Sidley Welfare Committee
Baby Show 1946

Reader Robert Carey e-mailed: " I attach a photograph of a baby contest held in Sidley in June 1946.
"What makes it interesting is that I am sure that the lady sitting second from the right in the first row is the former Mayoress, Daisy Morgan, I believe it was held in the grounds of Sidley House.
"I am with my mother (forth baby from the left back row) and she marked the picture June 1946."
Sadly, Daisy is losing her sight so was unable to enjoy seeing all the other mums and their babies.
But she does have a phenomenal memory. Via her daughter, Brenda, she was able to put names to faces for us. Brenda says her mother has her brother, Ivan, on her lap. To Daisy's left is Phyllis Adams and baby Robert.
She can also remember that Kath Thornton was pictured and thought that her daughter, Margaret, was dressed as a nurse for the fancy dress competition.
Brenda and Daisy believe that Mrs Riley, then of Preston Road, is pictured with her son, John.
"The lady behind mum is Mrs Griffin with Ralph. The man in the tall hat is Jack Marchant. And the man with the tricorn hat is the Town Crier of Sidley, Mr Footner."

Margaret Cullingworth e-mailed: "I was neither a babe in arms nor a proud mum in this baby show group, but I am in the photo!
"In the centre front there's my late Mum Kathy Thornton (nee Arscott) chatting to the lady next to her and holding my four month-old brother Michael, and I'm sitting sideways in front of them.
"None of us facing the camera! What's that on my head? I was dressed in a nurse's costume for the Fancy Dress Parade .
"I can tell you precisely when it was taken - on the August 24 1946 at the Sidley cricket ground.
The fete was organised by the Sidley Welfare Committee (which evolved into Sidley Community Association).
"Here's the event being advertised in the Bexhill Observer on the day:
"With the laudable object of raising £100 for a children’s Christmas Party, Sidley Welfare Committee are holding a grand fete at the cricket ground today, Saturday.
"The opening ceremony is to be performed by ‘The Major of Sidley’ at 3pm and a varied programme of events has been arranged for the young and not so young alike.
"There will be a baby show, a children’s fancy dress parade, children’s sports, a comic football match, an ankle competition, a Miss Sidley competition, and a talent competition as well as a counter marching display by the Royal Sussex Cadet Band.
"The mayor and Mayoress, Alderman and Mrs Bowery, will judge both the Miss Sidley and the talent competitions.
A feature of the programme will be a tug of war competition, the entries for which will include the well known Red Pale team and teams representing the Hailsham Police and Cowbeech.
There is a £5 prize for the winning team. A dance will conclude what promises to be a most enjoyable and successful event."

SALLY Gander rang in to say that her husband, Geoff, is pictured with his mother, Mildred ("Millie") next to the Town Crier.