The first British Legion fete at Castlethorpe for many years was held last Saturday in the grounds of Castlethorpe Lodge, by kind permission of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Whiting. Before the opening a large number of children in fancy dress paraded through the village and were judged when they returned to the Lodge.
Mrs. R. Dickens, of Moulton, Northampton, in opening the fete wished it every success. The British Legion was in need of new blood and of young people with enthusiasm, said Mrs. Dickens, and she hoped that the women’s section being formed in Castlethorpe would gain many members.
Mrs. Dickens was presented with a bouquet by the Castlethorpe Carnival Queen, Miss Dorothy Belton and was thanked by the Rev. D. Wingate (Vicar).

Later in the afternoon an archery demonstration was given by patients of the National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville Hospital. There eight archers, six men and two women, who came with their instructor, Mr. T. S. Hill, and helpers, Miss Janet Woods, Mr. J. Groves and Mrs. S. Pratt. Included in their demonstration was a display of archery darts.
After teas had been served in the barn and the stallholders had sold their goods, a demonstration was given by Wolverton Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, with Ambulance Officer Mr. W. J. Richardson. The team was Messrs. W. Ditum, W. Clark, P. Lantbery, G. Webb, and J. Green.
Judges of fancy dress were: Mrs. R. Dickens, Mrs. J. Whiting, Mrs. D. Wingate, Mrs. J. Trace, and Mrs. R. Wear. Winners were: Girls (3-5 years) 1. Estelle Tapp (Little Miss Muffett), 2. Pauline Webster (Queen of Hearts). 3. Annette Nichols (Little Nurse). (6-10) 1. Marlene Tapp (Windmill), 2. Barbara Smith (Minuet), 3. Linda Nichols (Hula-hula girl), 4. Jennifer Marks (Belisha Beacon).
Boys 1. Gerald Pittam (television set). (6-11 years) 1. John Pittam (Belisha Beacon). 2. Stanley Keeves (British Legion Badge). Girls (11-15 years) 1. Susan Lane (The Sack), 2. Caroline Bibby (Cleopatra), 3. Rita Sills (Hula-hula girl), 4. Jane Bavington (British Legion Badge).

Stallholders were: Mrs. N. Cowley. Mrs. A. Bavington, Mrs. R. Mills, Miss J. Bates, Miss Dorothy Belton, Miss Ann Gray, Mrs. S. Pike, Mr. J. Fraser, Mrs. H. Ray, Mrs. E. Ray, Mrs. J. White, Mrs. M. Keeves, Mrs. R. Welch, Mr. A. Meacham, Mr. G. White (gate), Mr. H. Homer, Mr. J. Carpenter, Mr. D. E. Sills, Miss U. Coey, Mrs. H. Gray; Mesdames J. Carpenter, S. Thomas, A. Cook, T. Homer, T. West, D. Pittam, and J. Lane (refreshments).

There were also some very well known characters around the fete depicting Walter Gabriel (Mr. J. Carpenter), Mrs. Perkins (Mr. F. Keeves), Dan Archer (Mr. J. Gray), Doris Archer (Mr. S. Thomas), Tom Forrest (Mr. S. Nichols), and Prue Harris (Mr. N. West).

The fete was organised by Mr. A. J. Bavington, and Mr. A. J. Cowley (secretary), and committee of Messrs. H. Homer, N. West, F. Keeves, J. Carpenter, S. Thomas, J. Gray, D. Canning, S. Nichols, H. Cook, D. Prickett, and R. Painter. A whist drive was held in the evening in the Carrington Hall. Winners of the whist drive were: ladies, Mrs. L. Bates, Mrs. J. Fraser and Mrs. Denton (Hanslope), and Mrs. P. Limbrey; gents, Mr. J. Sawbridge, Mr. T. Clare (Hanslope), Mr. B. Tapp, Mrs. A. Bavington and Mrs. Ward. The MC was Mrs. Welch.
Total amount taken at the fete was £84.