A UNIQUE and colourful costume parade will showcase the plethora of outfits lovingly created by a beloved wardrobe mistress as well as raise funds to preserve her legacy.
Jean Radcliffe, a longstanding member of St Chad’s All Stars at Kilngreen Church in Diggle, spent more than 20 years creating thousands of costumes to light up the stage.
From flowing silk dresses to courtly attire or jesters outfits, along with boxes full of accessories and props, the collection fills the wardrobe ‘shed’ and is beginning to take over the stage.
So now, following Jean’s death on 30, October 2014 aged 85, her family and friends are rallying together to create a larger, permanent home for the collection in Jean’s memory.
Around 20 All Stars will take to the stage for a special catwalk show on Friday, May 1 to parade the costumes, along with music, dance and John Hudson as compere for the evening.
Proceeds from the event, along with £850 in donations collected at Jean’s funeral, will go towards the group’s £2,500 target to create a new permanent home for the costumes.
Kate Millett, Jean’s daughter and chair of the All Stars, explained: “We’re looking to create some sort of bigger storage space to house these marvellous costumes permanently.
“We’d also like to set up a website to hire out the costumes and props to schools, other societies and individuals so we can share them with the community.”
Jean began life as a dressmaker, training in Blackpool before eventually running her own business – Junior Fashions – in Oldham as well as helping husband Ernest in his pharmacy.
She was also an active member of the Saddleworth Floral Arts Society, founder secretary for Saddleworth Ladies Circle, helped with Meals on Wheels, and later with the Civic Hall’s Luncheon Club.
She leaves behind four children, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren as well as countless good friends across the community.
The Costume Parade will be held on Friday, May 1 at Kilngreen Church, Diggle, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £5, including refreshments, and are available from Kate: 07890 826331.
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