Wolverton Express 05 May 1967

Miss Castlethorpe



Fourteen-year-old Susan Keeves was chosen "Miss Castlethorpe" last Friday evening. Susan will receive her crown at the annual village fete, when her attendants will be Veronica Marks, Avril Ray, Alison Ray, and Sheila O'Connor, with Nigel Scripps and Tim Ray as pages.


The Wolverton Express 23 June 1967

Crowning a Queen

Queen - Susan Keeves being crowned by Wendy Tipple
Wendy Tipple crowning Susan Keeves who is surrounded by her attendants, Nigel Scripps , Sarah O'Connor, Veronica Marks, Timothy Ray, Alison Ray & Avril Ray
Nigel Scripps,Veronica Marks, Alison Ray,
Tim Ray, Sheila O'Connor, & Avril Ray,
Image Wolverton Express
The weather is always a gamble for the organisers of fetes and other outdoor functions. In the past the Castlethorpe village hall committee has often found they were the losing side. But not any more, for come rain or shine it will make no difference to the annual crowning ceremony of “Miss Castlethorpe” and the fete which follows.

Last Saturday for the first time the committee with Mrs. Joy Frost as its enterprising chairman accepted an invitation to stage the fete at the home and grounds of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Sawbridge at Maltings Farm where clean as a new pin barns could accommodate over 500 if the weather turned nasty. Happily they were not needed and it was in front of the big farm house that this year’s “Miss Castlethorpe” Wendy Tipple crowned her successor Miss Susan Keeves, who was surrounded by her four maids of honour Avril Ray, Veronica Marks, Alison Ray and Sarah O’Connor and page boys Nigel Scripps and Timothy Ray.
Mrs. Ann Russell of Hanslope, a columnist of the “Chronicle and Echo” opened the fete which, she said had several purposes. It was a chance to have a good bit of fun. But the village hall committee was also trying to raise money for the hall which needed new windows and enlarging.
The money collected that day would also subsidise the hire of the hall for village meetings said Mrs. Russell who was presented with a bouquet by the new Queen. In the field opposite there were many side shows all soon doing a roaring trade particularly the bingo where for sixpence a time you could win anything from a pencil to a bottle of wine.
The augmented Wolverton Town Band conducted by Mr. John Smith played selections and also headed the procession around the village.
Winners of the fancy dress were. Under 5. Kay Stewart, “Can you tell stork from butter?” Age 6-11 Ian Stewart “Gypsy Moth IV” and Michelle Markham “Twiggy”. Age 12-15 Annette Nicholls “Pirate Radio”, Pauline Webster “Eurovision Song Contest 1967” Most original Ian Markham “Departed Spirits”.
Gatekeeper for the last 14 years Mr. George White thought the takings would be well up to average. Sports for the children were organised by Mr. John Stewart and there were plenty of prizes. Come to think of it if there had been a prize for the tidiest village “Thrup” would have it!
Ladies challenged the men at cricket as an attraction for the fete. The ladies – all 16 of them scored 62 top scorer being V. Owen with 7. The just won by 3 runs.