The Wolverton Express June 30th 1961

Crowning of “Miss Castlethorpe”

Queen - Sue Lane crowned by Maureen Synnott
Queen Sue Lane crowned by Maureen Synnott, attendants, Sue Keeves, Rosemary Marks, Andrew Frost, Estelle Tapp, Yvonne Smith
Left to right: Sue Keeves, Rosemary Marks, Andrew Frost, Estelle Tapp, Yvonne Smith

“A most generous village” was how Mr. A. J. Cowley, chairman of the village hall fund committee, described Castlethorpe at a garden fete held in the grounds of Castlethorpe Lodge last Saturday. Practically the whole of the village proved this to be true by attending the fete and helping to raise £126 5s. (less expenses) for the general improvements to the hall.
As an illustration of the good work that had been done by the young peole using the hall. Mr. Cowley said that at Christmas those who had been running a weekly record session turned from rock ‘n’ roll to carol singing, and raised money to buy the old people in the village Easter eggs.
Mr. Cowley introduced Mrs. J. E. Whiting, who opened the fete, and thanked her and her husband for the use of the Lodge grounds. Mr. Cowley also thanked the members of the committee and particularly Mr. Bert Tapp (vice-chairman), who had done a great deal of the hard work.

Parade marshal Tom West, with the  Queen and her attendants arriving at The Lodge.
Parade marshal Tom West, with the Queen and her attendants arriving at The Lodge.

Bright and gay

Mrs. Whiting said that her family had always taken a great deal of interest in the Hall. During the war a nucleus had been formed with the aim of building up a better village and the village hall, or community centre as it was then called, was one of their chief aims. After many setbacks, it had fallen into the hands of Mr. Cowley and a very lively committee and since then improvements had followed one after the other. Now the hall was bright and gay, and comfortable.
Earlier in the afternoon, Maureen Synnott, last year’s “Miss Castlethorpe”, crowned her successor, Susan Lane. The ceremony was followed by a parade round the village headed by the New Bradwell Silver Prize Band. The cart on which “Miss Castlethorpe” and her attendants travelled was loaned by Mr. L. White. The attendants were Yvonne Smith, Rosemary Marks, Susan Keeves, and Estelle Tapp, with Andrew Frost as page. The parade marshal was Mr. Tom West.

Mrs. Whiting presented “Miss Castlethorpe” and her attendants with small gifts from the hall committee during the opening of the fete. They carried small baskets of flowers arranged by Miss Vera Clarke.

A fancy dress competition attracted only eight entries – the smallest number ever. Judges were Mrs. J. E. Whiting, Mrs. P. St. John, Mr. and Mrs. C. Bissell, New Bradwell, and Mr. and Mrs. Dawe of Witherfield, Suffolk, who visited the village a short while ago to entertain the old people.

1961 - fancy dress entries

Winners were: 1. Jennifer Marks (No more strikes). 2. Gerald Pittam (Chip off the old block), and 3. Teresa Stuart (Pins and Needles). A prize for the most original entry was awarded to Eileen Sibthorpe and Rosalind Harper (Boat Race).

A country dancing display was given by pupils of the Castlethorpe Junior School, under Miss A. Eakins and Miss. Buxton.
The committee members, who arranged the fete were Mr. A. J. Cowley (chairman) Mr. B. Tapp (vice-chairman), Miss. J. Lane (secretary), Mr. R. West (treasurer), Mesdames A. J. Cowley, Ward, H. Ray, F. Carter, and P. Bavington, Miss. U. Coey. Messrs. S. Nicholls and T. West.
Stallholders were: Large skittles, Mr. D. Cole, and Mr. R. Brown; lucky dip, Miss. C. Keeves, Miss. C. Bavington, and Miss. C. Ward; peg board, Miss. P. Bates, Miss C. West, and John West; ice-creams and minerals, Mrs. Welsh, Mrs. Carter, Mrs. W. Marks, and Terry Sills; cakes, Mesdames P. Mullins, D. Pittam, and R. Mills; tombola, Medames, J. Sawbridge, J. Lane, Ward, and J. Frost; holiday spinner, Mr. W. West and Mr. F. Keeves; pound stall, Mrs. F. Lane and Miss. Sibthorpe; pony rides, Mr. J. Sibthorpe and Miss. Eileen Sibthorpe; competition, Mr. B. Tapp; teas, Mesdames A. J. Cowley (convenor), H. Cook, F. Keeves, B. Evans, G. White, F. Bavington, A. Robinson, B. Stephens, H. Ray, Macmillan, and Miss U. Coey; gates, Mr. G. White, Mr. C. Bywater, and Mrs. Welsh.

Tom West with three of the attendants talking with guests on the lawn at
Tom West with three of the attendants talking with guests on the lawn at
The Lodge