Thanks to Suzanne and Alan for this report back from the opening of Cowes Heritage’s latest exhibition. Ed
Cowes Heritage, a voluntary group dedicated to recording and exhibiting the history of Cowes, Isle of Wight has mounted its eleventh display since its first in 2004.
Entitled ‘Cowes in the 1950s’ the exhibition is being held in the Regatta Office in Bath Road, Cowes until 11th November and is open 10am-4pm each day.
British subjects alive between January 1901 and February 1952 would have experienced six sovereigns on the throne. Since then, of course, we have had just the one ruler.
21 gun salute
At noon, on Thursday 7th February, 1952 a 21 gun salute was fired from the battery of the Royal Yacht Squadron, Cowes. A second salute was given at the time of the reading of the Proclamation of Queen Elizabeth II as sovereign.
Come 1953, the Coronation was marked by a souvenir edition of Radio Times and souvenir books of the Coronation and a Review of the Fleet are on display.
As a mecca of sailing Cowes has a rich maritime heritage. J Samuel White employed many locals on both sides of the River Medina. White’s developed the Princess Flying Boat. Cunard liners Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth were regularly seen off Cowes when either arriving or leaving their home port of Southampton.
Local legend Uffa Fox
Local legend Uffa Fox often competed in Cowes Week sailing with Prince Philip aboard the Flying Fifteen ‘Coweslip’. It was once said of Uffa ‘If it was Queen Victoria who put Cowes on the map, it was Uffa Fox who kept it there’
A young Ken Beken is seen on board ‘Rosabelle’ with his grandfather Frank who started the photographic dynasty. ‘Rosabelle’ has now been restored and can be seen in the Classic Boat Museum housed in East Cowes.
The fashionable fifties
Fashion in the 1950s is well represented with two original dresses on show. For the first time teenagers were a force in fashion and casual sportswear and synthetic fabrics were coming to prominence.
Clothes rationing had ended in 1949 and illustrations of day wear, evening wear, bridal wear as well as footwear and handbags can be viewed. Meanwhile, the Teddy Boy look based on Edwardian dandy fashion was a feature of the day.
One interesting facet is reflected in how many private milkmen, like farmer Norman Butchers, there were in those days. Each had their own distinctive and colourful milk bottle label.
Transport is a major feature, depicting not only the Cowes-Newport railway but Somerton Airport, which closed in the spring of 1951 and Cowes Pier demolished in 1955.
Not forgetting the music
Popular culture saw Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly and the Everly Brothers in the spotlight but the display on this topic also featured some local talent including Pat Reader and Brian Munro as well as Cowes Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society.
Crazes of the period included soda fountains, Poodle skirts, Bobbie Socks, Pony Tails, Hoola Hoops, the Jitterbug dance and milkshakes, cheeseburgers and fries.
Local carnivals and May Queen events are well covered as are a number of local weddings. They certainly liked large Wedding Cakes back then!
John Groves, Chairman of Cowes Heritage welcomed guests to a preview of the exhibition. He called upon Pat Hillier (nee Bishop) Cowes May Queen in 1953 to officially open the event.
Next Year’s subject is ‘People and Places’.
Photo shows Pat Hillier with the photo of herself (behind) when 1953 May Queen.
