Thank you to Margaret Brooksbank of DARG for taking the time to research these newspaper articles from 1932.  Wouldn’t it be good if someone had photographs in their possession that we could publish of some of the Methodist Church Gala fancy dress entrants, or any of the other events mentioned.

1932   Jan 8^th   
Local Dancing Successes.
Pupils of Miss MOLLIE EVANS were successful at examinations held in Nottingham on December 15^th-16^th under the auspices of the British Ballet Organisation.  Grade 2  JOAN SMITH of Birchwood Lane passed with honours, MARY TWIGGE of Somercotes.  Grade 1 KATHLEEN WARD of Pye Bridge passed with honours. 

1932  Feb 26^th
Ripley Co-operative Society Window Display competitions were held on Wednesday eening.  About 250 employees and friends attended the tea and awards were presented by the President Councillor Mr T FEARN.  Somercotes store won one of the awards.

1932  May 20^th
A Somercotes young man, Mr  JOHN RICHARD ORME, son of Mr & Mrs JAMES ORME of Somercotes Hill, has been successful recently in the BAKING WORLD.  At a Newport Bakers exhibition a few weeks ago Mr ORME was successful in winning a Gold medal for 2lb commercial white loaf, 2 Silver medals for commercial brown loaf and a Bronze medal for exhibition white loaf.

1932  May 23^rd
Miss ANNIE TAYLOR, 2^nd daughter of Mr & Mrs W TAYLOR of Leabrooks, at the commissioning of Cadets from the Training College, received her Commission on May 12^th at the Royal Albert Hall.  She had passed all the necessary exams and has been stationed at Shirebrook with the rank of Lieutenant in the SALVATION ARMY.

1932  Sep 12^th
Birchwood Methodist Church Gala Day fancy dress winners:-
1^st  MAVIS NAYLOR  “Little Miss Muffet”.  2^nd  NORA HAWKINS  “Jockey”.  3^rd  JOYCE HARDY  “Powder Puff”.
Consolation prizes:  FREDA JEPSON  “Sunflower”.  EDNA JEPSON  “Blue Butterfly”.  MURIEL LEBETER  “Spinning Top”.  After tea there was a find displays of Drills and Weightlifting by the Birchwood Health and Strength Club:   SYD GIBSON, DOUG BARNETT, CYRIL SMITH, DON BONSALL and SAM DOOLEY.