Macclesfield Silk Queen

[Barbara.H]

I have a photo of a great aunt who was Macclesfield Silk Queen 1932.  Can anyone tell me about the silk queen tradition? I can't find much about it online. 

  Barbara

[mshrmh]

Barbara - I can't tell you anything about the Silk Queen, except to wonder if this was equivalent to a Carnival Queen, for example.
If no-one has other information, you may find something by contacting the local library
http://www.cheshire.gov.uk/Library/library.htm?id=31
or the Silk Museum
http://www.silk-macclesfield.org/visit-our-museums/index.htm

[Barbara.H]

Thanks, I'll try an email to the silk museum.  Do you happen to know what the most likely local newspaper of the time would be called - for a library or archive query?

  Barbara

[mshrmh]

Hi again Barbara - I'm only aware of the current Macclesfield Express (part of the Manchester Evening News group) - there may have been others in the 1930s. If Macc. Library doesn't have papers going back, I do know that Cheshire Records Office has a wide collection on film.

[annabelleH]

Hi Barbara, I have quite a few books on old Macclesfield, and in one there is a picture possibly of Brenda Goodwin.  The first silk queen was Lilian Jervis in 1930 who worked for a local silk producing firm.  The idea was to promote silk across the country, similar apparently to cotton queens in lancashire.  The silk queen also appeared in the local carnival.  The tradition died out and was briefly resurrected in the 1970's.  The local Silk museum should be able to give you much more info than I can, I realise I am responding a bit late and you may already have plenty of information.
regards
Anne

[Charlie Brown]

Dear Barbara,
My Auntie Mary was the first Wool Queen crowned in Dewsbury Yorkshire in October 1931. I have a newspaper cutting from the Dewsbury Reporter dated Oct 14 1994 when they interviewed my Aunt then aged 83 years, about the event. The newspaper cutting gives the following information which might interest you.
"Similar events were held throughout the country as each area ran competitions for a queen to represent local industry. There was the Silk Queen for Macclesfield, the Cotton Queen for Lancashire, a Rose Queen and a Railway Queen. Dewsbury being the heart of the Heavy Woollen District was chosen to represent the woollen industry.....................it became an annual event for many years to come".
She was crowned in a rather magnificent Tudor costume.
best wishes
Charlie

[Barbara.H]

Thanks Anne and Charlie, what interesting stories   

I found a record of two pieces of film at the North West Film Archive dated 1932 and 1933 http://www.nwfa.mmu.ac.uk:591/search/FMPro?-db=WebCat.fp3&-lay=Web&-format=search.htm&-view

Newsreel type films, so I will try to organise a day out to Manchester and see them if they are for public showing.


thanks again 

Barbara

[annabelleH]

Hi again Barbara
there is a very good magazine produced locally called "Old Macc" by the retired editor of the macclesfield express, he has excellent knowledge of macclesfield and would know all about the Silk Queen tradition, not sure how I can pass on details to you though? let me know if you are interested.
regards
Anne

[Barbara.H]

Thank you Anne  I will send you PM with my email address

Barbara