Road safety and the fun of the fete in 1975

As youth club fetes go, the one held in Pulborough in 1975 was something of an epic.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Oct 2016, 13:44 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 01:33 BST

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

SUS-160928-132308001SUS-160928-132308001
SUS-160928-132308001

As well as the expected sideshows, there were hayrides, welly throwing contests, driving competitions and many, many fancy dress entrants.

The prize for most original entrant was somewhat topical both then and now.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Her name was Sharon Bafton, she was nine years old and her costume was called No More Strikes.

SUS-160928-132323001SUS-160928-132323001
SUS-160928-132323001

Junior doctors and consultants went on strike at various times in 1975 – the junior doctors over pay and conditions, while the consultants were protesting new contracts which they said would force them to abandon private practice.

With her suit, cap and curled moustache, it’s not clear whether Sharon was a consultant or a miner – they had been on strike the year before.

Other winners included 11-year-olds Elaine Heasman, Paula Mayes and Susan Huffer, along with nine-year-old Nicola Charles and 12-year-old Jane Parsons, who took the ‘best group’ title by going as dance troupe Pan’s People.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Before music videos burst their way onto the scene, groups such as Pan’s People, The GoJos and Legs and Co would dance along to the hits on Top of the Pops.

SUS-160928-132336001SUS-160928-132336001
SUS-160928-132336001

While the Pulborough gang were enjoying their fete, in Southwater things were much more serious.

The call had gone out for a pedestrian crossing to be built near the Cock Inn, so men, women and children would no longer have to risk life and limb trying to cross Worthing Road.

By the beginning of September, more than 400 people had signed a petition started by 59-year-old Tom Worsfold, of Oak Road. Tom spent his evenings going from door to door collecting signatures, which he then passed on to MP Peter Hordern.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

His success is there for all to see today, as there is now a pedestrian crossing a few yards from the Cock Inn.

SUS-160928-132352001SUS-160928-132352001
SUS-160928-132352001

Do you recognise anyone in these photographs?

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be among the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make our website your homepage at www.wscountytimes.co.uk

SUS-160928-132405001SUS-160928-132405001
SUS-160928-132405001

2 Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wscountytimes

3 Follow us on Twitter @wscountytimes

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!

The County Times – always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.