Talent contest selected a ‘Mr and Miss’ for the town

IT’S a competition firmly rooted in the history books, but in the 1970s, it was customary to hold a “Mr and Miss” contest.

The winner of such a contest in October 1974, Miss Anne Sailsbury of Main Street, Albert Village, was crowned “Miss Burton” and Mr Geoffrey Evans was crowned “Mr Burton” for the third time in succession.

They were chosen from the many entrants in the competition held at Burton Town Hall.

The evening’s entertainment featured many acts. The event was organised by John Humble in aid of Burton and South Derbyshire Independent Pool for the Sufferers of Multiple Sclerosis.

Judges for the evening were Burton’s Town Mayor, Councillor L. Young, and his wife; Mr. J. Osborne; Mr. A. Singleton; Mr and Mrs T. Hadfield; and Miss Pat Verey, the National Coal Queen.

Heidi Lay, of Bass’s Crescent, Castle Gresley, was placed second in the “Miss Burton” competition and Mrs Peggy Wood of Thornley Street, Burton, in third place.

Second place in the “Mr Burton” competition went to Mr R. Bower and third place to Mr. G. Sellers. Mr G. Evans also won the title “Mr Adonis” and Mr. R. Bower was placed second.

Stephen Mann won the “Junior Mr Burton” title and Mr A. Hall the over-35s contest.

An Olympic weightlifting demonstration was provided by “Precious” Mckenzie, Kevin Welsh and Stephen Mann and also on the bill was 76-year-old Olympic lifter L Rogers and Tony Ford, Commonwealth weightlifting gold medal winner.

A fine display by The Tiny Tots was enjoyed by the audience and other acts included a go-go dancer, comedian Dave Parslow and a demonstration by the power quads P. Holmes, M. Bridges, M. White and R. Archer.

The mayor thanked Mr Humble for the evening’s entertainment, the proceeds from which would go to help people with the disabling condition multiple sclerosis.