Bottesford's Festival of Britain celebrations
Margaret Waudby's recollection
Sue and David Middleton
Festival of Britain programme cover
In the collection of Ted Rayson
The Festival of Britain opened in May 1951 in London. Its aim was to give the British public a sense of recovery and progress and to promote better quality design in the rebuilding of the country after WW2. The Festival of Britain also celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Great Exhibition in 1851.
Bottesford joined in the spirit of the occasion and celebrated the event during the summer of 1951.
A trip to London was organised for children at the school.
Bottesford School Festival of Britain Trip - 14th June 1951. Back Row left to right: Peter Topps, possible Frank Mumby, George Bolland, Herbert Plummer. Front row left to right: Joyce Skinner, Ann Ayling, Kathleen Moore, Janet Locke, Betty Allington, Caroline Charity
From the collection of Joyce Simpkin (nee Skinner)
Note the mention of the temporary 'Bailey bridge' across the Thames to the South Bank site of the exhibition
Letter to Joyce Skinner from Mr Laurence Dewey, the Head Teacher at Bottesford School, giving details of the forthcoming school visit to the Festival of Britain. Joyce had left school in the previous March
From the collection of Joyce Simpkin (nee Skinner)
In May 2011 Margaret Waudby recalled some details of Bottesford's Festival of Britain celebration.
Mr Heath of Beechwood House and Mr Allsop coordinated a week of celebrations in Bottesford, helped by Mr Len Barnes (representing the VC Hall) and Mr Cyril Palmer. After a ballot of young people in the village, Dorothy Calcraft was elected as Festival Queen. She was to be attended by Margaret Waudby, Doreen Maskell and Doreen Guy.
On the Saturday there was a parade through the village, led by the Queen and her attendants in a white open top car. In spite of rationing it was still possible for the Queen and her attendants to wear long dresses. Bridesmaids’ dresses and evening gowns were reused to great effect.
On left Mrs Edna Taylor pushing Mrs Reuben Jackson in a wheel chair. Ladies in black are Mrs Singleton and Mrs Emily Rayson. Between them in white is Mrs Joan Waudby. Behind in black is Mrs Emily Jackson. The three costumed ladies to the rear are Mrs Ada Bond, Mrs Edna Daybell and Mrs May Green
From the collection of Mrs Edna Taylor
Mrs Ada Bond, Mrs Edna Daybell and Mrs May Green
From the collection of Mrs Ada Bond
Bottesford Festival of Britain procession passing the Gas Show Rooms on the corner of Albert Street
From the collection of Ted Rayson. These photographs were among the first taken by Mr Ted Rayson. He has recorded many aspects of Bottesford village life during the years since 1951.
Members of village groups such as the WI, the Mother’s Union, Guides and Brownies and the Youth Club were in the procession. They wore costumes and some travelled on decorated floats to the V.C. Hall.
Either the Mother's Union or the W.I float processing along Albert Street on a lorry owned by T. Samuels
From the collection of Ted Rayson
Bottesford Guide and Brownie Festival of Britain Float, 195
From the collection of Mrs Ena Lane
Close up of Bottesford Guide and Brownie Festival of Britain Float, 1951: Front row: Jean Dunsmore, Janet Tinkler, Margaret Fisher, Joy Baggaley, wearing garland - unknown, Anne Jallands, Jennie Norris, Margaret Carter (front right of pole). Middle row: Pat Barnes. At the back: Anne Dunsmore, Angela Bradshaw, holding a Dove of Peace, Mrs Lane
Mrs Gale, one of the oldest residents of the village, performed the crowning ceremony in front of the V.C.Hall. During the following week, the Festival Queen and her attendants visited older members of the community who had not been able to attend the crowning ceremony.
Crowning of the Festival of Britain Queen in 1951 in front of the Bottesford VC Memorial Hall: Left to right: Mr Heath, Dorothy Calcraft, Mr Gale, Mrs Gale and Margaret Waudby
From the collection of Margaret Waudby
There was a service and church parade on the Sunday and during the week, a variety of activities were organised. These included a football match on the football field by the Normanton crossing, a special whist drive and competitive skittles matches to win a pig.
Festival of Britain Colour Parade going to St Mary's Church Bottesford, 1951: Dorothy Calcraft and attendants
From the collection of Mrs Ena Lane
At the end of the week there was a Festival dance and a Variety Concert in which the finale was a tableau featuring Britannia, dressed in white and holding a trident, surrounded by entertainers in the show.
Tableau at the end of the Variety Concert, Bottesford 1951
From the collection of Margaret Waudby