Beauty contests may not be so popular today, but in 1946 around 40 girls lined up hoping to be crowned Holiday Princess of Glossop.
As you can see from Chronicle photographer Harry Buxton’s shot, any one of the nine finalists would have been a worthy winner.
The Glossop heat, which was part of a national competition, was held over five nights at the Empire Cinema on High Street West, with eight or so entrants taking part each time.
A panel of judges marked them for ‘figure, health and beauty, deportment, manner and intelligence.’
But the audience had the final word with the volume of applause given for each girl affecting the choice of the finalist.
Two were picked from each for the final, but of the 10 selected Rita Schofield had to drop out as she sprained an ankle on the eve of a final that turned out to be a glitzy affair.
The nine girls walked onto the stage through ‘a red-curtained frame’ to a fanfare of trumpets and paraded up and down before being interviewed by cinema manager Eric Hudes, complete with microphone. This time the judges had the final word, but from the response from the audience when the result was announced, it seems they had got it just about right.
Voted into first place was Flora Scawcroft of High Street West, Glossop, who worked at Flexy Brushes. Her prize was £15, a big bouquet of flowers, and a blue sash with Holiday Princess of Glossop emblazoned across it.
Second was Madeline Roberts, who picked up £10 and was described as a mannequin. Her interests included dressmaking.
In third spot, receiving £5, was Marjorie Champion, whose interests were films and dancing.
The girls were also presented with flowers. All three went onto the Manchester heat with the chance of making it through to the All-England final.
If you know if Glossop has a regional or national winner, please get in touch.
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