Friday 08 August 1952
Threatening clouds affected the crowds attending the annual Burtonwood Dahlia Queen celebration on the Chapel Lane field on Monday afternoon. Up to 2 p.m. the arrivals were very thin, but afterwards when the clouds dispersed, the crowds began to arrive though not in sufficient numbers to create a record. As usual all the fun of the fair was available, and everything went according to plan. The procession through the village was just as colourful as ever, with gay tableaux, mounted characters and decorated horses.
The streets and lanes were bedecked with flags, while garlands of flowers hung gracefully from many windows and door porches.
As the Queen elect, Miss Sheila Gore, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. Gore, of Penny Lane, Collins Green, made her entrance with measured steps at the Chapel Lane entrance, she was greeted with warm applause. She looked charming in a long flowing gown of white tulle over taffeta. Her attendants Elsie McKinnell and Sheila Waters were in lemon net dresses over taffeta and the page boys, J. Unsworth and D. Robinson, who carried the Queen’s train were in white satin. The train was of heavy purple velvet appliqued with dahhas.
The crown-bearer, Roy Fox, sword bearer, Lionel Kenwright, and Sceptre bearer, Kenneth Anders, were in velvet court dresses with powdered wigs. The Princess was Elizabeth Lawrence.
The Retiring Queen, Bernadette Connor, was in apricot coloured taffeta dress with a velvet cloque applique. Blue and yellow satin was worn by her attendants, Hilary Heigh and Margery Eccleston. The page boys were I. Thomas and J. Roscoe.
The dais for the crowning ceremony was a blaze of colour with hanging baskets decorating the stage. As the Queen elect walked up the steps to be crowned the large crowd in the arena stood as she took her seat. Then quietly, vet dignified, Mrs. Pierpoint, a former headmistress of the Burtonwood Council School, placed the Crown on the head of Sheila to whom it was the happiest moment of her life, and with her smiles bathed in sunshine she walked away from the dais to the cheers of the crowd. Her appreciation was clearly visible and in reply she waved, and occasionally curtsied gracefully.
The M.C.’s we’re Mr. and Mrs. Lowcock and Mrs. Kerrigan.
The event was run by the Festival Committee, of which the Chairman is Mr. G. Spurling and Mr. Peter Jones, secretary. After the crowning had been performed 450 children of the village were entertained to tea. The cost was out of the Forshaw Charity Fund.
Newton and Earlestown Guardian – 1952
