VICTORY GALA 1946
To celebrate the end of The Second World War, Litherland like many other cities, towns and villages across the UK held a Victory Gala, which culminated in the crowning of a Victory Queen in the grounds of Litherland Central School in Church Road in August 1946

The Victory Gala was the start of the Litherland Gala, which ran until the early 1970s, and is still fondly remembered and its passing lamented by Litherland people.

The young girl chosen to be the Victory Queen and the first Litherland Gala Queen was Yvonne Holden who sadly died at an early age in 1973 at the height of her chosen career.
With Thanks to Joe Fenerty
VICTORY GALA PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
The procession began at Litherland Town hall, in Sefton Street, at 1.15pm, and went through Linacre Road, Empire Road, Hornby Boulevard, Longfield Road, Linacre Road, and ending in the Central School in Church Road.

It featured mounted police, morris dancers, the band of the 40th Royal Tank Cadet Corps, the Bootle May Queen Miss D. Higham, and Yvonne Holden, the Litherland Victory Queen.

At the school there was an athetics display, music from St Edward's Orphanage Band, a cycle polo match and the children's sport's day.

The Gala Committee chairman was Mr A.G. Walker.

The 24-page programme was printed by the Bootle Times, and cost 6d. The event raised money for Bootle and Waterloo general hospitals.
Yvonne Holden approaching the crowning dais with her retinue
With Thanks to Terry Boyland
Yvonne crowned Victory Queen 1946
With Thanks to Terry Boyland
Tribute to Yvonne Holden
With Thanks to Terry Boyland
Litherland & Ford Digital © Ronnie Cusworth 2002-2007