PHOTO OF THE YEAR

FEATURE ARTICLEby Ardella JonesBoxing and netballEstuary. One bullock slipped but scrambledashore – "cows are very good swimmers".A persistent problem is highlighted in onearticle: despite suspending a stuffedsparrow hawk on a bunch of balloons overSouth Refinery, starlings were a nuisance.A decoy golden eagle similarly failed, asdid "flashing lights, steam jets, rattles,windmills, girder-banging and flappingrags" and paint claiming to be "the perfectbird repellent", which the starlings ate.The November issue's item for the"modern-minded homemaker no longercontent with coal fires that roast you onone side, while the other freezes" remindsus how uncomfortable homes could be.Fortunately, "winter warmth and yearroundhot water supply" were on handwith a complete central-heating installationfor just twelve monthly-payments of 30/-.Pre-decimalisation prices look quaint aswell as absurdly cheap, with StanlowApprentices' Association off on a tour ofBelgium and Holland for £14.14s.0d,including hotels. Shelegraph readerscollected 92 1/2 lbs of silver paper forguide dogs and raised £1/13/1. I wonderhow much the "valuable Parker pen" inSeptember's Lost and Found cost?The Photography Club evidencestechnological change in their tips onsuspending a "bounce-flash" from the lightfittingfor that must-have shot of the wholefamily at Christmas dinner and using a"bare-bulb flash" to capture the Christmastree with a long-exposure for the fairylights. No texting digital snaps from yourmobile phone then!The photo competition points to socialchange with its "Bathing Beauty" category;a woman's place in Shell 1959 wasdefinitely in swimwear and pearls or at theTennis Section Dance, where "happymembers of the Canteen Staff", all female,celebrated a Miss Eileen Smith's 21st.Norma Slater, 16, from Stanlow OfficeServices, smiles from the page in gloriousblack and white; she won Miss GoldenSands, Rhyl, then Miss Wings 1959.Meanwhile, at Butlin's Holiday Camp,Pwllheli, Operations South's Mr. NormanBrewer's wife and daughter won theBounce flashMother and Child Competition for their"appearance, grooming and personality".The little ladies feature in an item on multipurposeoil, which service station staff inOhio, USA, noticed women were buyingin huge quantities – because it made"excellent suntan lotion". The NetballAssociation appeared to get its sportingpriorities right by finally choosing theiruniforms, and Ince hockey team werebeaten 5 - 4 by Acton Ladies.However, the opening of the new clubhouseat Whitby heralded modernity, with itsfashionable glass walls, "Picasso-like daubsin purple and black" and a colour scheme"only an architect could dream up, andhave the nerve to apply". Mod-consincluded: "air-changing system and underfloorheating", a TV room, sports hall, filmprojectors, rifle range, and sun terraceover-looking 21 acres of playing fields.Swinging Sixties here we come!SPA NEWS | 15