These good ladies of Queenborough were all members of the Mothers’ Union who met regularly at Castle Memorial Hall.

They sewed, crocheted and knitted all manner of clothes and jumpers for children of Third World countries, and supported charities nearer home by baking vast numbers of cakes and pastries for sale at bazaars and fayres.

Mothers Union is a Christian organisation with more than 3.6 million members in 78 countries world wide.

In Queenborough, in the 1950’s, membership appealed mainly to older women, or those not involved with young families at home.

They were a force to be reckoned with – campaigning and lobbying on issues such as parental rights, international debt relief and child poverty. All their work was underpinned by Christian faith.

Stan Rayfield, owner of this photograph can remember the surnames of some of the ladies.

“Never knew their first names and wouldn’t dare to have used them even if I did,” he said, “It simply wasn’t done to address any women your Mum’s or grandmother’s age by anything other than Miss or Mrs.”

He remembers some of the Rayfield family were members together with Wood’s, Masons’s. Norris’s, Willden’s and Turner’s.

We would like to know if our older readers have copies of this particular photograph or know why they posed for the photograph. Were they celebrating an anniversary or going on an outing.

Was something special planned for the vicar, the Rev Dawes?

Perhaps your mother, aunt or grandmother is among this worthy group.

Let us know. We are always pleased to hear from you.