Forest Town Carnival Queens

In Forest Town during the 1950’s and 1960’s the crowning of the Carnival Queens was an event to look forward to. Each Carnival Queen was accompanied by six or eight beautiful dressed attendants, and a smartly dressed pageboy.

The queen and her retinue were paraded round the village in a ‘royal coach’ This was followed by the music of marching bands such as the – Derby Serenaders, Breaston Highlanders etc. all who later took part in a band contest on the Forest Town Welfare grounds. The organising of these festivities was done by Wilf Redfern and a committee. They were exciting and colourful events which are still talked about by many people today. Proceeds from the days were in aid of the Elderly Peoples Fund.

Betty Clarke & retinue 1951
Private Collection
Joan Percival with her retinue 1952
Private Collection
Mollie Lucas and her attendants 1953
Private Collection
Gillian Cartwright with her attendants 1954
Private Collection
Edith Belcher and her retinue 1955
Private Collection
Irene Lebeter and her attendants 1956
Private Collection
Maureen Jones with her retinue 1957
Private Collection
Janet Else and attendants 1958
Private Collection
Carol Hand with her attendants 1959
Private Collection

Comments about this page

  • My mother is in the 1955 photograph. I still have the photo that she got from the day. She is the beautiful lady on the left.

    By Julie Moyse (14/03/2023)

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