Saturday 23 June 2012

At the Fairground

An entry to Sepia Saturday. "Using old images as prompts for new reflections"

I had a postcard image of high speed enjoyment  on a big dipper but as I can't find it here is something of sedate speed although my hands must bee moving fast they are fuzzy. This is the seaside resort of Morecambe of which one of my most abiding memory is of the giant ice cream sandwiches. I wonder what the game of 'Feed the Golden Geese' was in the background. 

But I'm going to go forward in time from this photo when aged about 9 I  joined my friends Jean and Marie in the St John's Ambulance brigade. For a year our time was spent recognising symptoms and practising bandaging but then there was great excitement for our troop was going to go away on a parade. My memory is hazy of its purpose, it was some kind of rally,  but it was certainly a big deal.  We spent the next weeks doing first aid but mostly practising marching, turning and looking left and right plus ensuring our uniforms were in tip top condition for the trip. We were to be inspected by Princess Margaret, who was Commandant in Chief of the cadet section of the St John's Ambulance.  Our marching practice over we set off to join hundreds of other troops from across the country.  I have no memory of where we went I can only narrow it down to Lancashire but it was a huge venue and we lined up in our hundreds.  The Princess appeared in full uniform motoring along the serried ranks standing up  in a land rover but what intrigued us girls the most was the thickness of her make up.  To get back to the theme of "Sepia Saturday" when the marching and inspection was over we were dropped off here
all still in uniform and were informed by the booth attendants that as St John's Ambulance cadets attending the rally we gained free entrance and free rides. What a time we had, a treat made even better for its surprise nature.  Our pocket money would never had run to this.  When looking for photos of Belle Vue, which closed in the 1980s, I immediately recognised the entrance booths, but not the dinosaur.
    

10 comments:

Queen Bee said...

Enjoyed reading about the ambulance brigade & preparing for Princess Margaret's inspection. I'd agree the highlight of your trip was free entrance into the amusement park and free rides. What a fun surprise and great way to top off the special day.

Wendy said...

How funny you can't remember what or why but you have a vivid memory of Princess Margaret's heavy makeup. Hilarious! But it's a great story and wonderful connection to this week's theme. My daughter and I went to the Today Show and Meredith Vieira came out to greet the crowd. Whew -- I'd hate to see her washcloth at the end of the day. Celebrities look so natural on tv but that makeup is HEAVY!

Little Nell said...

What lovely memories and don’t you look happy on that ride? The Golden Geese attraction is certainly a puzzler; I wonder if they produced golden eggs.

Unknown said...

I am also intrigued by the fact that you remembered her makeup. That was a fun group to be with at such a young age.
QMM

Gaz said...

Great to read your memory

I grew up in Manchester and remember fondly being regularly taken to see the circus by my grandparents at Belle Vue!

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy said...

You guys were so cute on the boat ride. I always enjoyed the boat ride and was sure that I would be in big trouble if I ever fell out.

Thanks for sharing your memories of your trip; I can just imagine everybody working so hard on their marching and bandaging, lol.

Great post!

Kathy M.

North County Film Club said...

I loved your little history. What great memories - especially about princess margaret's makeup. Isn't it funny what memories stick with us?
Nancy

Dave said...

Happy memories Joy. I enjoyed your sharing them with us - Dave

Baby Gifts said...

It's funny that as soon as I see the colours orange and brown together I am immediately transported back to the 70's and 80's.

Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the Gardens said...

Interesting to read where all the memories of happy times come from plus great photos of times gone by.
Enjoyed.