Festival of Britain 19th – 25th August 1951
Originally conceived as a 100-year celebration of the 1851 Great Exhibition the idea of a festival caught hold and spread across the country. Gerald Barry, the Festival Director, described it as “a tonic to the nation”. There were hundreds of events associated with the festival but what was organised in Benhall?
If London can do it… so can Benhall!
“It is up to everyone in Benhall to make this week a success. There will be a prize for the best decorated cottage in the parish. There are also three prizes for the lucky number programmes.”
In Benhall a committee was formed with the ambitious aim to promote a whole week of Events for Benhall residents starting with a service on Sunday 19th August at 11 a.m. in Benhall Church. All profits made during Festival Week were donated to Benhall Church.
Image of Benhall Church by C.M. Allen from front of original Fesitval programme.
From the Festival programme:
MONDAY
Monday was a day for the local children starting at 4 pm with games and maypole dancing on the Hut meadow followed with a tea in the Hut. At 5.30 pm children’s entertainment with the official crowning of the Benhall Festival King and Queen. Only children from the parishes of Benhall & Sternfield and those attending Benhall School were to be entertained.
Were you there? Were you the Festival King or Queen?
Click on the image to expand.
The lady holding the girl with a ribbon in her hair is Hilda Nicholls holding Pauline (aged1). Below Hilda with dark hair is Christine (aged 3). They lived at Bigsby’s Corner.
Left of Hilda, the lady holding fair-haired boy is Phyllis Whiting who is holding son Derek. On the right to the far end of the boys, the little boy sitting on the ground wearing a white shirt is Peter Howard and standing above him is his brother John.
TUESDAY
An evening comic football match in that Ladies versus Gents. What was the outcome? Followed by 8 p.m. Whist Drive (24 hands/games).
WEDNESDAY
The Kendrick Shield Football match between Benhall & Saxmundham. It’s difficult to tell who won, as both teams have been etched onto the small shield where normally only the winner is engraved.
The Kendrick Shield can be found in the History Group Archive
This was followed by a Grand Carnival Dance in the Hut with music by Miss Garrod’s Band. Novelty prizes & refreshments with a personal appearance of the Festival King & Queen. Ted Blunden was the M.C.
THURSDAY
The advertised ‘highlight of the week’ was a concert in the Hut. This was arranged by Mrs. Tucker selecting from local talent.
Friday appears to have been a day of rest.
SATURDAY
At 2.30 p.m. the Benhall & Sternfield Annual Memorial Flower Show and Sports. With a repeat performance of the Festival Concert at 7 p.m. and a Dance in Benhall Hut at 8.45 approx.
All things Festival! Inns, parks and buildings were named or renamed after the Festival: Festival Pleasure Gardens were created at Battersea Park and in Benhall – Festival Close was so named to commemorate the Festival of Britain!
If you were at any of these Festival of Britain events or can further identify yourself & others in the large photo then we would be very interested in hearing from you. Please email us or click on Share Your Story.
