A second article all about Copy Cats as St Andrew's in Cromwell gets closer to its 150th celebrations in November...

In 150 years of St Andrew’s Anglican #1 which featured the Copycat,  there was a little notice which read, “Copycat Ball Saturday July 8th…... Contact Bob Howard Ltd, phone 368.”

This was in the time of Tom Brown , who arrived as Vicar in 1976. It was in the years prior to the growth of population; the years of long dresses and big hair; of fairy lights and decorations festooning the Memorial Hall and elaborate or crazy masks  to be removed at midnight.

Shirley Howard recalls that days before the first Ball, only 20 tickets were sold, so she and Bob went up the main street and soon all tickets were sold . For the next few years tickets were a hot item; the numbers were restricted to 200, so people had to be turned away.

There was great live music for dancing; much talking to do and  a sumptuous supper from Muriel Craig,  the local queen of catering.

A remembered conversation, at supper, was about false teeth. One woman, confidently stating that her teeth had great stickability,  gave her top plate a little flick with her finger. Out it flew, landing in a bowl of fruit salad which was hurriedly returned to the kitchen.

Photos above come from the Ball held on 2 July 1977. Were you there?

With Balls a thing of the past, 2011 saw the first of the Variety Concerts held in  St Andrew’s church.   Held for several years they featured artists from around the area, and attendees were also treated to a pottle of St Andy’s  Apricot Jam.

St Andrew’s Anglican Church, the oldest building in Cromwell still serving its original purpose while serving the wider community, will be 150 years old on Nov 30th

For in more information, or to register for the event,  phone 445 1157 or 445 3356.

Noeline Watson