SPRINGFIELD AVENUE, KNOTTINGLEY
V.J. CELEBRATIONS

AUGUST 1945

Springfield Avenue, Knottingley, Celebrations

Last week, under the supervision of Mesdames T. Heath, C. Hunter, J. Hodgson, L. Lazenby and H. M Arnold, the inhabitants of Springfield Avenue, Knottingley, held their V.J. party.

Advantage of the fine weather was taken to serve tea in the open in the centre of the Avenue and about 30 children and 50 adults sat down at well filled tables. From 6pm until dusk, races and games were held for young and old and the children were served with ice cream and fruit. A large bonfire was lit and all the residents gathered around to enjoy fireworks and join in the community singing.

For open air dancing, music was provided by Mrs. Benson who also lent her piano, and she was assisted by Mr. and Miss P Robinson with their violins. At the close all who had contributed to an enjoyable evening were thanked and there was three cheers given for the women who had done so much to make the evening a success.  All joined hands and sang 'Auld Lang Syne' and the party closed with the singing of the National Anthem.

Earlier in the week the children had run a V.J. sale which realised £2.2s for the Pontefract Infirmary Funds.  A surplus of funds enabled the organisers to give 1s to each child in the Avenue.

Prize winners were:- Jean Martin, Margaret Day, Lance Cawthorne, Anne Arnold, Brian Hunter, Michael Cawthorne, Jack Wood, Tony Cooper, Margaret Miller and Olga Walker.

Potato Race: Boys - Geoffrey Travis, Girls - Mary Day
Long Distance Race: Boys - B. Lilley, Girls - Olga Walker
Threading The Needle: Adults - Mrs. Day and Sapper Rook
Railway 'Riot' - Miss. P Robinson.

Pontefract and Castleford Express 24th of August 1945

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