Ten-year-old Patricia Anne Cain was chosen as the St. Mary of the Angels May Queen in 1952, the ceremony taking place on Sunday 18 May that year.
She was the daughter of Peter and Mary Cain, of North Street, Batley with Peter being the school caretaker. Patricia Anne was following in family footsteps, with her maternal aunt Winnie Colleran being the parish’s 1933 May Queen.
The 1952 event proved to be a historic occasion, marking the first time the ceremony had extended beyond the church precincts. In previous years the solemnities were confined to the enclosed space of the school and church, but in 1952 the procession passed along Upton Street, Crescent Street and Richmond Street. In response, the Catholic householders along the route hung out religious pictures decked with flowers, banners and streamers.
The Batley News report described the occasion as follows:
The May Queen wore a long gown of white satin with a coronet of white flowers. Her train, which was embroidered with sequins and the words “Ave Maria.”
Train-bearers were Ian Kilroy, John Dransfield, Terence Swift and Joseph Elders. Maids-of-honour were Kathleen King, Bernadette Firth, Eileen Murphy, Sandra Harrington, Maureen Broady and Patricia Berry.
Leading the long procession were the Altar Boys headed by the Cross Bearer, then came the infant boys in white satin suits and the infant girls, also dressed in white, carrying arum lilies.
Last year’s queen, Mary Harkin, followed with her train bearers, Vincent Smith and John Colleran, and maids-of-honour, Christine Smith, Sheila O’Hara, Rosalie Nunns and Maureen Breslin.
Members of the Guild of St. Agnes, who wore white dresses and veils, were led by Elizabeth Brazil, who carried the banner, and Moya Hill, Catherine Heaps, Jean Burton and Patricia Stenson, who held the streamers.
The cushion bearer, Jacqueline White, preceded the queen and her retinue.
An illuminated statue of Our Lady was carried by members of the Children of Mary, Eileen Walker, Connie Sharpe, Mary Mennell and Elaine Gallagher. Their banner was carried by Moria Kelly and streamers were held by Kathleen Scally, Kathleen Ineson, Maureen Muldowny and Jean Gooder.
Father L. Gallon followed the procession. Before the walk began the Rosary was said in church and later a service was held at an altar erected in the playground. Following the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, special prayers were said, such as are said at Lourdes during the pilgrimages, for the sick of the parish.
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