A beauty queen who met an about to become famous Beatle in Ellesmere Port in the early 1960s is backing a new booklet of memories.
Cassandra Simpson was both Miss Wolverham and Miss Wings (RAF) as the 60s started to swing.
More than half a century later she is supporting the Cromwell Road Memories booklet that includes the area she was brought up in, places her family worked at and her years of fame. It is published by Ellesmere Port Local and Family History Society.
Cassandra is featured on the front cover of the booklet with Paul McCartney around the time the Beatles were just about to become superstars. They performed in the Civic Hall which is where the stunning photo of Paul and Miss Wolverham was taken.
Wilf Goldstein, then mayor of Ellesmere Port, had organised the Miss Wolverham competition at the Civic Hall as part of the Wolverham Welfare Association’s activities.
Hoping for a chance in the competition Cassandra, who worked at Tolls Dress Shop, spent her entire week’s wages on a beautiful dress. Along with her attractive looks it paid off and she had a year of wonderful memories she’s never forgotten.
Other memories of that momentous year for Cassandra included the official opening of the Westminster Bridge on July 29, 1961. Her transport was an open-topped Bluebell classic car and in the celebratory procession across the bridge, following the official opening, she was second only to Selwyn Lloyd, then Speaker of the House of Commons.
Publicity work
She went on to do some publicity work after the Pioneer featured a large black and white photo of her at Chester Zoo which was picked up and published by the Daily Mirror.
She took part in the town’s carnival and a 5-a-side football match with the Wolverham Wanderers against the lads on Wolverham Park Road. The girls won but Cassandra believes there could have been a bit of match-fixing going on.
Sandra Harrison today still retains the elegance she had all those years ago as Cassandra Simpson. She has lived her life in the Port and is keen to promote its history.
Cromwell Road Memories with its intriguing story can be obtained from the National Waterways Museum and Trinity Methodist Church, Whitby Road at the not for profit price of £8.50.
