not a famous one so I am still waiting for the elusive claim. If I could get Patrick Moore to pop round to our house with his Xylophone, or maybe see if  he will play one of my tunes then my A-Z of Claims to Fame will be complete. I did watch Exeter Football club play at Gigg Lane but someone decided to spell it with an E. Xeter works in my book. Until then keep watching this space.

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You Tube I googled pmadamson once (well loads if I'm being honest) and 'pmadamson you tube' came up in the automatic search. I have of course got lots of films on You Tube so when I get a hit (as in a You Tube view) my Andy Warhol bit kicks in. When I get a comment or a message I get that brief feeling of what fame must be like and the odd one is a great feeling but all day must be a bit much I reckon.

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The Zoo - I went to a Zoo once where the PG Tips Chimpanzees were at home. Well they told us that anyway but they all look the same to me.