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An emotional Carol Joan Crawford expressed gratitude for reception

Published:Thursday | December 9, 2021 | 10:17 PMA Digital Integration & Marketing production
Miss World Carol Joan Crawford smiles demurely and relaxes in the arms of Prime Minister Alexander Bustamante (right) before he presented her with a 16mm movie projector with sound and films of the Miss Jamaica and Miss World contests, on behalf of the Government of Jamaica, at the reception at Vale Royal on December 6, 1963. At left is Minister of Development and Welfare Edward Seaga.

Miss World, Carol Joan Crawford, was showered with gifts at her reception held at Vale Royal. Sir Alexander Bustamante was extremely happy to see the beauty queen and gave her a very warm greeting.

Published Saturday, December 7, 1963

VALE ROYAL RECEPTION FOR MISS WORLD

“WITH LOVE, AFFECTION, and kisses” said the jovial Prime Minister Sir Alexander Bustamante, and before an audience of nearly one thousand, he threw his arms around petite Carol Joan Crawford, held her in a bear hug and kissed her before presenting her with a present on behalf of the Government of Jamaica.

Sir Alexander was presenting Miss World with the last of three presents given to her by the Government at a reception in her honour at Vale Royal last night.

The Minister of Development and Welfare the Hon. Edward Seaga made the other two presentations: a picture album with photographs of the international beauty from her childhood to the present day, which includes the winning of two beauty titles – Miss Jamaica and the coveted Miss World year-long reign. The second gift was an album of press clippings of all the reports in world newspapers of the beauty’s recent European tour. These were made on behalf of the Ministry of Development and Welfare.

Sir Alexander’s presentation was a 16mm movie projector with sound and a film of the Miss Jamaica beauty contest and the Miss World contest, specially prepared in London.

Emotional ‘Thank you’

Carol, in saying her emotional “thank you”, expressed her pride at being a Jamaican and at the same time her pleasure at wearing the Miss World crown, thereby bringing joy to her homeland.

On Vale Royal’s open-air theatre stage the beauty stood between the two ministers while in the background the Byron Lee Band, which, minutes before, had he-raided her ascent to the stage with the song that has now become synonymous with a meeting of the band and Miss World, Portrait of My Love,” waited for its chance to provide more music. As soon as the short ceremony had come to a close the band broke into lively dance music, which had guests discreetly ‘jigging’ on the lawns.

Earlier on, guests were met on arrival by the prime minister and Lady Bustamante, who introduced them to Miss World and her mother, Mrs Edna Crawford, who also stood in the reception line. Many former beauty queens and contestants had a special hello from Miss World . From the Miss Jamaica contest were the familiar faces of Jean Murray, Patricia Dill, Beverly Holness, Marguerite Samms. Winners of other beauty contests who stopped for a special hello included Mrs Barbara Mock Yen (formerly Barbara Knowles – Miss Satinwood) and Theresa Allen, Miss Harbour View 1961.

Fashions

MEMBERS of the Jaycees turned out in full force to celebrate the result of their first sponsored beauty contest. President Pat Byles beamed with pride as he also received congratulations on the result.

Fashions among the ladies were glamorous and varied, and the latest fashion trend of long cocktail and hostess dresses with a side split to the thighs made their appearance.

 

Mrs Jim Lim and Mrs Danny Ennover both chose black and while mosaic-type material for their gowns, which were worn with black accessories.

The Jamaica Military Band also provided their share of the music, and long after they had played the national anthem, guests still lingered for a chat at what was undoubtedly one of the happiest parties of the season.

Among the guests were the Hon. Donald Sangster, the Hon. D.C. Tavares, the Hon. Roy McNeil, Senator the Hon. Victor Grant, the Hon. J.L. Cundall and Mrs Cundall, Sir Alexander Morley and Lady Morley, Mr and Mrs Peng Yu, Senator K.N. McNeil and Mrs McNeil, Mr and Mrs Hamilton, Mr and Mrs R. E. Mais, Mr and Mrs V. C. Smith, Dr and Mrs R. O. Cooke, Mr and Mrs John Evelyn, Mr and Mrs Laurie Ramson, Mr and Mrs Hugh Maxfield, Mr and Mrs Pat Stephens, Mr and Mrs Clive Morin, Mrs Barbara Gloudon, Mr and Mrs Derek Dwyer, Mr and Mrs Eugene Folkes, Mr and Mrs Deryck Gibson, Mr Ray Hadeed, Mr and Mrs George Attalla, Mr Winston Mahfood, Mr and Mrs Clinton DeSouza, Mr and Mrs Percy Junor, Mrs Beverley Hicks, Mr Neville Murray, Mr Herbert MacDonald, Mrs Carol Delapenha, Mr Carlton Levy, and Mr Douglas Vaz.

 

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