MRS Jennifer Rouke spoke to St Paul’s Ladies Group on September 8. She began by saying that some time ago she had been given a packet of photographs recording the rose queen festivals at St Paul’s from 1950 to 1988 and had researched the stories behind them.

The 1950 festival was unique in that it was held at the home of the Turnbulls, local mill owners, and in the open air. After this all crownings took place at St Paul’s School.

Mrs Rouke explained how the queen was chosen. The girl with the highest Sunday School attendance was offered the opportunity to be queen. Then a retinue was made up comprising a cushion-bearer, heralds, train-bearers and attendants from other Sunday School children.

Mrs Rouke picked out a number of interesting facts about festivals over the years including a “hat-trick” achieved by the Hill family. Mum Jean, who is ladies group treasurer, had served as rose queen in 1954, and was followed by her daughters Carol and Julie in 1979 and 1982 respectively.

Many of the group members shared their own recollections of their involvement with the festivals, including two of the present committee who had served as queen in the early 1970s, and there was great interest in the photographs and other memorabilia with which Mrs Rouke illustrated her talk.

Mrs Doris Hibbert thanked the speaker for a wonderful evening of memories. Sue Lumsden