HALESOWEN’S 1957 Carnival Queen has enjoyed being back in the limelight, promoting the revival of the event which will be held in July for the first time in almost 30 years.

But Joyce Knowles, aged 81, only became queen 58 years ago by chance after one of the finalists was disqualified.

Mrs Knowles recalled how she went with friends to the competition dance and was asked to stand-in when it was discovered one of the six finalists lived outside Halesowen Borough.

The 23-year-old, then Joyce Riley, being married to her first husband, was considered quite old to take the title for the event which was reinstated that year to commemorate the 21st anniversary of the town receiving its borough charter from King Edward VIII in 1936,

Her teenage attendants were Pauline Smith (nee Jones) whom she is still in touch with and Cynthia Burgess, while nine-year-old polio victim Pauline Eley, from Whiteheath, was the princess.

Mrs Knowles, remembers the thrill of travelling at the head of the procession on a carnival float, but admitted some of the occasion was “a bit of a blur”.

She was delighted to meet stars including Lenny the Lion with ventriloquist Terry Hall and comedian Ken Dodd who came to the fundraising carnival dances while taking a break from performing at the Dudley Hippodrome during her carnival year.

“Ken was lovely – he looked absolutely worn out from doing his show, but he didn’t charge anything for his expenses in coming to the dance,” she said, adding that the famous lion was also a big hit.

The discovery of Mrs Knowles’ place in history came about through Facebook.

“It’s been absolutely wonderful to relive the memories and I’ve spoken to so many people from years ago as a result, which is marvellous.”

She added: “I shall enjoy the carnival I’m sure – I just hope it doesn’t rain.

“They are working very hard to get it off the ground and I hope it gets a bit more support.”

The carnival committee is also hoping to find the last carnival queen to hold the title before the event was axed in1987.

Anyone with information or anyone wanting to help or sponsor the carnival which will be held at Huntingtree Park on Saturday July 4, should contact committee chairman Simon Walker on 07884 061724 or email halesowencarnival@gmail.com