DOWN MEMORY LANE Seeking Miss Chichester

As part of the jubilee memories of people in the Observer area, we are keen to find out any information on Margaret Dummer, who was elected Miss Chichester in 1953.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Feb 2012, 10:00 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 19:56 BST

The teen beauty queen led the city’s coronation procession on June 2 that year – the day after her 17th birthday. Miss Dummer, who was 16 at the time and lived in Woodcote Avenue in Westerton, beat 12 other entrants to take the crown.

Bearing a strong resemblance to a young Elizabeth Windsor, the story in the Observer at the time read: “Miss Dummer appeared in a green party frock and white shoes. She has dark, curly hair, hazel eyes, and is 5ft 4ins tall. This is not the first time she has taken a public bow: she is extremely keen on amateur dramatics and has appeared in several productions in Chichester. Her ambition is to become a proficient actress.

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“As a member of the Pallant Players, Miss Dummer appeared this week as Cecily in The Importance of Being Earnest. A month ago she was in a one-act play presented by Chichester Girls’ Club. She also belongs to the Canon Gate Players and was seen in their productions of The Other Inn and The Lady Mislaid.”

If you have any details about Miss Dummer or the coronation celebrations in 1953, email [email protected] or write to Unicorn House, Eastgate Square, Chichester PO19 1JN.

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