Friendship is... the Word

The Victoria League For Commonwealth Friendship certainly lives up to its name — and always on Commonwealth Day, which is May 24. The league entertains the pioneers of the district.to afternoon tea and entertainment in the Abercorn Hall. Members collect their guests by car and then return them home after the function. All those people over 65 and who have been 40 years or more in the district are invited to attend. If you think that is pretty limiting, there were more than 150 people at the gathering. A parade of clothes from way back created much interest especially for

Messrs W. Wallis (left) and E. Cousins who are pictured with Vera Hays in this 1920s party dress.

Really enjoying their "cuppa" are Mesdames E. Simpson and M.Hargreaves.

Other guests included Mesdames B. Kennedy, P. Hawken and W. Hale

League member Mrs D. Fraser (left) with Miss M. Osborn

Mesdames S. E. Clark, E. M. Sinton and F. Flockhart

Mr and Mrs C. Kimber

Also present were the new president,— Mayoress Mrs H. H. Barker, who has been a member of the league for 40 years, and Miss N. Cotterill, the immediate past president. Miss Cotterill has just been made a life member of the league thus honouring her much devoted service to the organisation.

Others present at the function included, Mr C. W. Cowan (the oldest gentleman present, at 89).

Miss E. P. Davies (the longest resid-ing lady in the district, at 89).

Mr B. Pardoe (the longest residing gentleman in the district, at 72).

Mrs D. Donaldson (her birthday is actually on Commonwealth Day).

Mrs V. Sewell and Mrs P. J. Taylor

Mrs E. R. Scott, Mrs L. R. Hillman and Mr J. Winning

Mrs J. Greatbatch, Mrs E. Buckley and Mrs A. Hansen

Mr and Mrs W. Wallis

Also among the 150 were.

Mrs E. Conole (the oldest lady present, at 96). She is seated with Mrs M. R. McMillan (left) and Mrs N. J. Kearney. At back are league members Miss M. Cooper and Mrs M. E. Tomlinson.

Mr W. H. Horne.

Mesdames V. Gilmour, L. Mogford and J. Potter.

Miss E. F. Hill and Mrs. E. Blair

Mrs F. Wells and Mrs J. Milligan

Mesdames. H. White, C. B. Hyde and E. Paine

Miss C. Foster and Mrs N. Goodyear

Mesdames A. Hargreaves, A. Fitzmaurice and E. Underwood with Miss G. Mountford

Others enjoying themselves are.

Mrs M. Perley pictured with Miss M. Cooper.

Mr and Mrs J. A. Watts and Mrs M. Galpin (front) with league members Mrs D. Simpson and Mrs M. Heikell

Messrs W. Moody and J. E. Reilly.

Mesdames R. Lamont, A. Butler and M. Wood.

Mrs J. Murton (chairman of the afternoon group) and Mrs D. Miller looking after Mrs E. Stuart.

And waiting with enjoyable anticipation for the parade (next page) are, from left, Mesdames K. Smith, M. Mohan and J. Hatten.

Victoria League members who took part in the parade included

Kath Cranswick in a 1920s black-beaded frock and cape — complete with lorgnette (all the better to see you with, my dear!).

Win Varley in an 1860s brown and grey silk dress. It has a bustle (at the back, where else?) and matching para-sole.

Julie Watson wearing her great-great-grandmother's wedding dress of 1870.' It is cream silk and Julie carries the original artificial orange blossom.

Annette Primrose also parades a wedding dress of 1886, this one in grey taffeta.

Modelling a crinoline ball gown encrusted with pearls and crystal is Jane Horne

Beverley Powell wearing a very rare Honiton lace top over cream satin with leg O'Mutton sleeves

Florrie Balfour in grey georgette embroidered in black. Over it she wears an elegant braided black velvet cape which belonged to her grand-mother

A cream lace afternoon frock with picture hat is worn by Thelma Bell. With it she carries a scarlet sunshade which has a hand painted ebony knob

Elizabeth Jenkinson and Sandra McKenzie model nightgowns of the early 1900s. The candlesticks are also of that vintage while the towels they are carrying are edged with crochet. It was a very enjoyable afternoon for all concerned

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 240 : June 19, 1974

Friendship is... the Word