John Meads 2010
Parade Days in the 1960s - The Queens
1961 Queen, Barbara Ridgeway,
reading the royal proclamation.
Lesley Betts and Jane Beddoes
are her attendants.
1962 Queen, Diane Knighton, is
presented with the Bright Cup by
the ’61 Queen, Barbara Ridgeway
1964 Queen, Sheila Ellson,
accepting the Bright Cup, from
the 1963 Queen E……. Bailey
The newly crowned 1964 Queen, Sheila Ellson, flanked by her attendants Barbara Yates (left) and Eileen Moisey (right)
Mr & Mrs George Benford stand proudly beside their daughter Christine, the 1965 Carnival Queen. Her attendants are Teresa Randall and other daughter Kathy Benford
Christine Benford in her robes after
the ceremony
The successful contestants after the selection of the 1966 Queen.
L-R: Attendant Rita Barber, the Queen Carol Allen and attendant Yvonne Desborough
After the 1966 crowning at Fernbank, the home of Mr & Mrs Richard Loake, who are standing with the queen and her attendants. L-R: Mr Loake, Rita Barber, the Queen Carol Allen, attendant Yvonne Desborough, 1965 Queen Christine Benford and Mrs Loake.
Barbara and Clifford Allen with their
daughter Carol following
the 1966 crowning ceremony
Denise Desborough takes the
opportunity to have her photo
taken with her sister Yvonne
Later in 1966, Carol Allen organised a coffee evening at her parents’ home to raise funds for Xmas parcels for the elderly. She is seen here handing £40.3s.6d to Alf Caffrey, chairman of the Charity Committee
Miss Burton Latimer
Owing to a financial crisis, the Charities Committee decided not to hold a competition in 1967 but asked Carol Allen to continue as queen for another year. She is seen here with Alf Caffrey at the 1968 crowning ceremony
Alumasc Chairman’s wife Mrs C.R. Inwood crowns Lesley Gardner, the 1968 Queen, now with the title
“Miss Burton Latimer”
Carol Allen hands over to the new queen Lesley Gardner in 1968 while attendant Lesley Neville looks on
A family affair. Lesley with her two little brothers and ??? after the ceremony
Top – Owing to a financial crisis, the Charities Committee decided not to hold a competition in 1967 but asked Carol Allen to continue as queen for another year. She is seen here with Alf Caffrey at the 1968 crowning ceremony
2nd top – Alumasc Chairman’s wife Mrs C.R. Inwood crowns Lesley Gardner, the 1968 Queen, now with the title
“Miss Burton Latimer”
2nd bottom – Carol Allen hands over to the new queen Lesley Gardner in 1968 while attendant Lesley Neville looks on
Bottom – A family affair. Lesley with her two little brothers and ??? after the ceremony
The 1968 crowning ceremony was held at the home of Mr & Mrs Peck in Regent Road.
L-R: Alf Caffrey, Julie Randall, Lesley Gardner, Lesley Neville, Mrs Hilda Morby and BLUDC Chirman Albert Morby
Miss Burton Latimer 1968 Lesley Gardner flanked by Lesley Neville and Julie Randall
We can find no evidence of competitions to find a Gala Queen (or Miss Burton Latimer) after 1968.
In 1975 a competition was held to find a Combined Charities Princess organised by the Burton Latimer Committee for the Blind, Burton Latimer Scouts, the Swimming Pool Trust and Kettering Round Table.
