HOLSWORTHY’S annual Pretty Maid ceremony was an event to remember, as 14-year-old Alice Banks was introduced to the town as their Pretty Maid for 2017.

On Wednesday, July 5, the sun shone for the crowning of the 2017 Pretty Maid, Alice Banks.

Alice, a very pretty, auburn-haired 14-year-old student, studies at St Joseph’s School in Launceston, and is the daughter of Sue and Mark Banks from Chilsworthy.

Alice told the Post that she was ‘very pleased’ to have been announced this year’s pretty maid. She said: “I think, because I don’t live in Holsworthy itself, I was very surprised when I heard that I was going to be the pretty maid. It was a big honour.”

Fourteen-year-old Alice has a busy and active schedule away from her school life at St Joseph’s, where she is currently studying for her GCSE qualifications. On Mondays, Alice has singing and piano lessons; on Wednesdays, she plays tennis for her local tennis club; and on Thursdays, she swims with Streamline Swim Club. Alice has also recently started her Duke of Edinburgh (DofE), which she is looking forward to completing.

Speaking of her new role, Alice added: “I was really pleased when I found out; it was a big surprise.”

Her mum, Sue, added: “She was delighted — I think that’s a good word to use. I was very pleased when I found out, but I was quite surprised.”

It is tradition for the previous Pretty Maid to pass on her flowers to the successor. However, the 2016 Pretty Maid, Eloise Warren, could not attend the event this year, so a very special guest was welcomed to the ceremony.

Betty Oke was Holsworthy’s Pretty Maid in 1947, and celebrated the same special day 60 years ago, receiving a substantial amount of fame.

She told the Post: “In 1947, it was just after the war, so it (the Pretty Maid ceremony) was a novelty for the papers in London — so the Daily Mirror came down, and goodness, did they hassle and hassle.

“There were a lot of people in the army, who were still abroad, overseas, at the time. I ended up having 50 letters from the soldiers who had heard of the Pretty Maid.

“After I left the farm, I was working at my uncle’s at the jewellers, and he asked me what was going on with it, but I said, ‘uncle, don’t talk to me about it!’”

A tradition since 1839, Holsworthy’s Pretty Maid is chosen usually on her attendance at church, and is required to be under the age of 30. However, trustee of the Pretty Maid charity, Angela Blackman, explained to the Post that Alice had been selected due to her commitment and time at ‘Messy Church’.

As crowds gathered outside of the church and children clambered to get as high up as possible to catch a glimpse of the Pretty Maid, Alice was finally presented to the town after the town crier’s introduction.

Angela told the audience: “By his will, made in 1839, the Reverend Thomas Meyrick, whose brother had been a rector of Holsworthy, gave a sum of money to the trustees on trust to pay the income to an unmarried girl resident in the parish, who was ‘generally esteemed by the young as the most deserving, the most handsome and most noted for her quietness and attendance at church’.

“The trustees, this year, have selected a Pretty Maid whose attendance at church has, so far, quite rightly, been mainly limited to attendance at what is known as Messy Church, which for those of you who are not familiar with it, includes acts of worship specifically designed for younger parishioners.”

The audience heard that Alice has been a very active member of Messy Church. A member of Chilsworthy Methodist Chapel, as well as the Christian Youth Club — where she performs in both of the musical groups there — Alice has assisted the church toddler group and helps with musical and art activities.

Angela added: “I am sure you will agree that Alice is very deserving of this honour being presented to her today and it is my pleasure to congratulate her. This is a very special day for her parents, Sue and Mark, and members of her family who are here today to support her.”

Former Pretty Maid, Betty, then handed over the retiring Pretty Maid’s flowers to Alice, who knelt before the crowd.

Another memorable event for Holsworthy, it now leaves until next year, when the Pretty Maid for 2018 will succeed Alice.