Mexborough and Swinton Times Friday, June 2, 1939
Carnival Queen – Keen Competition for Wath Honour
Twenty years old auburn-haired Ella Wigfield, of 6, The Grange, West Melton, was chosen as Wath’s Carnival Queen at midnight on Friday
Ella is a shop assistant and between the congratulations of her friends and the green-eyed admiration of the other dancers in the packed Empire Hall she told our reporter that it was one of the most exciting days of her life.
She is an athletic young girl, likes swimming, has a head of fiery auburn hair, dances well and was nervously restless during the adjudication.
The contest was the culmination of the efforts made by Wath Hospital Sunday Carnival Committee for the carnival next month.
The Judges.
The dance floor was crowded two hours before midnight. The judges were Mr. Arthur G. Holland, of the Sheffield Lyceum and two of “Les Girls,” who were with his show last week—Miss Vera Clough, blonde juvenile “Grace Moore” who was dressed in yards of muslin, and dark brunette Miss Joan Marriott in a powder blue caped frock.
The semi-finalists, Misses B. Hutchinson, M. Dickinson, J. Morden, W. Logan, K. Ellis, IC Woodward, E. Wig_ field, G. Silwood, J. Kelly and L. Hill were each given a number and to the accompaniment of a smart march by the band, walked round the Hall, the judges in the centre.
Notes were made and we went into sub-committee in an adjoining room leaving the girls to restless speculation outside. Miss Wigfield came out top by a narrow points margin, marks being given for appearance and deportment.
Attendants in order of appointment were: Peggy Dickenson, Winnie Logan, Joan Kelly and Lily Hill.
High Standard.
The adjudicators said they considered the Wath girls set a high standard and the winner was “very charming indeed:’
The undoubted success of the evening was due to the careful planning of the dance section of the carnival committee under Mr. Roland Hodgson, the secretary and Mr. Sam Castle, the treasurer, the Ladies’ Committee who, as ever, are the backbone of these functions, Mr. V, Anthony who helped to provide refreshments, Mr. E. Lumb who gave a rug as a competition prize and to the enthusiastic patrons who in both numbers an spirit assured the success of this enterprising charitable function.