Museum Outreach Team brings past to life for elderly residents

A visit from Holsworthy Museum’s outreach team brought the past to life for residents of the town’s Deer Park Nursing Home who were captivated by artefacts and photos linked to their local St Peter’s Fair and the tradition of the Pretty Maid.

Alyce Barber, Deer Park’s activities co-ordinator, said: “Pauline Underwood from the outreach team had so many interesting things to share with us – the residents loved it.

“She’d really done her research, and one of the displays she brought with her related to one of our residents, Susan Ivey.

“Susan – then Susan Dymond – was Holsworthy’s 129th Pretty Maid in 1970 when she was just 18 years old.

“The choosing of Holsworthy’s Pretty Maid is a traditional part of the town’s annual St Peter’s Fair going back to 1841 and we are really honoured to have a past Pretty Maid as one of our own.

“Susan very much enjoyed reminiscing about her time as the Pretty Maid and about her family.

“Another of our residents, Raymond Prouse, shared stories of his time as manager of Safeway and of the Coop in Holsworthy, and so enjoyed wearing the bowler hat Pauline brought with her that he was reluctant to take it off at the end of the session.

“We are very grateful to Pauline for providing such an engaging event and rekindling such lovely memories, and we hope to welcome her back again soon.”

Holsworthy Museum is a grassroots community resource run by volunteers and sustained by local fundraising. It is recognised for its collection of objects, photos and documents relating to subjects of local interest such as agricultural life, domestic and craft trades and the railway history of the area.