Stanground Church (where I went a few times to Sunday school) was very close to a large field and, in 1955, there was some kind of family day event there which included a kids fancy dress competition.
I think that we had an advantage having a seamstress Mum who worked in the theater business because, although she did make Valerie’s Indian Maid costume complete with papoose and with Mary-Lou* in it, the beaded necklaces and other accessories were theater props! My Court Jester outfit was I believe 100% theater prop!
The local newspaper (Peterborough Citizen & Advertiser) was there and, as Valerie came 1st (I only got an “honourable mention!) they wanted to take a photograph of her. At Mum’s insistence, they included me in the picture!
It was also around this time that I started finding things! Somebody must have explained to me that if I find something, then I should take it to the local Police Station because that is where people go when they have lost things.
I found some sun glasses, numerous keys, penknives, scissors, pens, pencils and money over the course of time, all of which were taken to the Police Station. I guess I was there on a regular basis because they greeted me like a long lost friend whenever I turned up with my latest find! They told me that if anything was not claimed within a few weeks, it would be given back to me to keep. I believe I acquired an old screwdriver once, and a number of pens and pencils, but never anything else so I guess all the other items were claimed!
*Mary-Lou was Valerie’s doll from as far back as I can remember and was always her favorite.
A New Direction Perhaps? 
Your Mom did a great job on the costumes! And making you a Court Jester,,,,,well…..what a perfect fit! 🙂 LOL!
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She knew me well! 🙂
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Perfect! Memories bring such happiness that the moment almost seems to come alive. The picture is really beautiful and you guys look so happy! 🙂
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Thank you and yes, those were happy days. 🙂
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Colin, I really like this post/piece. I’m so glad you’ve ventured forth into sharing your own personal writing. You need to do more of it! The photo is wonderful as well. Hope you’ve had a great day. I’m sort of late making my rounds — sorry! :
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I am happy that you are enjoying taking this journey back in time with me! As for being late visiting? Not a problem as these Posts are open for Comments for 365 days!
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Kids fancy dress memories. Mine are from the 60s, and the theme of wild flowers. My sister was a poppy, my cousin a daisy and my yellow and green crepe paper outfit was supposed to be a buttercup. I swear that’s where my aversion for yellow came from!
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Childhood memories! The late 60’s (for me) was when the world changed drastically, from my perspective, and became a very serious place.
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Really great costumes. Your sister looks wonderful (as do you!).
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It certainly helped having contacts in the theater business!
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My Mom was a seamstress and I had some great costumes early on. However, I don’t remember the attention to detail to the same degree.
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Adorable vintage photo. How fortunate to still have it. 🙂
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Personal memorabilia is very important to me. I feel that to revisit these old photos; to thumb through my old trainspotting books; to look through my old collection of ship photographs, boys annuals and the like, together they help keep me “grounded”. I have so much evidence from my past that I have never felt distanced from it.
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