Description:Highfields Social Club team and Newcastle Borough Police team are pictured struggling for possession of the large sphere during their game of "push-ball", one of the novel attractions at the Milford Hall Cricket Club fete.
A profit of over £100 was made at the annual fete which was held in ideal weather on their cricket field on Saturday 6 July. The money would be used for improvements to the ground and the equipment. The fete was arranged by a special committee, and attractions included rides on a miniature railway, a ten-a-side “pushball” competition between local teams, a children’s gymkhana and a road safety display arranged by Stafford Rural District Council. During the afternoon the Vicar, the Rev. W Merlin Davies visited the fete.
Seven teams entered the American “pushball” competition and the challenge cup was won by South End Working Men’s Club and Newcastle Borough Police, who tied for first place. They would each hold the trophy for six months. A barrel containing four and a half gallons of best ale was presented to the winning teams. Other teams who entered the competition were Stafford Borough Police, Highfields Social Club, Stafford Trades and Labour Club, the North End Working Men’s Club, and Brocton Football Club. The competition was arranged by Mr R C Pepper.
There were many entries in the children’s gymkhana. The eight events included a potato race, musical chairs and other novelty races. Fifteen year old Josephine Parrott of Barnfields Farm, Cannock Road, Stafford, secured six firsts and one second prize in the competition and the other two first prizes went to Carol Hammersley and Rosemary Brassington. Following the gymkhana, many of the young riders gave the children rides on their ponies.
The stall and competition holders were: Lucky Straws: Mr and Mrs T Kent and Miss R Coates, Minerals and Toffee Apples: Mrs J W Wilson, Mrs M Giles, and Mrs Joy Doody. Produce: Mrs F Dawson and Mrs M Leak. White Elephant: Mrs P M Wright. Roll a Penny: Mr H Davies. Bowling: Mr G Parrott, Col. J V Ashton and Mr A Broadhurst. Penny in the Pool: Mr A Giles. Skittles: Cyril Carr, J Wilson, John Pursehouse and Richard Vaughan. Lucky Cards: Mr K Parrott, Mr J Wilkins and Mr N McCulloch. Treasure Hunt: Miss Angela Imm. Lucky Dip: Mrs M K Matthews and Mrs T Clarke. Miniature Railway: Mr Dennis Edwards, Mr W H Fussell, Mr W Whalley and Mr R F Pepper. Clock Golf: Mr J White. Teas: Miss M A Tagg, Mrs N Pierce, Mrs C Jennings, Mrs W Tilstone, Miss Amy Ashcroft and Mrs H Davies. Stewards: Maxwell Elton, Robin Belcher and Anthony Parrott.
This photograph was published in the Staffordshire Newsletter on Saturday 13 July 1957. Reproduced by kind permission of the Staffordshire Newsletter who retain copyright.