Happy times at the community centre

‘Who is the fairest queen of all’ is what three visitors and Mr and Mrs R Lake had to decide at a ‘Miss Rose of the Torridge’ competition dance organised by the Westward Ho! Community Association at their hall on Friday.

Eligible for the title were Carnival Queens and their attendants from surrounding districts.

Miss Rosemary Hosegood, the 16 year old Westward Ho! Carnival Queen, won the title. She is a shop assistant.

Runners up were two Bideford Carnival Queen attendants – Miss Hazel Shute who lives at 18 Rockmount Terrace, and 20 year old Miss Margaret Hooper, a dressmaker, of Woodtown Cottage, Alverdiscott.

A motor scooter was won in a competition by Mr L Gilbert, of Glenburnie Road, and a bottle of sherry by Mr Michael Wadey, of Lime Grove.

A Bideford Gazette reporter who noted the gay, colourful dresses, and the pleasant character of the dance hall, was told by Mrs McHale, how much all were indebted to the voluntary helpers.

A leading spirit is Mrs Morgan, who in addition to supervising the dance refreshments, herself sold over 1,000 tickets for a competition to help Community Centre funds. Over £240 was realised.

Gazette article dated 19 September 1958