NEARLY 60 years ago teenager Helen Slater was crowned Poole Hospital fete’s first queen in 1955. This year she turned 75 and still has happy memories of that special event.

“I was sorting through some pictures in my attic and came across some pictures and news clippings of my mother when she was chosen to be the first ever queen for the Poole Hospital fete,” said Debbie Reeves who works in the Dietetics Department at the hospital.

The first Poole Hospital fete, organised by the Poole Hospital League of Friends which is thought to have formed in 1952, took place the year before when £500 was raised for the hospital which went towards buying curtained cubicles for the men’s surgical ward and curtains and sun blinds for the then St Mary’s block.

In 1955 the queen was chosen three weeks before the fete. Six finalists appeared on the stage of the Regent Cinema and were introduced one by one by Mr Gould editor of the Poole and Dorset Herald, sponsors of the fete. An electronic applause device measured the audience’s appreciation. The instrument was delicate only hand-clapping was allowed – “no shouting or stamping of feet”.

Helen Alice Slater, 17, of Baiter Street, who had the support of her parents and friends from Price’s the Poole fashion shop, where she was a nylon mender, was elected queen, winning a week’s holiday at a Butlin’s hotel, pocket money and a handbag. The applause she received registered 84 on the ‘robot’.

Maureen Baker, 16, and Pauline Frostick, 19, both from Poole were chosen as her ‘ladies-in-waiting’ or attendants.

The Poole Hospital fete, attended by about 6,000 people, was opened by George Cameron, star of Bournemouth’s New Royal Theatre show ‘Holiday Funfare’ and his leading lady Miss Dorothy Black with the Mayor of Poole Alderman C.E. Stokes.

“Miss Helen Slater, a slim, regal figure in white and royal blue velvet train borne by her attendants Miss Maureen Baker and Miss Pauline Frostick, in blue velvet capes, walked slowly along the drive preceded by the drums of the Boys’ Brigade. She was greeted by a bugle fanfare as she climbed to the balcony where Miss Black was waiting with the silver crown,” reported the Poole Herald.

The entertainment included Zena Martell’s Varieties, the Dawn Mannequin Academy, various stalls, skittles, pony rides, a fortune teller, dancing in the marquee until midnight and illuminations.The hospital fete became a fixture in the town’s calendar for around half a century, attracting many of the big name stars of the day.

Frankie Vaughan was among the singers to entertain the fete, in 1967, while in the 1970s and 80s it attracted many of the biggest TV stars of the day.

They included Eric Sykes, Hattie Jacques and Derek Guyler, who were all starring in the TV series Sykes at the time; magician Paul Daniels; actor Richard O’Sullivan, of Man About the House and Robin’s Nest; the Krankies; and Keith Harris and Orville.