Parade stole march on gala queen Judith (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Parade stole march on gala queen Judith
4:38pm Thursday 26th July 2012 in Looking Back
By Gill Johnson, Features writer
ROYAL DAY Judith, 1964 Worsthorne Carnival queen, is crowned by retiring queen Stella Horsfall
THERE were some red faces during the traditional Worsthorne Carnival back in the summer of 1964.
For the big parade, which assembled in the village square, set off without its gala queen.
Sixteen-year-old Judith Knowles, of Brownside, was posing for photos with her retinue, after her crowning, when the procession suddenly trumpeted on its way.
Carnival secretary J E Nowell set off in swift pursuit and the Burnley Army Cadet Band had to lead the parade around a nearby housing estate before Judith, and her entourage, caught up.
On the show field later Mr Nowell said: “I think there was a misunderstanding after I indicated to the parade to form up – and everyone marched off instead.”
The skill of Judith’s mother, Dorothy, with her needle and thread scored a double success for the family. Judith wore a white dress and train made by her mum, who also picked up first place in the dress- making competition, displaying one of her daughter’s suits.
Widow, 58-year-old Florrie Dibb, from Worsthorne, a cousin of comedian Frank Randle, remained the carnival’s fancy dress champion, by taking first place as Bride of the Year – her eighth consecutive success. The junior fancy dress was won by Barry, 7, and 10-year-old Carol Thornton, of Ennerdale Road, Burnley, who entered as a Mod and Rocker.
Albion Rovers won the seven-a-side soccer contest, beating St Mary’s Old Boys 6-3, from a record entry of 63 teams. Shirley Brown, of Talbot Street, Burnley, and her pony Jigsaw, became the first winners of a new competition for the best turned out pony and rider.
The title of North Lancashire’s most muscular man went to Arthur Radcliffe, a Nelson window cleaner, of Hallam Crescent. Ten years previously, he had been skinny, out of condition, and weighed in at just 8 stone. A father-of-three, he cut out smoking, began a healthier lifestyle, and a regular training regime.
He swept the board at the gala and, of all the brawny competitors, was the oldest, 35, the lightest, 10st 7lb, and the shortest, 5ft 4ins.
Arthur, who ran a physical culture club in Nelson, had also held the titles of Nelson Adonis, Mr Pendle Valley, and Mr East Lancashire.
