Veronica Hurst and Humphrey Lestocq at the Borough Hall, Stafford

Description:Film stars Veronica Hurst and Humphrey Lestocq are pictured during the Hawaiian Press Ball charity fundraising dance held at the Borough Hall, Stafford.

It was reported in the Staffordshire Advertiser on Friday 11 April 1952 that the ‘Press Ball in Hawaii’ which was held on the previous Friday evening surpassed all previous events for spectacle and splendour. The organisers, who were the Stafford branch of the National Union of Journalists, felt confident that the proceeds raised by Stafford pressmen would exceed the last year’s record donation of £300 for the Newspaper Press Fund and the N.U.J. Widows and Orphans Fund, and would be over £1,000.

More than 400 guests attended the ball, which was under the patronage of Lord Stafford. The Mayor of Stafford (Ald. C E Fowke) and the Mayoress (Mrs Fowke) were among those present.

The highlight of the evening was the appearance on the stage of Veronica Hurst and Humphrey Lestocq, both of whom spent nearly two hours autographing copies of “Moonshine”, the Press Ball magazine. Many of the guests and dancers are pictured crowding around the stage.

During the occasion over 50 prizes were distributed. The first prize was two first-class tickets from Southampton to Bremerhaven, aboard the United States Lines, liner SS America, which were won by Mr and Mrs E Rowland of Great Bridgeford who have attended every Press Ball over the years. Among the other prizes were a china coffee service and a pressure cooker.

Among the Press Ball guests and officials was Mr E Griffiths of Stafford Entertainments, Ltd. The Press Ball Committee under the chairmanship of Mr W V Jolly said that they were indebted to the many leading businesses and traders for their support and the prizes donated.

Acknowledgement: Thank you to Fiona and David Thacker for the additional information.

Reproduced by Kind Permission of the Staffordshire Newsletter who retain copyright.