Show is back on track (From Stroud News and Journal)

Show is back on track

BEAUTY queens from Stroud's past gathered this week to celebrate their former glory days and talk about their time in the spotlight.

The former Miss Strouds, and the only ever Mrs Stroud, were among the guests at the AGM of Stroud Show.

The upbeat meeting brought everyone up to date on developments at the show which promises to return phoenix like after a few years in the wilderness.

The current committee plans to plough a new furrow in the history of the agricultural show and shepherd it on to pastures new.

"There have been some lean years but we have managed to resurrect it," said show president Roger Cullimore.

"Thanks to all the committee members who've all done a super job." Mr Cullimore said the West Country friendliness so evident in Stroud was the thing he missed when he was away from the town and hoped to make it an ingredient of this year's show.

He was surprised to receive a clock and barometer as a token of thanks for 25 years service to the show.

"It's a lovely gesture and it's been a joy working for the show most of the time," he said. Edna Powell, chairman of the show, said the committee would be battling on to put on the best event possible and would appreciate help from any quarter.

Among the latter day Queens was Margaret Brinkworth, who was Miss Wings for Victory back in 1945.

"My sister Doreen Sadler was Miss Warship the year before," said 80-year-old Mrs Brinkworth.

"And my daughter Anita was show queen in 1970 so it's a bit of a family tradition." She said the wartime show had been a frugal affair and was used to raise money to help fight the Nazis.

"In my case I was helping to raise money for a plane," she said. Julie Kelly, who was crowned in 1989 and was the most recent Queen in attendance, remembered a more familiar day at the show.

"We had to walk on and speak to the judges and have a buffet with them so they could suss out our personalities," she said.

"We had top do lots of different things on the day and won a Beaujolais breakfast at the Bear at Rodborough.

"And I was asked to appear at lots of local events during the year, it was really good fun. "I've got a lot of good memories, it was brilliant. "Myself and two attendants had to head the procession."

After the business of the meeting was over attendees were treated to a slide show celebrating the history of the summer show in Stroud.

Those attending the AGM also chose a logo for the show designed by art student Hattie Peters.